Investigation of Performance Factors for Silicone Sealant Installed in 1958 as a Weatherproofing Material into a Building in Climate Zone 6

摘要

Sustainable building practices continue to have significant impacts on the materials and methods sought for construction of buildings of mixed use. Building design professionals look for materials that will last with no change to durability performance. Silicone sealants have long demonstrated their durability in performance in structural and weatherproofing applications, with a proven performance of 20 years. This paper presents findings of an investigation of silicone sealant removed from a commercial building where silicone sealant had been installed in 1958. Investigative techniques included determination of adhesion and elasticity of the sealant, as well as laboratory techniques to understand the sealant relative to the original formulation. The purpose of the paper is to illustrate the performance of the sealant and to compare it to silicone sealants that are used today in weather seal applications to control air leakage and prevent water infiltration. The building is located in Climate Zone 6 and the paper will discuss the relative climate history of the sealant exposure, as well as highlight significant environmental factors or events for the building location. The goal is that the conclusion of the findings will provide a significant resource to illustrate the use of silicone sealant and to document performance up to 50 years.