Test of Adhesion and Cohesion of Silicone Sealants on Facade Cladding Materials within Extreme Weather Conditions

Abstract

This research was carried out as part of project MPO FR - TI4/332 – New Technologies of Bonded Facade Cladding with Anchor Elements with Increased Resistance to Corrosion.This contribution concerns tests carried out to investigate the tensile properties of silicone sealants for use with facade cladding materials. The experimental part of the research is aimed at ascertaining the technical properties of sealants via the cyclic alternation of extension and compression of test specimens in test moulds. For the tests, industrially manufactured neutral and universal silicones were chosen from three different manufacturers. The aim of the research was to discover any differences that might appear in their resistance against alternating maintained extension and compression of the specimens under extreme temperature conditions, i.e. a high temperature of (70+2) °C and a temperature simulating freezing, i.e. (-20+2) °C. The cladding material used was fibre-cement composite boards (known as Cembonit), ceramic and glass cement facade claddings.The result of the measurements taken is a summary in which effective and unsuitable combinations of sealants and test substrates are outlined. The main conclusion is the fact that it is not possible to responsibly choose a suitable material without taking appropriate measurements or having previous experience. A secondary conclusion to this article is the fact that there are significant differences between individual sealants in the results they provide in combination with specific cladding material.