Sealants are like adhesives in many ways. If fact, they are often considered to be together because some formulations can perform as either an adhesive or as a sealant, and some formulations actually provide both functions. Sealants, however, must perform distinctive tasks that put them in a separate category from adhesives. It is important that the sealant formulator recognizes and adjusts to suit these functional needs.
This article will review the special functions required of sealants. The methods by which the sealant performs these functions will be reviewed. Specifically, the application and performance characteristics of sealants will be addressed and correlated to the composition of the sealant formulation.