The difference between silicone and polyurethane adhesive
In the general definition of glue, it can be said that glues are adhesive materials for connecting various objects or materials together. Today, with the help of chemistry, all kinds of adhesives have been made in different shapes, applications and sizes. In this article, we intend to ignore the description of all adhesives and only discuss the difference between silicone adhesive and polyurethane adhesive.
What is silicone glue?
Silicone glue is one of the widely used glues in industrial and household fields, which is used to connect different surfaces. Silicone adhesives are soft and flexible and have good resistance. Silicone adhesives are usually used to cover gaps and seal bathrooms and toilets.
In general, silicone adhesives are a jelly-like substance that is made based on special technology and formulation with flexibility and desired resistance. After drying, these adhesives have good elasticity and stability even at very high and low temperatures, chemicals and also have resistance to air humidity. These features caused them to have many applications in electrical, electronics, automobile, aerospace and construction industries and in different physical conditions.
The properties and benefits of silicone glue
Silicone adhesives have many uses and in fact can be expected from them in all fields. In the continuation of this article from Raimand Tejarat, we will examine some of the most important applications and uses of silicone adhesive: Silicone adhesives have various uses due to their high resistance to heat, humidity and various chemicals. For example, universal silicone adhesives or aquarium adhesives are used to seal tiles, ceramics, and even doors and windows in all parts of the building. Among the uses, the following can be mentioned:
- درزگیری و تعمیرات منزل مانند درزگیری ترک کاشیها، عایقکاری اطراف ظرفشویی، چسباندن سطوحی مانند پلاستیک، فلز و شیشه
- عایقبندی آکواریومها
- عایقبندی پنجرهها
- آببندی شکافهای اطراف حمام و حتی درز کابینتها
- نصب آینه و شیشه روی سطوح صیقلی مانند کاشی
- آببندی ناودان، لوله و حتی ایرانیتها
- عایقکاری قطعات مختلف الکترونیکی و مکانیکی در خودرو
Apart from the above, silicone adhesives have many other uses, for more information, you can refer to the article What is silicone adhesive. Up to this part of the article, you got acquainted with the applications of silicone adhesive, but to better understand the difference between silicone adhesive and polyurethane, you should also familiarize yourself with the characteristics of silicone adhesive. Among the salient features of silicone adhesives, we can mention such things as heat resistance, flexibility, good durability, colorless adhesive after use, waterproofness, etc.
What is polyurethane adhesive?
Up to this part of the article, we talked about silicone glue, its types and uses; But to understand the difference between silicone and polyurethane adhesives, you should also familiarize yourself with polyurethane adhesives and their various uses. In general, polyurethane adhesives have urethane bonds, which are formed by an additive reaction between an isocyanate group and a compound with active hydrogen, such as a hydroxyl group. This special formulation of polyurethane adhesives has made it not necessary to increase the temperature for the progress of their reaction.
In fact, it can be said that one of the most important features of this group of adhesives is that they will have a stable structure after the reaction. Polyurethane adhesives are used in any material containing active hydrogen with the ability to produce polyurethanes with access to isocyanate compounds, such as foam products, powders, liquids, coatings and color bases, etc.
Features and applications with use of polyurethane adhesive
One of the differences between silicone and polyurethane glue is their application. Polyurethane adhesives have many different applications; Such as gluing floor coverings, home repairs, wood industry, furniture making, automobile industry, etc., in fact, this wide range of applications determines the special features of polyurethane adhesives. Among the applications of polyurethane adhesives, the following can be mentioned:
- استفاده از چسبهای پلی یورتان برای صنایع چوب
- این چسبها در برابر گرما، آب و مواد شیمیایی بسیار مقاوم بوده و برای بسترهای حساس مناسب هستند
Silicone and polyurethane
Silicone adhesives are the best anti-moisture insulation that is mostly used around showers, bathtubs, sinks, and toilets. Silicone glue is resistant to water and moisture penetration, and at the same time flexible, it is hard to scratch or change its shape. This glue easily sticks to metal, ceramic, glass and plastic surfaces and becomes its mold. These commonly used sealants are resistant to moisture and water penetration for up to thirty years, and their lack of color tolerance can be mentioned among their disadvantages.
Polyurethane adhesives are waterproof and very durable in terms of adhesion and hardness, as well as high resistance to tearing and pressure. Among the differences between silicone glue and polyurethane, we can mention the expensive price of polyurethane glue and its color acceptability; And this color-receptive property of polyurethane glue has made it particularly popular among car manufacturers.