• A

    • Acetic silicone. Acid cure sealant product, i.e. acetic acid is given off while it is being cured. It may be transparent or coloured. It has a fast curing rate and is used for sealing glass and carpentry. It does not seal porous surfaces such as marble.
    • Acrylic sealant. Product manufactured with acrylic emulsions. It is not silicone. It may be painted after curing. It is non-toxic.
    • Aluminium cartridges. Cartridges used for packaging polyurethane filler. They ensure that moisture does not enter the pack and keep the product in perfect condition.
    • Application temperature. This is the temperature of the surfaces to be sealed at the time the sealant is applied.
    • Application tube. Short plastic tube used to apply polyurethane foam.

  • B

    • Bag. Long cylindrical-shaped recipient in which the silicone is packaged. It usually contains 600-800ml.
    • Blister. Cardboard medium with a transparent plastic lamina and used as a pack for tubes containing small amounts of silicone.

  • C

    • Content. Quantity of product in ml. (generally cartridges).
    • Contraction. Phenomenon that occurs in the joint and involves a reduction in its width.
    • Curing. The silicone drying process.

  • E

    • Expansion. Phenomenon that occurs in the joint and involves an increase in its width.
    • Expansion joints. These are located between the glass and the frame and between a facade’s aluminium supports. They are characterised by high deformation levels and ample movement.

  • F

    • Filler joints. These are generally between the frame and the wall, and between sections. They are characterised by low deformation levels and minimal movement.
    • Fungicide. Compounds used to destroy or prevent the development of moulds or bacteria.

  • H

    • Horizontal joints. These are generally used on floors and patios.

  • I

    • Initial joint width. The distance measured between the two media at the time of applying the sealant.

  • J

    • Joint. Continuity solution between two rigid materials that are subject to movement.
    • Joint bottom. Material that limits sealant depth in the joint and has the three following functions.
      • It sizes the joint to give it a proper, constant depth.
      • It increases sealant adhesion between media and enhances water- and air-tightness.
      • It prevents the sealant from sticking to a third surface (as the sealant should not adhere to the bottom of the joint), which would lead to breakage inside the joint.
    • Joint depth. Distance between the free side or surface and the joint bottom.

  • M

    • Movement capacity. This is the percentage of movement assumed by a joint upon contraction or expansion; it is expressed as a +/- percentage of the joint’s width and indicates the maximum movement in one or other direction that the joint is able to withstand.

  • N

    • Neutral Alkoxy Silicone. While being cured it gives off alcohol. It may be transparent or coloured. It has good elasticity properties. It seals glass, aluminium, metals and plastics.
    • Neutral Benzamide Silicone. High-elasticity. It is cured with silane benzamide. It adheres extremely well to porous surfaces. It also seals glass, aluminium and concrete. It comes in several colours.
    • Neutral silicone. Neutral cure sealant product. It has a fast curing rate and may be transparent or coloured. It is used for sealing glass, aluminium and concrete. It seals porous surfaces. It does not give off any odour. There are three types: benzamide, oxime and alkoxy.
    • Nominal joint width. Envisaged distance between the two media.
    • Nozzle. Long, conical, plastic part that adapts to the silicone cartridge to ease application.

  • P

    • Polyethylene cartridges. Material generally used to package sealants. They may deteriorate because of a high quantity of solvent in the sealant.
    • Polymer. An organic or inorganic chemical product with a high molecular mass.
    • Polyurethane filler. Product based on moisture-curing polyisocyanates and polyols.
    • Polyurethane foam. Two-component system that contains two reagent products: isocyanate and polyol. This system reacts when in contact with moisture and produces two consecutive chemical reactions. These reactions prompt the expansion of the mixture and form the end structure, which is used as insulation, filler and fixing material.
    • Primer. A product used to treat one or two surfaces to be sealed in order to improve or attain proper adhesion between the surfaces. Both surfaces must be dry prior to sealing. Consult the manufacturer for the best application method and the best type of primer to use.

  • R

    • Reticulation. Drying, curing of the silicone.

  • S

    • Sealant. Product with sufficient adhesion, cohesion and elasticity properties to perform the following two functions:
      • To join the two media that may have contraction and expansion movements for which it requires sufficient elasticity.
      • Water- and air-tightness between the media to prevent the passage of air, water and dust, etc.
    • Sealing. This is the elastic and/or deformable closure that is part of a joint system between two media, e.g. between glazing and the frame, or between the frame and brickwork, etc.
    • Service temperature. These are the temperature extremes between which the sealant, once applied, maintains all its properties.
    • Silicone. Organic-silicic compound the chemical properties of which enable it to be used in practically all fields of industry.
    • Single component sealing. This ready-to-use sealant generally comes in polyethylene cartridges, aluminium bags or in tubs.
    • Skin formation. The time after which the sealant loses its adherence.
    • Smoothing. Finish operation aimed at improving the appearance of the joint. This can be done using a finger that has been moistened with soapy water or a spatula.
    • Solvent. A product that is added to some sealants to reduce their price. When they evaporate there may be serious losses in adhesion and water- and air-tightness because the joint decreases in proportion with the evaporated solvent.

  • T

    • Thixotropy. The characteristic of a sealant that enables it to seal vertical joints without the occurrence of any separation of the parts.
    • Two-component sealant. This sealant comprises two parts. These must be mixed, using special machines, solely when the sealant is required.