The key difference between acrylic and silicone sealant is that acrylic sealant is used in specific applications, including PVC, aluminum and wood joinery, bathtubs, sinks, tiles, and ceramics, whereas silicone sealant is used for more general purposes such as doors, windows, gas joints, etc.
A sealant is an important commercial product that we can use for insulating purposes. Acrylic sealant and silicone sealant are two common sealant types. Acrylic sealant is a type of sealant product that is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions. Silicone sealant is a type of sealant useful for filling, sealing, and bonding purposes.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Acrylic Sealant
3. What is Silicone Sealant
4. Acrylic vs Silicone Sealant in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Acrylic vs Silicone Sealant
What is Acrylic Sealant?
Acrylic sealant is a type of sealant product that is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions. It has many other names, including siliconized acrylic sealant, acrylic caulk, siliconized acrylic caulk, latex acrylic sealant, latex acrylic caulk, etc.
An acrylic sealant has a high adhesion strength and can stand out with its permanent flexibility. This sealant can maintain its flexibility at low and high temperatures. We can also use this sealant in places that are exposed to direct water. Moreover, the acrylic sealant does not cause shrinkage, and it is resistant to mold formation.
Furthermore, unlike silicone sealants, acrylic sealants are useful in specific applications such as PVC, aluminum and wood joinery, bathtubs, sinks, tiles and ceramics, and vehicles, which need sound, water, and dust insulation, etc.
What is Silicone Sealant?
Silicone sealant is a type of sealant useful for filling, sealing, and bonding purposes. Unlike acrylic sealant, silicone sealant is useful for more general purposes such as doors, windows, glass joints, etc. There are different names for acrylic sealant: neutral silicone sealant, sanitary silicone, acetoxy silicone sealant, fire-rated silicone sealant, etc.
Standard silicone sealant is the most common form of silicone sealant and is used for sealing the shower cabin, bathtub, sink edge, etc. Moreover, we can use it for glass joinery, metal, tiles, and other structural elements.
Further, there is another type known as mirror silicone, which is also named mirror adhesive. It has the important property of curing from inside to outside but not from outside to inside. Therefore, these silicone sealants cannot damage the black glaze layer behind the mirrors. We can use mirror sealant for mirror adhesion and in windows for the sealing of joints. Furthermore, it does not cause corrosion in mirrors, and also it does not diminish and lose properties at high and low temperatures.
Similarly, there are aquarium silicone sealants that are generally used in aquariums for manufacturing and repairing purposes. This substance is harmless to plants and fish because it does not contain any chemicals that can harm living beings.
What is the Difference Between Acrylic and Silicone Sealant?
A sealant is an important commercial product that we can use for insulating purposes. Acrylic sealant and silicone sealant are two common sealant types. The key difference between acrylic and silicone sealant is that acrylic sealant is used in specific applications, including PVC, aluminum and wood joinery, bathtubs, sinks, tiles, and ceramics, whereas silicone sealant is used for more general purposes such as doors, windows, gas joints, etc.
The below infographic presents the differences between acrylic and silicone sealant in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Acrylic vs Silicone Sealant
Acrylic sealant is a type of sealant product that is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions. Silicone sealant is a type of sealant useful for filling, sealing, and bonding purposes. The key difference between acrylic and silicone sealant is that acrylic sealant is used in specific applications, including PVC, aluminum and wood joinery, bathtubs, sinks, tiles, and ceramics, whereas silicone sealant is used for more general purposes such as doors, windows, gas joints, etc.
Reference:
Chuang Peng. “What Is Acrylic Sealant, Where to Apply and How to Choose?” Silicone Sealant, Water Based Paint Manufacturer Since 1989 | Jointas Chemical.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Applying acrylic firestopping sealant in a pump room in the future LIRR passenger concourse” By MTA Construction & Development Mega Projects (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr