Although adhesives and sealants both ensure that spaces between two mating parts hold, they are different. Adhesives are designed to hold materials together in a functional manner by a surface attachment that resists separation while sealants are used to fill gaps and seal joints or openings against the intrusion of liquids, gases, air, dirt, or other foreign substances. At Shopbwana, we have listed various Zambian suppliers of adhesives and sealants. Products listed here include tile adhesive, contact adhesive, wood glue, crack filler, bonding primer, hot melt glue and silicone.
Adhesive, also known as glue, cement, mucilage, or paste, is any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate items that binds them together and resists their separation.
The adhesive is any substance that is capable of holding materials together in a functional manner by a surface attachment that resists separation. “Adhesive” as a general term includes cement, mucilage, glue, and paste—terms that are often used interchangeably for any organic material that forms an adhesive bond.
Adhesive Types
Adhesives are designed for specific applications. Besides their role in the adhesion process, they can be used for other purposes, such as sealing agents, in order to eliminate the effect of self-loosening caused by dynamic loads, sealing off areas to prevent oxidation and corrosion, waterproofing, etc.
The difference between glue and adhesive is merely technical, if not trivial. Most people use the terms interchangeably. Glues are derived from natural plant and animal sources. However, adhesives are based on synthetic products (the most important difference).
A water drop is composed of water molecules that like to stick together-an example of the property of cohesion. In the picture of pine needles above, the water droplets are stuck to the end of the pine needles-an example of the property of adhesion.
Sealant is a substance used to block the passage of fluids through the surface or joints or openings in materials, a type of mechanical seal. In building construction sealant is sometimes synonymous with caulking and also serve the purposes of blocking dust, sound and heat transmission
Sealants are generally used as a barrier or a means of protection. In this way, sealants are used to exclude dust, dirt, moisture and chemicals, or to contain a liquid or gas. They are also often used as a coating to protect a surface or an article
Generally speaking, silicone sealants are more versatile and flexible than polyurethane sealants and they work better in most environments. The inorganic composition means that silicone is resistant to UV rays, making it a better option than polyurethane sealant, which will eventually revert back to its natural form.
The Best Silicone Sealant Overall—Gorilla Clear Silicone Sealant Caulk. This Gorilla sealant is made of pure silicone and is excellent for any heavy-duty or touch-up project. The sealant is waterproof and can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications.
Sealers may penetrate into the surface or form a very thin surface layer (typically less than 3 mils). Thicker surface treatments usually are called coatings. Sealants, sometimes called caulks, are used for filling voids, gaps, cracks, and joints.
Caulks can be applied to seal cracks in painting applications. Silicone is a type of sealant used mainly to bind surfaces such as metal, glass, and plastic together. As silicone sealants are more flexible, they are mostly used for DIY jobs to seal out water from all kinds of surfaces.