Each profession or industry has its own jargon or technical terminology, be it medical doctors, geologists, craftsmen in the building trade, joiners, painters or glaziers. This permits convenient communication within the respective communities. We would like to explain some technical terms to you relying on the following extract from the Glossary of IVD (“Industrieverband Dichtstoffe” – Association of the Sealants Industry). The complete glossary (“Dichtstofflexikon”) in German with translation of the keywords into English and French is available from us or from IVD directly.
Sealant glossary
Adhesion failure
Sealant detaching from the adherent surface of the substrate (DIN EN 26927:1990), loss of adhesion.
Back-filling material, back-up material
Material introduced into a joint to limit the thickness of the sealant, thus determining the rear section of the sealant. (DIN EN 26927:1990)
Cohesion failure
Failure within the sealant (DIN EN 26927:1990)
Cross-linking
In macromolecular chemistry (the chemistry of large molecules or polymer chemistry) cross-linking means the three-dimensional linking of polymer chains to form polymer networks. This cross-linking is the cause of solidification of chemically reacting sealants, e.g. silicone sealants
Elastic recovery
The ability of a deformed sealant to regain its original dimensions totally or in part after the forces causing deformation have ceased to act upon it. (DIN EN 26927:1990)
Elongation at break
Maximum elongation of a sealant in a joint leading to failure (destruction) of cohesion in the sealing material or to adhesion failure. The elongation at break must not be confused with the maximum movement tolerance.
External quality control
Sealants tested to specific quality standards, e.g.. DIN 18545 are routinely tested for compliance with quality requirements by independent testing institutions.
Haftgrund/ Haftgrundierung
view Primer
Joint
Intended space or space due to tolerance between building components/parts (DIN 52460:2000)
Joint edge
Lateral limit of the joint width (DIN 52450:2000)
Maximum allowed distortion
Deformation range (including elongation, compression and shearing) within which the joint seal remains intact and functioning. (DIN 52460:2000)
Maximum movement tolerance
maximum allowed distortion under which the joint seal retains its sealing properties.
MS-Polymer
A raw material used for manufacturing sealants
Open time
Minimum waiting time between applying a primer and introducing the sealant. (DIN EN 26927:1990)
Polymer
substance composed of molecules made up of repetitive series of identical or different atoms or groups of atoms.
Primer
Material for surface coating of joint edges applied before introducing the sealant in order to ensure adhesion of the latter. (DIN EN 26927:1990) –> Open time (of primer)
Sealing
Introduction of suitable materials into a joint in order to prevent penetration of moisture and/or air between building components and other parts or components made of identical or different materials. (DIN EN 26927:1990)
Shore-A-Hardness
A measuring method for the rubber industry used for vulcanised rubber mixtures. It is only of limited value for testing sealants since the time of “vulcanisation” cannot be determined. –> DIN 53505
Specific gravity
The specific gravity describes the mass to volume ratio. An example: 1.2 g / ml = 1 millilitre (cm3) weighs 1.2 g
Tensile modulus
Tensile strength of a sealant at a given amount of elongation. (DIN EN 26927:1990)
Three-point adhesion
In case of three-point adhesion the sealant also adheres to the joint bottom with the consequence that deformation of the sealant for accommodating movement is obstructed.
Three-surface adhesion / corner joint
In case of a corner joint the two adherent surfaces of the sealant meet in the top of a triangle.
Tensile strength
Force required to break a test material when stretched.
Tooling
Process by which the sealant is pressed into the joint after processing in order to ensure adhesion of the sealant to the joint edges and to improve the visual impression of the joint surface. (DIN EN 26927:1990)
Viscosity
This term is used for the assessment of flow characteristics of fluids and pastes
Wetting
The property of a substance, e.g. primer, adhesive, or sealant to spread (flow) over the intended adherent surface. Adhesion can become effective only on wetted surfaces.