TECHNICAL BULLETIN

004
MS SEALANTS

Good building sense and product compatibility is very important for the durability of the building.

Silyl terminated polyether sealants, known as MS sealants, have been very popular in the industrial industry all over the
world since their introduction 20 years ago.
MS sealants have been primarily used for industrial application; BUT construction use is still in the developmental stages
due to the demand of other sealants such as polyurethane and silicone sealants.
MS sealants have many high performance capabilities with many of the same characteristics as urethane sealants;
however, one-part MS sealants cure much faster than a one-part urethane sealant which is great for the construction
industry where speed is important.

There are two types of modified silanes on the market in Australia and they depend on the chemical backbone or resin
composition such as polyether modified silane, or polyurethane modified silane which is called a hybrid MS sealant.
Polyether modified silanes are less resistant but more elastic compared with polyurethane modified silanes, also known
as hybrid polyurethanes.

Currently modified silanes adhesive have a skin time about 10 to 45 minutes; such time may be reduced or increased
depending on the temperature and humidity at the time of installation.
One limitation of the silane modified sealant is the maximum thickness of application and due to their curing process
cures outside inside, which means if applied too thick, the sealant requires a long time to cure inside, and may not even
reach completely cure.

in order to solve this problem it is possible to apply the sealant along with a booster, which is mixed to uniformly cure
the sealant bead, in that case the curing process cures evenly and not from outside to inside.

One of the main advantages of the modified silanes is they do not require the use of primers or adhesion promoters
prior to sealant applications, and in most cases cleaning of the surface is enough to ensure adhesion between
substrates, thereby reducing both cost of materials and cost of application, and avoiding errors during the treatment of
the surface before application.
Modified silanes not cure under the action of polyols (short-chain polymers with OH groups), for that reason it is
necessary to verify that the cleaner used to prepare the surface does not contain polyols.
Modified silanes cure at a range of humidity that is between 30% and 95%, and unlike polyurethanes they DONT emit
CO2 or any volatile compound which could cause internal bubbles, gassing or blisters in the sealant that may reduce the
mechanical and cohesive properties of the sealant.

This document and the information here contained is provided as is and Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions makes no express or implied
representations or warranties regarding this document. Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions shall not warrant that the document or information will
be error free or shall meet any particular criteria of performance. The use of this document and its information shall be at your own risk and you
assume full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from the use of this document and its information. Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions shall not
be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages in relation to this document and its information.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN
004
MS SEALANTS

The structure of an MS polymer consists of a polyether backbone and methyl-dimethoxysilyl terminal functionality,
which does not contain urethane, urea, or other functional groups that are typical in all polyurethane sealants.
MS polymer's polyethers main chain provides low viscosity, low glass transition temperatures, flexibility over a wide
temperature range, with low odor.

The advantages of MS construction sealants are numerous with specific benefits which are described below,
however, a significant benefit is the fact that the final products are isocyanate and solvent-free due to MS sealants are
based on polymer, which is silyl-terminated, eliminating the isocyanate content for those involved in the manufacturing
and installations of MS sealants.

MS sealant popularity has been due to its versatility and well-balanced properties as they are suitable for a wide range
of applications, except for glazing due to the initial adhesion of MS sealants onto glass is good, but its exposure to
sunlight or UV over a long period of time generates bond strength deterioration just like polyurethane sealants, as they
should not be used at temperatures greater than 85C.

1. The table below compares the performance of silicone rubber, polyurethane, and MS sealants with the other
two types of sealants that are used in the construction industry, including the unique properties of MS sealants:
Environmental friendliness (solvent free)
2. Low temperature gun ability: the viscosity of MS sealants is less dependent on temperature changes
3. Storage stability: shelf life is excellent although sealant must be protected from moisture
4. Weather resistance and durability: MS sealant shows no cracking, splitting, discoloration or adhesion failure
after seven years' testing in Arizona climate
5. Stain resistance: MS sealants do not stain as some silicone sealants do because of low molecular weight silicon
materials that bleed from the surface of sealed joints
6. Paint ability: MS sealants provide good paint ability unlike silicone sealants
7. Adhesion: MS sealants provide adhesion to various substrates including metals, plastics, wood, and ceramics.

EVERYTHING INSTALLED IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE INSTALLER

This document and the information here contained is provided as is and Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions makes no express or implied
representations or warranties regarding this document. Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions shall not warrant that the document or information will
be error free or shall meet any particular criteria of performance. The use of this document and its information shall be at your own risk and you
assume full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from the use of this document and its information. Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions shall not
be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages in relation to this document and its information.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN
004
MS SEALANTS

Property MS Polymer Polyurethane Silicone

Environmental friendliness 10 5 9
Non-bubbling 10 6 10
Low temperature gun ability 10 8 10
Slump resistance 10 10 10
Quick cure 10 7 10
Storage stability 10 7 9
Body (tooling) 8 10 8
Weather resistance 8 6 10
Adhesion to various substrates 10 5 8
Mechanical properties 10 10 10
Heat resistance, mechanical stability 9 8 10
Non-dirt pickup 10 10 5
Stain resistance 8 8 5
Paint ability with water-based paint 10 10 3
Construction Sealant Performance Comparison

DO IT RIGHT- DO IT ONCE- FIXED FOR GOOD

This document and the information here contained is provided as is and Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions makes no express or implied
representations or warranties regarding this document. Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions shall not warrant that the document or information will
be error free or shall meet any particular criteria of performance. The use of this document and its information shall be at your own risk and you
assume full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from the use of this document and its information. Envirotech Waterproofing Solutions shall not
be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages in relation to this document and its information.