Sealants are used to close gaps and prevent debris from entering, while adhesives bond surfaces together. Sealants are more malleable and contain quick-drying resins, while adhesives are stiffer and have complex structures for stronger bonding. Adhesives require thorough cleaning and treatment for proper adhesion, while sealants usually don’t. Hybrid products exist but may not work well for all projects.
The main difference between sealants and adhesives is their main focus or objective. Sealants are primarily designed to close gaps between surfaces and to prevent objects such as dust, water or debris from entering any given space. Adhesives, on the other hand, are usually made to adhere permanently to surfaces—not so that anything can penetrate them, but rather so that the surfaces cannot be pulled apart. Sometimes sealants are used between two surfaces, but not always. In fact, it’s quite common to see sealants applied to the exterior walls of buildings and appliances, but adhesives are almost never used this way. The products are often sold together and can sometimes be used interchangeably, but this is usually not recommended. Sealants don’t always have the adhesive power needed for long-term adhesion, for example, and adhesives don’t always dry properly when used on an exterior surface. Some manufacturers produce hybrid products that try to serve both purposes, but won’t always work well for all projects.
General purpose of each
A sealant is a product that is mainly used in the finishing of products or in other stages of the manufacturing process. Just as the name suggests, the main function and use of a sealant is to seal any existing gaps between surfaces where they are applied to each other to create a watertight or airtight area. The sealant can be used in any specific function where the intention is to keep something in, or quite the opposite, to keep something out. For example, the product could be used during various construction projects, where it can be applied in various capacities to completely seal gaps between surfaces that might be difficult to close in any other way. When used in home construction, a sealant can be applied to keep out drafts, soot, or any other minute particulates.
On the other hand, the main purpose of the adhesive is usually to bond one surface to another, not to seal the space between objects. Adhesives put things together and work like industrial glue. Sometimes this serves the dual purpose of sealing cracks or open spaces, but not necessarily, and usually not primarily.
Structural basics
Sealants and adhesives also differ in their basic structure, look and feel, as well as their main ingredients. In general, adhesives are stiffer and more powerful than sealants, which are generally more malleable and usually not as strong. Sealants are usually made from polymers specifically calibrated for a tight molecular structure that does not allow for penetration. They also usually contain quick-drying resins and epoxies that form a smooth finish.
Adhesives are usually filled with much more complex structures designed to grip and bind at a cellular level. They usually last much longer and can often be nearly impossible to remove. Most sealants, by contrast, can usually be peeled off or removed with a little effort.
Preparation and use
Another difference between sealants and adhesives can be found in the type of preparation that goes into applying the two products. For example, since the function of an adhesive requires better adhesion to surfaces for a proper seal, it is usually very important for users to thoroughly clean and sometimes even treat the target area to ensure the binding sets. Most adhesives come in the form of sprays or paints. Sealants, on the other hand, still require a clean surface, but usually don’t need special treatment to work. They are most commonly applied with a caulk gun or specialist applicator.
Combined or hybrid products
While an adhesive is not primarily intended to provide an airtight area where it is applied, depending on the type of material and its size, it can also act as a substitute where sealant is not available. Sometimes, under some circumstances, the two products can be used interchangeably. Some manufacturers even make hybrid products that promise to be both a sealant and an adhesive in one. A lot depends on the exact manufacture and project in question, but in most cases hybrids aren’t as good as more “pure” products.
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