FAQS

Yield

A standard 10.1 oz cartridge (tube) contains 18.3 cubic inches of sealant.   The yield for this tube depends on the cross sectional area of the joint to be filled.  To determine the yield, first estimate the cross sectional area of the sealant joint (sq. in.s) and multiply by 12.  This is the approximate cubic inches per lineal foot of sealant joint.   The yield per tube in lineal feet is equal to 18 divided by the cubic inches per lineal foot.

The same procedure is performed to determine the yield of 20 ounce sausage paks (chubs), 36.6 cubic inches per sausage and quart size cartridges (tubes), 27 ounce fill has 48.7 cubic inches per tube while 30 ounce fill has 54.1 cubic inches per tube.

The Tremco Incorporated website provides an east to use calculator to simplify the estimating process.

Paintability

Determination of the paintability of any sealant is the responsibility of the applicator.

In general, Silicone sealants will not accept paint.  But if one should, the paint is unlikely to perform.  All sealants other than silicones would be expected to accept paint.  However, given the multitude of different paints and different sealants, It is left to the applicator to perform tests to determine if the selected paint will perform with the selected sealant.

With the exception of latex sealants, the sealant should be allowed to cure throughout before applying paint (a few days to as long as two weeks).  The allowable time before painting a latex sealant varies with the particular sealant and can be as little as 30 minutes to as long as a few days.

Paintability of Polyurethane sealants is discussed in Tremco's Technical Bulletin.

All high performance sealants are expected to withstand the rigors of frequent rainstorms. But relatively few sealants are recommended for continuous immersion in water.  And even fewer are recommended in the harsh chlorinated water of swimming pools or other chemically treated water applications.  We will be pleased to discussed your specific application and suggest the appropriate sealants and primers necessary.

If your project specification calls for ASTM C-920 you are obligated to use a sealant that conforms to the specification.  If you are not required to use a C-920 sealant, it is generally a good idea to use one anyhow.  ASTM-C920 is a material specification that determines if a sealant performs at or above minimum acceptable performance levels as determined by sealant and construction industry professionals.

There are however, some very good sealants that do not conform to C-920.  Developing a sealant involves a series of trade-offs between performance properties.  Sealants developed for special applications may need to forego conformance to C-920 in order to concentrate on one or two critical performance characteristics at the expense of others.

It is important to work with our sealant professionals to insure you are selecting the correct sealant for each application.

ASTM C-920 is a material specification that evaluates an elastomeric sealant for a minimum level of performance.  The vast majority of sealants available to the construction industry meet or exceed the requirements of ASTM C-920.

It is important to understand that sealants designed for different applications can all meet or exceed the requirements of C-920 but may not be suitable for your specific condition.  Your sealant supplier or manufacturer will be happy to work with you to be sure your are selecting a suitable sealant for each condition on your project.

It is also important to understand that meeting C-920, by itself, does not make a sealant one of the best on the market.  Sealants conforming to C-920 vary widely in their level of performance.  Obviously, the highest performing sealants will all conform to the specification.  But you should be ever mindful that some lower performing sealants will also be in the mix.

For these reasons, it is very important to find a supplier or manufacturer in whom you can place your trust.  We at Midwest Sealant Supply are ready and able to aid with your sealant selections.

ASTM C-920 consists of a series of test methods designed to evaluate  elastomeric sealants intended for use in the construction industry.

Once a sealant has been tested and found to perform within the allowable limits for each test, it is described as meeting ASTM C-920.  However, simply stating that a sealant meets C-920 is not acceptable.  Sealants qualifying under the specification are classified as to Type, Grade, Class and Use.  Correct representation of C-920 must include these classifications.

The Type, Grade, Class and Use are described as follows:

Type S - A single component sealant.
Type M - A multicomponent sealant.
Grade P -  A self-leveling (pourable) sealant.
Grade NS - A nonsag (gunnable) sealant.
Class 100/50 -  A sealant capable of 100% extension and 50% compression
Class 50 - A sealant capable of 50% extension and 50% compression.
Class 35 - A sealant capable of 35% extension and 35% compression.
Class 25 - A sealant capable of 25% extension and 25% compression.
Class 12 1/2 - A sealant capable of 12 1/2% extension and  12 1/2% compression.
Use T(1) -  A sealant designed for use in pedestrian & vehicular traffic areas. High Modulus, Firm sealant.
Use T(2) A sealant designed for use in pedestrian & vehicular traffic areas. Low Modulus, Soft sealant.
Use NT - A sealant designed for use in nontraffic areas.
Use I - A sealant designed for use in joints that are continuously immersed in a liquid.
Use M - A sealant that meets C-920 when tested on mortar.
Use G - A sealant that meets C-920 when tested on glass.
Use A - A sealant that meets C-920 when tested on clear anodized aluminum.
Use O - A sealant that meets C-920 when tested on substrates other than the standard glass, aluminum or mortar

NO!  Firestop products are produced in a variety of colors.  A particular color (whether red or some other color) has no importance relative to firestop applications.  It is critical however, that regardless of color, the sealant installed must have been tested as a component in a system that will satisfy each application and/or rated condition.  See 3M colors  & Tremco  colors below:  

3M Firestop Color Availability

Tremco Firestop Color Availability

Not necessarily!  While products with the same color may be applicable in the same condition, the color of the product has no significance.  Different sealants with the same color cannot be counted on to be interchangeable in a firestop application.  It is critically important that each sealant is supported with documentation (UL...etc.) that it has been successfully tested in a system for each application.  All firestop products of the same color are not equivalent.

NO!  Individual products cannot be rated.  Only systems can receive a rating.