Jump to main content
Article

3 Benefits of Hybrid Polymer Sealants

Construction sealants have existed for centuries. And like most building material products, they’ve evolved substantially over time. The most popular technologies are often further refined to meet specific application requirements like kitchen & bath, window & door, gutter or roofing installations.

As products evolve, it’s common for trade professionals to use, and become loyal to a specific brand. This practice can prevent pros from discovering new or even better technologies. Hybrid polymer sealants are an excellent example of this phenomenon. It’s the newest technology on the market and one of the best sealant options for many job site sealing challenges.

4 min.
osi article adhesives stage

What Makes Hybrid Polymer Sealant Different?

In general, hybrid sealants are made by combining polyurethane and silicone technologies. As a result, you get many of the benefits that both have to offer – a combination of better flexibility, adhesion, and durability. But, not all hybrid sealants are the same. To ensure the optimal performance for each intended application, a series of components are chosen carefully and mixed with precision to generate the perfect formulation.

This starts with a base polymer. Most sealant brands are required to use off-the-shelf solutions from third party chemical manufacturers. This can severely limit performance of the finished product. OSI and the Henkel Corporation have developed their own series of base polymers for different hybrid sealant formulations. The result is a product with more application specific capabilities, better control, and higher performance in each tube. 

1. Hybrid Sealants Can Be Applied in All Conditions

Contractors need a sealant that works when they work because labor shortages and high demand don’t allow for many days off.  Every part of the country has its climate challenges, but in the absence of extreme weather conditions, installers are out there working.  Hybrid polymer sealants are a great solution because they gun consistently in high and low temperatures. The climate has little effect on the viscosity, adhesion or the final cured performance of the seal. Hybrids can even be applied in the rain or snow, and directly on wet surfaces.

2. Hybrids Have a Faster and More Reliable Curing Process

A sealant’s performance isn’t fully realized until it has cured. And longer cure times often create roadblocks on the jobsite – delays that last days or even weeks.  One key benefit of hybrid sealants, like OSI QUAD MAX, is their significantly shorter cure time. For example, QUAD MAX only needs 24 hours to fully cure and can often be painted in one hour. The quick curing process also helps prevent unsightly bubbling from occurring in finished sealant beads. You can learn more about this phenomenon in a technical bulletin published at OSITough.com.

Unlike some other sealant formulations on the market, QUAD MAX, and other hybrids, don’t shrink during the curing process.   Some sealants can lose more than 30% of their volume from off-gassing and/or evaporation.  Days later, the thickness and shape of the original bead may have changed significantly – resulting in less protection or even gaps and cracks that will allow moisture and air penetration. 

With hybrid sealants, the original bead will maintain its shape, volume, and size once it’s cured. This feature makes it an ideal choice for window and door installations. The gasket created between the window fin and the outside edge of the rough opening must maintain its volume, shape and flexibility to ensure long-lasting protection.

3. Hybrid Sealants Have a Superior Combination of Adhesion and Flexibility

Adhesion is important because in almost all regions, there is some movement or shifting from seasonal changes.  A strong bond is one requirement for bridging the gap and maintaining a long-term seal.  Most technologies (latex, silicones, polyurethanes and solvents) have limitations on what they will adhere to.  Hybrids, however, stick to almost any surface or common building material – smooth and porous alike.  This can reduce the number of sealant products a contractor needs to carry with them on the job site.  Costly callbacks and customer complaints are a contractor’s worst nightmare.  Choosing hybrid sealants can take some of the guesswork out of the purchase decision process and deliver more consistent results.

Experience the Benefits of Hybrid Sealants Like OSI QUAD MAX

OSI QUAD MAX is a class 50 hybrid sealant that’s designed to withstand high joint movement. The flexibility of the sealant bead is maintained over time, as hybrid sealants will not typically dry-out or crack. The same flexibility and elasticity established on day one of the job will remain throughout the sealant’s life. When combined with great substrate adhesion, the water and airproof seal created with hybrid sealants will typically perform better than other technologies.

If you’re ready to try out a hybrid polymer sealant on your next job, choose OSI QUAD MAX.  Protect your installs with a product that works hard and helps make every structure Tougher Than The Elements®.

Disclaimer: the information provided is intended to offer a general understanding.  OSI recommends you seek out technical data sheets, speak further with an expert and/or gather additional performance information before making any final product decisions.

Related Products

  • osi quad max 9.5oz cartridge

    OSI® QUAD MAX®

    Sealant for window, door & siding applications

    ...
  • image us osi tapes  butyl flash 1

    OSI® QUAD® Butyl Flash

    Flashing tape for window & door installations

    ...
  • osi quad foam 16oz can

    OSI® QUAD® FOAM

    ...

Recent Articles

  • Choosing the Best Caulk Gun for Sealants and Adhesives

    Recommendations and information for pros on what to look for in a high-performance, easy-to-use caulk gun.  

    ...
  • 5 Mistakes When Applying Sealant Beads

    Get tips for fixing five of the most common mistakes made when applying sealant beads from the experts at OSI.  

    ...
  • Window & Door Flashing FIVE CRITICAL OBJECTIVES

    It is important that five specific objectives are achieved for all window and door flashing design and installations to ensure the opening around the fenestration is protected from water and moisture. The flashing assembly should systematically function to drain and dry. 

    ...