Ultra violet radiation, otherwise known as UV radiation, can cause a lot of damage to regular sealants and adhesives. Poor quality sealants will often flake over time, break apart and lose its original bond. This sort of thing is also seen with exposed paint surfaces and results in colour change and chalking. Acrylic polymers absorb UV light very slowly, but they don’t provide a permanent protection against the effects of UV radiation.

Damages caused by UV Radiation

Most synthetic materials are attacked by the UV radiation, which causes the sealant or adhesive to disintegrate and crack over time. The damage is caused when the material itself absorbs too much UV light. It then weakens the chemical bonds, leaving behind a lot of damage that needs to be repaired.

Some materials absorb UV light slower than others, which makes them more appropriate for exterior use. Colour instability is another huge problem with sealants that are used outdoors. For example, if you’ve chosen a particular coloured sealant for atheistic purposes and it loses its colour over time, it throws off the entire look. This is just one of the reasons why it’s important to choose a UV resistant sealant and adhesive such as CT1 from C-Tec.

What happens when radiation is absorbed?

When poor quality sealants and adhesives absorb UV radiation, the chemical bond is weakened which leads to photochemical degradation. This leaves visual and structural signs of damage that include bleaching, discolouration, cracking, brittleness and fading. The most problematic sign of degradation is when the bond begins to lose its structural integrity. When the bond fails, it can cause additional damage to the base material and the overall structure, which is why it’s important to use a high-quality sealant that is strong enough to withstand UV radiation.

UV Resistant Sealant and Adhesive

CT1 is an all-powerful construction sealant and adhesive that bonds to almost any surface without attacking the synthetic material. It bonds a huge range of materials, including glass, wood, metal and polystyrene. This means you can use it to bond materials indoors and outdoors.

CT1 is UV resistant, making it the best universal sealant for exterior use. Once you use it to bond two materials together or repair a gutter leak, for example, you won’t need to carry out any additional fixings. It’s resistance to UV, chemicals and vibrations makes it an incredibly powerful sealant. It can work in both wet and dry conditions and can withstand even the most problematic of climates. Unlike most other sealants that crack, fade or shrink when exposed to UV radiation, CT1 does none of this. It is 100% odourless and contains no solvents or isocyanates.

This environmentally compliant sealant provides instant repair with carbon fire materials and fibre glass. Its flexible nature makes it useful for a huge range of applications. When you need a powerful sealant and adhesive for outdoor use, there’s no better option than CT1 – The UV resistant sealant and adhesive.