The longevity and safety of construction are increasingly dependent on adhesives and sealants. Discover breakthroughs such as Sika’s Purform® and iCure technologies, which address future concerns while improving performance and environmental responsibility.

Adhesives and sealants are becoming increasingly important in the rapidly changing construction and infrastructure development landscape. As buildings rise to unprecedented heights and structures require greater endurance, bonding technologies are revolutionising the industry. This article investigates cutting-edge advances in adhesives and sealants, their applications in critical infrastructure, and how Sika is addressing tomorrow’s difficulties.

The cornerstone of critical infrastructure
Choosing adhesives and sealants is far from simple when it comes to bridges, high-rise buildings, and other critical infrastructure. These materials are the hidden heroes who ensure the durability and safety of their most vital structures.

Key considerations:
Sikaflex PRO-3 Purform and SikaFlex Construction+ offer up to ±35 percent movement capabilities (ASTM C719), making them ideal for managing dynamic loads in large-scale structures. Their sophisticated formulas offer long-lasting performance by resisting ageing, weathering, and chemical exposure. For example, Sikaflex Construction+ is well-known for its remarkable weather resilience. Furthermore, these sealants are designed to withstand high loads, indicating their mechanical strength and appropriateness for large infrastructure projects.

Innovations in material science
Purform® and iCure technologies anticipate future issues in construction and industrial applications and meet existing needs. They provide a potent combination of improved performance, safety, and environmental considerations determining the industry’s future. As these technologies advance and integrate, we may anticipate increasingly more sophisticated solutions that address bonding and sealing challenges while prioritising user safety and environmental effects. The future of building is not just about what we create but also how we bond it together – and that future is becoming brighter and more secure with each technical innovation in the realm of adhesives and sealants.

Meeting environmental and safety standards
As regulatory standards grow, the adhesives and sealants industry adapts to meet the difficulties. Many modern sealants, such as SikaFlex Construction+ and SikaFlex Pro3, carry the GEV Emicode EC1PLUS designation, indicating low emissions. There is also a considerable preference for isocyanate and solvent-free alternatives, such as Sikaflex-127. Furthermore, there is a rising emphasis on minimising environmental impacts across the full product lifecycle.

Performance under pressure
Modern sealants are engineered to withstand harsh environments with exceptional tenacity. For example, the Sikaflex-11 FC Purform can tolerate temperatures ranging from -40°C to +80°C. These sealants are also UV resistant, making them ideal for outdoor applications, and they provide great moisture resistance in high-humidity conditions. Their multifaceted approach effectively combats possible degradation, resulting in long-lasting performance under various situations.

Bridging the gap: Traditional and advanced materials
Integrating traditional materials with modern composites creates new bonding issues. Flexible adhesive solutions are designed to allow for differential movement between incompatible materials, resulting in a secure bind. Furthermore, specialised surface preparation procedures and primers, such as Sika Primer 3, are utilised to generate ideal bonding conditions, increasing adhesive systems’ efficiency.

Versatility in application
Modern adhesives and sealants are surprisingly adaptable. For bonding applications, solutions such as Sikaflex-11 FC Purform can adhere to various materials, including concrete, masonry, reconstituted or cast stone, ceramic, wood, metal, and glass. Additionally, these items can seal vertical and horizontal connections, demonstrating their multi-functionality.

Indoor and outdoor use
These sealants are suitable for interior and outdoor applications since they are weather-resistant and have a wide service temperature range. This adaptability makes material selection and inventory management easier for construction professionals, providing a single solution to various difficulties.

The future of adhesives and sealants
Looking ahead, the industry is poised for continued innovation. There is a major emphasis on sustainability, with a growth in environmentally friendly items such as bio-based formulas and recyclable designs. Customisation is also a major trend, as control over the manufacturing process allows the development of unique feature combinations customised to specific applications and substrates. Safety advancements are a top concern, with continuing research into low-emission, non-toxic formulations increasing worker safety and environmental protection. Furthermore, performance optimisation is a prominent research field that improves strength, flexibility, and durability over countless environmental conditions. In addition, the sector anticipates and adapts to evolving global environmental and safety laws.

For more information, visit: https://www.sika.com/