Historical Solvent-based Butyl Sealant
This information reflects our best understanding of product composition in 2016.
Solvent-based butyl sealants are typically used for flashing and for sealing gutters and downspouts, chimneys, and aluminum and vinyl siding. They can also be used to seal around windows and doors, for sealing curtain wall joints and metal panel...
Solvent-based butyl sealants are typically used for flashing and for sealing gutters and downspouts, chimneys, and aluminum and vinyl siding. They can also be used to seal around windows and doors, for sealing curtain wall joints and metal panel joining, as secondary glazing seals, and as sealing against Neoprene or EPDM gaskets. These sealants can also be used below grade, such as around concrete foundations, but are not recommended for applications where they would be submerged in water. They are typically paintable and non-staining. The advantages of solvent-based butyl sealants are that they are low-cost, water-resistant, and have excellent adhesion to most materials (wood, metal, glass, concrete, masonry), they are resistant to weathering, and are permanently flexible. The disadvantages are that they provide limited joint movement (generally no more than ± 10%), they are often stringy and difficult to apply, and they are slow to cure. Non-skinning/non-curing versions are available but were found to be less common so they were excluded from this research. Hazardous solvents make up a large percentage of the product, around 20%, by weight. These solvents are a particular concern to installers and others in the area who are exposed to the solvents during and following installation.
The updated version of this CP can be found here: https://pharos.habitablefuture.org/common-products/2180551