What is butyl sealant used for and what are the prices of such products?

Many different preparations are used when protecting a car or maintaining its condition. Not all of them are solely for cleaning, preserving, or renovating the car. Some specific products have broader applications, for example, in construction, industry, or the electronics sector. One such product is butyl sealant, created from butyl – a unique substance that surprises with its multitude of properties and applications. This is a chemically and technologically complex product. What is butyl, and how is butyl sealant made from it? What properties does it have, and what can butyl sealant be used for? What are the prices of such preparations? We answer these questions!

What is butyl, how is it made, and what are its properties?

Butyl, also known as butyl acetate or butyl rubber, is a polymer from the family of synthetic rubbers. It is formed through the polymerization of isobutylene or copolymerization with the addition of isoprene or butadiene. During the vulcanization of butylene, sulfur or nitroso compounds are typically used.

Under normal conditions, butyl is a colorless liquid with a characteristic odor, easily soluble in all solvents, ether, and alcohol. Butyl is flammable, and its vapors can lead to an explosion.

Is butyl harmful?

Butyl itself, in its "pure" form, is harmful to human health. Its vapors irritate the respiratory tract and eyes, and inhaling them can lead to fainting. However, preparations made from butyl, such as sealants, adhesives, cords, and tapes, are completely safe for health, pose absolutely no threat, and can be used without the need for additional protective measures.

Extraordinary properties of butyl

Butyl exhibits exceptional elastic and plastic properties, making it an excellent sealant. Its lifespan is impressively long – manufacturers of butyl-based products estimate it to be up to 25 years!

Butyl does not harden, change its volume, or show mass loss even when subjected to additional processing – e.g., laminating with non-woven fabric, PE film, or aluminum. It is resistant to adverse weather conditions, including extreme temperatures and moisture, the action of water, or saline sprays. It does not corrode, is resistant to oxidation, and the action of acids and alkalis. It also shows complete resistance to fungi and mold, while surprising with its exceptional adhesion to various surfaces, including:

• concrete
• glass
• aluminum
• PVC
• paint coatings

Butyl maintains its excellent adhesion even in wet environments. It does not require the use of any additional adhesives or activators. It perfectly dampens noise – it has very good sound-absorbing properties, and it absorbs vibrations and shocks well. Its curing occurs by drying.

Some butyl-based sealing preparations will not be resistant to organic acids, alcohols, mineral acids, and solvents. They may exhibit short chemical resistance to fuels and mineral oils, and vegetable and animal fats. Before purchasing, it is always a good idea to check the manufacturer's information or ask the specialists at the Protym store.

Application of butyl as a sealant

Due to its unique elastic properties and resistance to external factors, butyl has a very wide range of applications. Butyl is used to make various materials and preparations that are designed to seal and insulate effectively. Depending on the final product and desired properties, aluminum, non-woven fabric, or polyethylene film are added to butyl. From such a combination of butyl with other substances or materials, for example, the following are created:

• butyl tapes
• butyl compounds
• butyl cords
• butyl profiles

Butyl sealant – application in automotive and construction

Butyl sealant has versatile applications in automotive, construction, electronics, and home appliance industries. It is used in carpentry, plumbing, ventilation, and sewage work. It is used (in the form of cord or compound), for example, for sealing LED lamp housings, conduits in electronic equipment, or solar panel enclosures. It is found as an anti-corrosion protection or insulator in vacuum furnaces and various technical installations.

Butyl sealing in cars

Examples of butyl and butyl sealants applications in the automotive industry include:

• soundproofing and vibration damping. For this purpose, alubutyl mats are usually used, which perfectly dampen car bodies. It is also worth paying attention to sealing tapes, e.g., APP ButylTape;
• sealing of car body structures and body elements. The butyl compound applied to the joints of body elements is subjected to heating and painting, making it invisible to the naked eye. However, it is primarily responsible for protecting the car body from corrosion;
• sealing of sunroof structures, car doors, conduits, lamp housings. In this case, the butyl sealant usually takes the form of tape or cord;
• sealing of windows placed in rubber profiles. In this case, the butyl sealant covers the surface with a smooth, elastic skin and prevents water and dust from entering the vehicle's interior.

Butyl compounds, tapes, cords, and other butyl preparations adhere excellently to metal, glass, and plastic surfaces. Although butyl sealant effectively joins individual elements, it is not an adhesive (in a mechanical sense). If necessary, it can be easily removed, for example, to repair or replace an element. The sealant simply needs to be peeled off, and then a new layer applied. Interestingly, butyl sealants are so plastic and flexible that they can be molded with wet hands! They adapt perfectly to uneven surfaces.

Butyl sealants – usage in construction and finishing works

Butyl sealants are enjoying immense popularity and are slowly replacing previously used insulating materials, such as bitumen. Thanks to their unique plasticity, investors and contractors also appreciate them. The spectrum of application of butyl sealants in construction and finishing works is impressively wide. This includes, for example:

• performing waterproofing elements;
• insulation of aluminum facades;
• installation of joinery;
• sealing of sandwich panel structures;
• connections of trapezoidal sheets;
• connections of flashings, gutters, and drains;
• insulation of shower drains;
• installation of rooflights, facades, doors, and windows;
• sealing of sewage elements;
• insulation of roof elements (especially as a supplement to roof tiles and foils);
• sealing of batten and roofing accessory installations. 

Butyl sealant – price of preparations

The cost of individual butyl preparations varies greatly. Everything depends on the composition of the given sealant, its final chemical and mechanical properties, intended use, or brand. In the Protym store's offer, two butyl sealants particularly stand out – one from the Sika brand, which (depending on capacity) can be purchased from around 30 PLN. The second is a butyl sealant in the form of a tape from the APP brand, which is characterized by its ease of application. 

• SikaLastomer® 710 – a stable, solvent-based sealant with a paste consistency, one-component, easy to apply, and cold-cured. Resistant to fresh and salt water;
• APP ButylTape - a synthetic, self-adhesive sealant made of butyl compound in the form of a roll-shaped tape, which due to its high elasticity easily adapts to the shape of the substrate and has wide industrial applications.

FAQ - frequently asked questions

What properties does butyl have?

Butyl is characterized by its flexibility, plasticity, and long lifespan. It is resistant to adverse weather conditions, such as moisture, extreme temperatures, corrosion, acids, and alkalis, as well as fungi and mold. It also has very good adhesion to various surfaces, such as concrete, glass, aluminum, PVC, and paint coatings.

Is butyl harmful?

In its pure form, butyl is harmful to health. However, butyl-based preparations, such as sealants or tapes, are safe and do not require special protective measures during use.

What are the limitations of butyl?

Some butyl sealants are not resistant to organic acids, alcohols, mineral acids, and solvents. They may also show limited resistance to fuels and mineral oils.

What distinguishes butyl from other sealants?

Butyl does not require additional adhesives or activators, perfectly dampens noise and vibrations, and maintains flexibility even in damp conditions.