Understanding degradation mechanism for long-term natural weathering of building silicone sealant to guide future façade design, inspection, and accelerated testing methods

IF 6.3 2区化学 Q1 POLYMER SCIENCE

Polymer Degradation and Stability Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111299

Felipe Basquiroto de Souza , Jayrold Bautista , Anthoni Giam , Chia Wen Wong , Sze Dai Pang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Silicone sealants play a central role in the structural integrity and sealing performance of modern building façades. Yet, due to its relatively recent implementation in construction, little is known about its long-term degradation behavior in building contexts. Herein, we analyzed the degradation mechanisms of silicone sealants exposed to more than three decades of natural weathering in a high-rise tower façade. Our findings revealed that acid rain is the most detrimental factor to the silicone material – leading to the dissolution of the filler particles and inducing hole defects and microscale cracking. At a slower rate, the weathering exposure also led to the deterioration of the silicon-carbon atomic structure. The observed degradation led to a marked decrease in elongation capacity and an increase in the modulus of elasticity of the material. Nonetheless, the visual appearance and mechanical properties of the weathered sample still conformed with performance standards – reiterating the excellent durability of silicone in building assets. Overall, the obtained knowledge serves as a reference for future weathering studies on silicone and similar elastomeric materials as well as guide future façade design and inspection guidelines.

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来源期刊

Polymer Degradation and Stability 化学-高分子科学

CiteScore

10.10

自引率

10.20%

发文量

325

审稿时长

23 days

期刊介绍： Polymer Degradation and Stability deals with the degradation reactions and their control which are a major preoccupation of practitioners of the many and diverse aspects of modern polymer technology. Deteriorative reactions occur during processing, when polymers are subjected to heat, oxygen and mechanical stress, and during the useful life of the materials when oxygen and sunlight are the most important degradative agencies. In more specialised applications, degradation may be induced by high energy radiation, ozone, atmospheric pollutants, mechanical stress, biological action, hydrolysis and many other influences. The mechanisms of these reactions and stabilisation processes must be understood if the technology and application of polymers are to continue to advance. The reporting of investigations of this kind is therefore a major function of this journal. However there are also new developments in polymer technology in which degradation processes find positive applications. For example, photodegradable plastics are now available, the recycling of polymeric products will become increasingly important, degradation and combustion studies are involved in the definition of the fire hazards which are associated with polymeric materials and the microelectronics industry is vitally dependent upon polymer degradation in the manufacture of its circuitry. Polymer properties may also be improved by processes like curing and grafting, the chemistry of which can be closely related to that which causes physical deterioration in other circumstances.