Sikaflex Marine Handbook

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Sikaflex ® in Boat Construction and Maintenance.Since the middle of the 17thcentury, when the industrialrevolution started, to the presentday, the process of joining haschanged dramatically.Nowadays the most advancedtechnology in marine is based onelastic adhesives.Historically no technique in shipbuilding has evolved as stronglyover the centuries as thetechnology of deck caulking.In the early days, woollen orcotton caulking yarn, incombination with bituminousmaterials, were employed.Nowadays the use of elastomericmaterials are common worldwide,especially as these elastic sealantsnot only fill the joint butadditionally seal and bond similarand dissimilar substratessimultaneously.Prevention of galvanic metalcorrosionCompensation for variable ratesof thermal expansionNoise and vibration dampeningElimination of localised stressesHigh shear and peel strengthsFreedom of designSavings on custom-made sealsand gasketsSimultaneous assembly andsealing operationOverpaintabilityHigh resistance to tearSimple one-component, humiditycuringsystem■ Prevention of deformation ofmetals due to thermal joiningprocesses (welding, etc.)Two-component and fast-curingversions for high initialstrength and fast handlingWeight- and cost-saving optionsAvailability in all consistenciesfrom fluid to non-sagPrevention of damage to thesubstrate, unlike with welding,drilling or riveting systemsJoining of painted componentsHigh durability for a longservice lifeHigh resistance to UV radiationProven resistance to seawaterand extreme climate conditionsDistortion-free joiningFlexible manufacturingproceduresHigh-impact resistanceNo single adhesive will meet allrequirements and few surfaces arecompletely ideal for bonding,hence Sika manufacture acomprehensive range of adhesiveand primer systems specifically formarine applications.If your requirement is not coveredin this handbook or you needdetails of a local supplier, pleasecontact Sika for further advice.The task of elastic bonding is tojoin, to waterproof, to dampensound, to insulate and to preventgalvanic corrosion. These are allproperties strongly associatedwith the marine environment,particularly in the manufacture andrepair of ships, boats and yachts.Sikaflex ® elastic bonding/sealingsystems allow for:Joining of similar and dissimilarmaterialsWider production tolerances2
Bonding and Sealing BasicsSika’s adhesives and sealants areworking materials which show goodaffinity for other surfaces. Their taskis to flow as a liquid onto and intothe contours of a surface and thentransform themselves into a solid,by developing both a physical and achemical bond with the substrate.Sika Marine Adhesive and SealantSystems can range from fluid liquidsto heavy thixotropic paste-likesystems, able to supply low-to-highstrengthvalues and cure to a highlyelastic or rigid bond. The ability ofthe adhesive or sealant to “wet” asurface is very critical in thedevelopment of a proper bond;solidification (curing) can take placethrough a physical or a chemicalreaction or through both at thesame time. Experience has shownthat chemically reactive adhesiveslike Sikaflex ® have the higheststrength, durability and resistanceto water.PreparationCorrect surface preparation is key tosuccessful bonding.Where there are weak orcontaminated surfaces, extensivepreparation maybe needed to ensurea perfect bond. Typical problems aredust, dirt, grease, oil, rust, flakingpaint, etc.The preparation selected will dependon the type of substrate (metal,plastic, paint, wood, etc.), theoperating conditions in service, thedegree of surface deterioration andthe practicalities of any particularinstallation. See the ‘notes onsubstrates’ in this manual or contactSika for details.Mechanical CleaningMechanical preparation, will berequired if, for example, corrosion isapparent, weak surface layersprevail, or surface degradation isshowing. The level of cleaning willbe determined by the type of surfaceand the degree of deterioration.Preparation techniques include theuse of abrasive nylon pads, abrasivepaper/fabric, wire brushing, abrasivewheels, and wet or dry grit blasting.Following mechanical treatment,additional cleaning with solventsmay also be required.Dedusting, DegreasingIf compressed air is used to removedust from surfaces, the air should befiltered to remove traces of oil.The use of vacuum cleaners is evenbetter for dust removal. Allnonporous surfaces must be cleanedprior to Sikaflex ® application.Only Sika-recommended cleaningmaterials should be used. Solvents,such as White Spirits and alcoholbased, are not recommended as theycan hinder cure or subsequentadhesion. Always use clean, lintfreewipes, and change them frequentlyto ensure that the contamination isremoved from and not redistributedonto the surface.Once clean, the substrates shouldbe left to completely dry beforeproceeding to the next operation.Note: Certain solvents, includingSika Cleaner ® -205, are notrecommended for use on absorbentsubstrates as unevaporated solventscan affect the curing mechanism ofSikaflex ® .PrimingPriming is a means of transforming asurface, either chemically, physicallyor both, into an ideal condition forsuccessful bonding, thus ensuringlong-term performance. The simplestform of priming is wiping theprepared surface with a conditioner(such as Sika Activator ® ) whichreacts with the surface providingimproved “wetting” characteristicsand more reactive sites.Porous and rough surfaces requirea primer with “film-forming”properties to re-profile the surface,producing a denser, more even bondline.Primers must always be allowed todry thoroughly before application ofthe Sikaflex ® adhesive. If left toolong, primed areas must be reappliedor reactivated. Minimum andmaximum drying times are given inthe primer chart in this guide.Primed surfaces should be protectedfrom contamination by dust, dirt,grease, vapours, moisture, etc., untilthe bond is formed.3
Page 1 and 2: C AULKINGL EVELLINGB EDDINGP ROTECT
Page 3: ContentsIntroduction2Bonding and Se
Page 7 and 8: Instructions forBonding Teak DecksP
Page 9 and 10: Instructions forCaulking Teak Decks
Page 11 and 12: Instructions forBonding Anti-Slip D
Page 13 and 14: Instructions forBonding Timber Comp
Page 15 and 16: Instructions forSealing of High-UV-
Page 17 and 18: Instructions ForKeel-to-Hull Joints
Page 19 and 20: Instructions forBonding and Sealing
Page 21 and 22: Instructions forBonding and Sealing
Page 23 and 24: Notes on SubstratesGeneralSubstrate
Page 25 and 26: Sikaflex ® Marine Adhesives and Se
Page 27 and 28: Primer Chart for Sika Marine Applic
Page 29 and 30: Notes27
Page 31 and 32: Worldwide Sika bondsthe finest craf

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