Marine Sealants & Adhesives

What Are Marine Sealants & Adhesives?

Marine adhesives and sealants are specially formulated to withstand the harsh conditions found in marine environments, such as exposure to saltwater, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations. They are used to bond and seal a wide variety of materials used in boats and ships, including wood, metal, fiberglass, and plastics.

Sabre offers the best marine adhesives and sealants available in Australia, ensuring top-quality solutions for marine applications.

Types of Marine Sealants & Adhesives

Some common types of marine adhesives include MS polymer adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, epoxy adhesives, and acrylic adhesives. Each of these types of adhesives has its own set of properties and uses, so it’s important to select the right adhesive for each specific application.

• MS Polymer adhesives are known for their high strength and flexibility, making them well-suited for applications that require the bonded materials to move or flex without breaking the bond. They are also resistant to UV light, water, and chemicals, which makes them a good choice for exterior applications.
• Epoxy adhesives, on the other hand, are known for their exceptional bond strength and durability. They are often used to bond wood, metal, and fiberglass, and are particularly useful in applications where high loads and stresses are expected. They have a very high level of water and chemical resistance, making them well-suited for marine applications.
• Acrylic adhesives (such as Methyl Methacrylate Adhesives) are also known for their exceptional high strength and fatigue resistance and are very commonly used in marine structural bonding applications, such as bonding fiberglass hulls and stringers. They are easy to work with and cure quickly, but they do not have good resistance to UV light and chemicals as compared to MS polymers and epoxy. 
• Sealants are used to fill in many interior and exterior marine applications, to prevent water ingress. There are various types of sealants available such as silicone, polyurethane, and MS polymer sealants. 

Advantages of Marine Sealants & Adhesives

Some of the advantages of marine sealants and adhesives include:

• Water resistance: Marine adhesives and sealants are designed to resist water absorption and retain their strength and durability in harsh marine environments. 
• UV resistance: Marine adhesives and sealants are formulated specifically with properties to resist degradation from sunlight, which is especially critical for exterior applications.
• Temperature resistance: Many marine adhesives and sealants are able to maintain their integral strength and flexibility over a wide range of temperatures, which is essential in environments where temperatures fluctuate frequently.
• High strength and durability: Marine adhesives and sealants are typically formulated to provide strong bonds and to maintain their integrity in structural bonding applications that have high bond stresses.
• Chemical resistance: Many marine adhesives and sealants are formulated to resist attack from chemicals commonly found in marine environments, such as salt water and fuel.
• Flexibility: Marine adhesives and sealants are often formulated to remain flexible and not crack, which can be especially important for applications where materials will expand and contract due to temperature changes or other environmental factors.
• Corrosion protection: Marine adhesives and sealants can provide a barrier that can help protect metal surfaces from corrosion, which can prolong the life of a boat or other marine vessel. Special anti-corrosion additives can sometimes be incorporated into the adhesive or sealant formulation to provide an additional level of protection. 

Applications of Marine Sealants & Adhesives

Adhesives and sealants are used in many marine applications. Below are five broad application areas:

• Structural bonding: Adhesives such as epoxies, acrylics, polyurethanes, and MS polymers are used to bond various materials together, such as wood, metal, and composites, in the construction of the boat’s hull, deck, and stringers.

• Waterproofing & Sealing: MS Polymer and polyurethane sealants are used to seal joints, seams, and gaps in the boat, such as around windows, hatches, and deck fittings to prevent water infiltration and maintain the integrity of the boat’s structure.
• Finishing & semi-structural bonding: Adhesives and sealants may also be used as part of the finishing process for boats, such as to bond and seal decals, graphics, and other decorative elements to the boat’s surface.
• Motor and Mechanical components: Adhesives and sealants are used to bond and seal various components of the boat’s motor, such as around the exhaust system and fuel tank, to prevent leaks.
• Upholstery and Interior: Adhesives and sealants are used to bond and seal the upholstery, such as seats and cushions, and other interior components to the boat’s deck or interior.

See Also:

• MS Sealants
• Caravan Adhesive Sealants
• Fire Sealants
• Industrial Adhesives