Silicone Sealants Comparison: Acid vs. Alkoxy vs. Oxime Types

Although acid-type, alkoxy-type, and oxime-type silicone sealants all belong to the organic silicone sealant family, their curing mechanisms and by-products differ fundamentally. This difference directly affects their corrosiveness, substrate compatibility, and suitable application scenarios. This article provides a scientific selection guide through a systematic comparative analysis.

Comprehensive Silicone Sealants Performance Comparison

The three types of sealants are compared below from three dimensions: corrosiveness, odor characteristics, and material compatibility.

Table 1: Basic Performance Comparison

Table 2: Material Compatibility Comparison (✓ = Suitable; ✗ = Not Suitable; △ = Conditionally Suitable)

Detailed Silicone Sealants Type Analysis 

1. Acid-Type Silicone Sealant

Cures by releasing acetic acid. It offers high bond strength and fast curing speed. However, the by-product acetic acid is strongly irritating and corrosive, limiting its use with metals, stone, and precision electronic components. Typical applications include aquarium construction where long-term water immersion is required.

2. Alkoxy-Type Silicone Sealant

Cures by releasing alcohol compounds. It is non-corrosive, offers excellent environmental performance, very low odor, good weather resistance, and broad material compatibility. It is suitable for architectural curtain walls, automotive manufacturing, new energy, and electronics industries, making it the optimal general-purpose choice with the best overall performance.

3. Oxime-Type Silicone Sealant

Cures via the release of oxime compounds. It features a relatively fast curing speed and good bonding performance. However, it poses a corrosion risk to materials like copper and polycarbonate (PC), and the released oxime substances may cause irritation in confined spaces. It is primarily used in road and bridge engineering, rail transit, and some building sealing applications.

Selection Advice and Common Misconceptions of Silicone Sealants

• Environmental performance should be determined based on national standards and authoritative certifications, not solely on odor intensity.

• There is no "universal adhesive". Selection must consider the chemical compatibility between the sealant and the substrate, especially for sensitive materials like copper, PC, mirrors, and coated glass.

• For indoor confined spaces or poorly ventilated conditions, priority should be given to low-volatility, odorless products such as alkoxy-type sealants.

Kingwit Chemical — Professional Sealing Solutions

As a leading enterprise in China's high-end adhesive industry, Kingwit provides a full range of organic silicone sealing products, covering acid-type, alkoxy-type, oxime-type, and other systems. We are committed to delivering reliable and professional sealing solutions for construction, industrial, and household application scenarios.