Sikaflex 1a sealant

[Safari Tim]

Everytime I want to do a small job on the trailer that needs vulkum I find my single tube is out or dried up.

I don't have a local place to get it so it's a pain to order it all the time.

I found my local Yardbirds started carring Sikaflex 1a in Aluminum color. It is a construction sealant polyurethane.

I seen this mentioned here before. Will it replace my need for vulkum?

[markdoane]

All I can tell you is:
Elongation
Sikaflex 1a = 500%
Vulkem 636 = 400%

Adhesion on aluminum
Sikaflex 1a = 3.4 N/mm
Vulkem 636 = 3.5 N/mm

Tensile stress
Sikaflex 1a = 1.37MPa
Vulkem 636 = 1.37 MPa

Shore A hardness
Sikaflex 1a = 35 to 45
Vulkem 636 = 25 to 30

And the price seems to be similar.
Sikaflex is approved by Canadian Food Inspection Agency, whereas Vulkem 636 is approved by USDA. In case you want to eat off it.

[Safari Tim]

Sounds like it should work based on the specs.

Has anyone been using it and been pleased with it?

[JPAIRSTREAM]

Sika flex is used at Airstream to seal the inside shell. Vulkem is no longer used to seal the inside of the trailer. If you go to the Airstream store you will see they sell it there..

This is FACT not fiction.....

[Ken J]

Just as an FYI Vulkem will last a long time if you put it in the freezer.

Ken J.

[markdoane]

JP,
Tim's asked for the comparison between Sikaflex 1a, available locally, and Vulkem.
The material that Airstream sells is Sikaflex 221.

Here is the information on Sikaflex 221

Elongation = 600%
Adhesion = 4.4 N/mm
Tensile stress = 1.54 MPa
Shore A hardness 45 to 50

So if you want to buy it from Airstream, that's what you get.

This is opinion, not fact:
Is Sikaflex 1a is better than Vulkem 636? Barely.
Would it work? Probably.

[Paulizor]

Sikaflex 1a can take day to even get tacky and a week to cure. Sikaflex 221 cures in a day.