What is an acetoxy silicone?
An acetoxy silicone is a sealant which releases acetic acid whilst curing. This sealant is commonly recognised by its strong vinegar-like smell.
What is a neutral cure silicone?
A neutral cure silicone is a sealant which releases alcohol or another non-acidic substance whilst curing. This sealant has virtually no or has completely no odour.
What is the difference between acetoxy and neutral cure silicone?
As acetoxy cure silicones release acetic acid whilst curing they can cause problems when used on certain substrates. When used on natural stone they can cause discolouration, when used on certain metals they can cause corrosion and on bituminous surfaces they can cause "bleeding" of the bitumen. So when applying sealant to sensitive surfaces we would always recommend using a neutral cure silicone over a acetoxy silicone as they will not react. Generally acetoxy silicones are used for kitchens, bathrooms and other internal sealing applications as they are more cost effective and faster curing than their neutral curing counterparts. Whereas neutral cure silicones have better adhesion and weatherproofing properties compared to acetoxy silicones making them the superior option for external applications.
