DESCRIPTION
Specifically designed for aquariums. Used by major aquarium manufacturers.
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8
SEALANTS AND ADHESIVES
Product description
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 is a one-part, acetoxy
high performance silicone sealant for construction of
aquariums.
Properties
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 cures at room
temperature in the presence of atmospheric moisture
to give a permanent flexible silicone rubber.
Special features
- long shelf life
- non-sag
- excellent tooling characteristics for professional
use
- readily gunnable both at low (+5 °C) and high
(+40 °C) temperatures
- rapid crosslinking: quickly becomes tack-free and
crack resistant
- flexible at low (-40 °C) and high temperatures
(+150 °C) following cure
- low shrinkage on curing
- special high-viscosity paste
- excellent mechanical properties
Application
- Sealing of joints exposed to high mechanical loads
- Sealing of joints which need to quickly build up
mechanical strength
- Suitable for glazing and industrial applications
- Especially suitable for the construction of
aquariums which meet the requirements of
DIN 32 622. Ensure bond thickness is at
least 1mm. For this specific application
the temperature should be between +15 °C
and +40 °C
Adhesion
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 exhibits excellent
primerless adhesion to most non-porous siliceous
materials (e.g. glass, tiles, ceramics, enamel, glazed
tiles); metals (e.g. aluminum, steel, zinc or copper);
impregnated, varnished or painted wood; and some
plastics.
Users must carry out own tests due to the great variety
of substrates.
The adhesion can be improved in many cases by
pretreatment of the substrate with a primer.
Processing
The substrate areas that will be in contact with the
sealant must be clean, dry and free of all loose
material such as dust, dirt, rust, oil and other
contaminants. Non-porous substrates should be
cleaned with a solvent and clean, lint-free, cotton cloth.
Remove residual solvent before it evaporates with a
fresh clean, dry cloth. For application from cartridges
cut thread open, fix nozzle on top and cut to required
bead size. The sealant can be applied in beads or
layers. It requires moisture in order to cure.
The curing time can take longer at lower temperatures,
lower humidity or by low volume of air exchange.
Restrictions on use
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 should not be used on
substrates such as marble, concrete, fibrous cement
and mortar, as the product releases acetic acid duringcuring.
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 should not be used in
contact with metals such as lead, copper, brass or zinc
due to corrosion.
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 may be discolored in
contact with some organic elastomers, e.g. EPDM and
neoprene.
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 is not suitable for
applications involving contact with natural stone, such
as marble, granite, quartzite, as it can cause staining.
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 is not suitable for
insulating glass applications.
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 should not be used on
pre-stressed polyacrylate elements as it may cause
environmental stress cracking.
It is the responsibility of the user to test the
compatibility of the sealant with the adjoining
materials. Incompatible substances like coatings or
organic plasticizers can lead to discoloration of the
sealant. Cleaning agents and gaseous emissions can
damage the sealant in its function or change its
appearance. WACKER cannot make a general
statement to the compatibility of all these varying
materials with the sealant. In case of doubt the user
shall conduct appropriate preliminary tests.
Storage
The 'Best use before end' date of each batch is shown
on the product label.
Storage beyond the date specified on the label does
not necessarily mean that the product is no longer
usable. In this case however, the properties required
for the intended use must be checked for quality
assurance reasons.
Packaging
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 is usually supplied in
standard size cartridges that fit all standard caulking
guns.
Additional information
WACKER® 121 - AQUARIUM 8 meets following
specifications:
- DIN 32622 TÜV Rheinland
(Rhineland Technical Inspection Authority):
Approved as sealing compound for the
construction of aquariums (R60007911
dated July 13,2004)
- ASTM C 910, type S, grade NS,
class 25, use NT, G and A
- ISO 11600-G, Class 20 HM
- BS 5889, 1989:
"One-component gun grade silicone-based
sealants".
Type B "Sealing compound for universal
use in construction joints".
Safety notes
Comprehensive instructions are given in the
corresponding Material Safety Data Sheets. They are
available on request from WACKER subsidiaries or
may be printed via WACKER web site
http://www.wacker.com.
During vulcanization acetic acid is released. These
vapors should not be inhaled for long periods or in high
concentration. Hence, good ventilation of the work
place is necessary. Should uncured silicone rubber
come into contact with eyes or mucous membranes,
the affected area must be rinsed thoroughly with water
as irritation will otherwise be caused. Avoid prolonged
contact of uncured sealant with the skin - use a dry
cloth or paper to remove it.
Keep out of reach of children.
Cured silicone rubber, however, can be handled
without any risk to health.
Product data
Typical general characteristics Inspection Method Value
Cure type Acetoxy
Uncured / unvulcanized paste
Density at 23 °C ISO 1183-1 A 1,03 g/cm3
Consistency ISO 7390 non-sag
Extrusion rate at 6 bar internal method 250 g/min
Skin forming time at 23 °C / 50 % r.h. internal method approx. 15 min
Cured / vulcanized rubber
Hardness Shore A ISO 868 22
Modulus at 100 % (joint) ISO 8339-A 0,5 N/mm2
Tensile strength (joint) ISO 8339-A 0,8 N/mm2
Ultimate elongation (joint) ISO 8339-A 200 %
Modulus at 100 % (S2-dumbbell) ISO 37 0,41 N/mm2
Tensile strength (S2-dumbbell) ISO 37 1,6 N/mm2
Ultimate elongation (S2-dumbbell) ISO 37 490 %
Movement capability ISO 9047 25 %
These figures are only intended as a guide and should not be used in preparing specifications.
