A Newsletter of Innovative Building Solutions Vol 1. May 2013

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1 Sika ConstructioNEWS A Newsletter of Innovative Building Solutions Vol 1. May 2013 Dear Valued Customer, We are pleased to bring you the first edition of Sika ConstructioNEWS, A Newsletter of Innovative Building Solutions! It has been roughly twenty years since we did a newsletter. Some of you may remember, it was called Sika News. A lot has changed at Sika since this newsletter was last published. 20 Years ago our focus was SikaTops, sealants and epoxies. Since then we have launched corrosion inhibitors and corrosion mitigation systems, frp strengthening systems, epoxy and cement grouts, fast-set mortars and concretes. More recently, we launched a traffic waterproofing system (Sikalastic 710/715 and 720/745), bought a roofing company and introduced those products (Sikalastic 621 and 624) and bought a silicone sealant company and launched those products (Sikasil WS 290 and 295). ne thing that has not changed: the people! As I read through the last published Sika News, illustrated below, I was excited to see that many of the people mentioned are still with us! We are very proud of that fact. We know it is important to have a great company with great people to stand behind our great products. In order to keep you informed about what is new at Sika, we plan to publish Sika ConstructioNews on a quarterly basis. There are 3 main sections that represent the core of our business: 1) concrete repair and protection, 2) sealants and 3) building envelope. We also plan to include articles that tackle technical issues (Tech Briefs) update you on new acquisitions and make you aware of anything else we think our customers would be interested to know. We hope you enjoy this newsletter. We thank you for your business! Timothy Gillespie Director of Marketing, Contractors Business Unit, Sika USA

2 Repair&ProtectionNews Sika enters the US market with an exciting product launch, Silane Sealers by Aamer Syed In March 2013, Sika Corporation made its much awaited entry in the penetrating sealer market. These products are also referred to as hydrophobic impregnations in the European Market. Classified as a FIT project by corporate marketing, the contractors BU is excited to add three exciting products to its wide range of multiple product solutions that improve durability of existing concrete. Silane sealers are non-film forming protective material which are applied on concrete with rollers or sprayers. These materials are widely used on bridges, parking decks, buildings to prevent moisture ingress and chloride intrusion, both of which are detrimental to concrete. Contractors Business unit is very active in the market segments of buildings, bridges, parking decks and these new products fit in perfectly to complete other existing water proofing solutions that include epoxy, polyurethane and acrylics. With the addition of these products Sika will be equipped with more tools to offer to owners and offer a complete Sika package. Basic Silicone technologies include silane, slioxane and silconates. Silanes are considered to offer the best penetration and hence the leading choice of specifiers in the market today. Silicone sealers are further classified by the active solid content in their formulation which range from 20% to 100%. Sika will be launching a 40% (Sikagard 740W) and a 100% (Sikagard 705L) product. The third product being offered in this package is a unique cream type material which offers the best penetration in single coat applications. Sikagard 706 Thixo is bound to create some excitement in the market, for it s unique characteristics. These products were introduced at the regional meeting of the Contractors business unit in January. Some of the tools that will be offered with the product launch include tds, specs, presentations, brochures, fact sheets, and independent testing reports. pen for water vapor diffusion Hydrophobic effect R Si R Si Strong bonding to the substrate

3 Sika Global Silicone Sealants Supplier SealantNews by Eric Meunch You have known Sika for years as a global supplier of Polyurethane sealants. Sikaflex 1a, Sikaflex 15LM and Sikaflex 2c are common product names that you have used and specified for many years. You trust these products because you have used them and they have performed for you over the years. As Sika has grown in the USA and globally, Sika has entered the Silicone sealant business as well. Mainly through Acquisition, Sika started many years ago to increase its expertise in silicone sealant technology. With Sika s range of Silicone sealants we expect you will find the same high performance qualities that you have experienced over the years with our other sealants. Sika entered the Silicone business with the acquisition of engineering silicone business from Wacker Silicones in March of Then in late 2010 with the acquisition of May National, Sika took further steps to strengthen the overall silicone sealant offering. These acquisitions marked a clear approach for Sika to have a strong silicone offering to complement the existing Polyurethane products. Silicone sealants in Sika s Construction Business are marketed under names such as Sikasil WS290, Sikasil WS295 positioned for the weatherseal market. Products such as Sikasil 728 SL are positioned to take advantage of the DT roadway joint market. Sikasil N Plus for light commercial and residential and Sikasil GP is positioned as a general purpose silicone. Many other structural glazing sealants and curtainwall sealants are sold through Sika s Industry and Fenestration business units. Sika s silicone sealants are manufactured in Lakewood, NJ about 60 minutes south of the main Lyndhurst, NJ headquarters. With Sika s addition of silicone sealants into the overall product offering, Sika puts specifiers, contractors and distributors in a position to cover the spectrum of applications when it comes to weatherseal applications in the building façade market and other commercial construction applications that require sealants. Please contact your local Sika sales person to learn more about our Sikasil Silicone sealants and how we can help you on your next sealant project.

4 Sika Silicones Gain SWRI Validation SealantNews by Will Hutchison Sika is proud to announce the recent Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute validation of Sikasil WS-295 and Sikasil WS-290, two key products in the Sikasil product range. SWRI is an industry group that verifies product performance through testing to ensure that customers are getting the highest quality products. SWRI approval signifies independently verified product performance in key sealant specifications and reaffirms the quality that satisfied Sika customers have recognized in the field. The tests in the sealant validation program, ASTM C719 and ASTM C661, asses a sealant s joint movement capability, adhesion to different substrates and hardness. These approvals once more demonstrate the industry-leading quality of Sika s sealant products and solutions. Sikasil WS-295 is a high performance, low-modulus and versatile silicone sealant. It gained SWRI validation for a joint movement of +/- 50%, exemplifying its great elastic properties. The WS 295 shines compared to competitive products in SWRI verified primerless adhesion WS 295 passed ASTM C719 unprimed on glass, unprimed on aluminum and unprimed on mortar. This strong performance shows why Sikasil WS 295 is the cornerstone of Sika s silicone line and well respected around the country. Sikasil WS-290 is a high performance, ultra-lowmodulus sealant for use with EIFS and in applications where extreme joint movement is expected. With an ASTM C661 measured Shore A hardness of 12, WS 290 creates very little stress on bond lines, making it perfect for EIFS applications. Its SWRI validated +100/-50% joint movement capability demonstrates the ability to handle high movement joints. Sikasil WS 290 s unique characteristics offer unmatched performance in many sealant applications. Sika is proud to provide industry-leading silicone and polyurethane sealant solutions, and we are happy that Sikasil WS 295 and Sikasil WS 290 are receiving the industry approval that they deserve. Pictured Above: Ray Russo, District Sales Manager for the Contractors Business Unit, doing the first series of pull tests at US Bank; 31 stories above greater Phoenix! The results of these tests revealed that Sikasil 295 bonded successfully.

5 Building Envelope Solutions SikaSmartNews by Gary smond Today s buildings require high-performance envelope systems that surround a structure and protect it from the elements. SikaSmart from Sika Corporation promotes building functionality, enhances appearance and extends the life of buildings and many of their major structural components. Separating conditioned interior space from unconditioned outdoor space is a challenging task that goes beyond simply keeping water out of your building. According to the EPA, buildings are responsible for 39 percent of total energy consumption and account for 68 percent of electricity use. Sika has the product solutions, technical knowledge and service network needed to fully assist designers and building owners with building envelope system options that protect structures from deterioration and promote sustainability. The company s experience in the construction industry has led to an unmatched reputation for technological expertise and product integrity. Notably, SikaSmart features single-source management from a trusted and reliable supplier, thereby alleviating many of the headaches architects, consultants and building owners encounter when dealing with multiple manufacturers. sealants, primers, waterproofing and insulating materials, flooring membrane adhesives and underlayments, and chemical additives for concrete production. Also offered are consultation services on building design, construction and contracting, site-work monitoring, maintenance and repair, and product and installation warranties. Committed to sustainability and the environment, Sika has made significant contributions to green roofing and flooring with low-vc products and solutions for energy- and resource-efficiency, climate protection and air quality. The company s adhesives for solar and wind power installations help produce cleaner energy, while its concrete admixtures reduce water consumption and C2 emissions. Sika supports worldwide green projects, such as the international Living Lakes network organized by the Global Nature Fund. In addition the company is a member of a number of environmental organizations, including the United Nations Environment Program and the Sustainable Buildings and Construction Initiative. ur customized building envelope strategies minimize threats to buildings and help maximize return on investment, says Gary smond, Sika s senior marketing manager building envelope. Every portion of a building s outer structure is subject to weathering, water intrusion, air leakage and premature deterioration of construction materials. These problems often result in costly maintenance and repair, higher energy costs, poor indoor air quality, and ultimately a shorter lifespan for the building itself. SikaSmart solutions for building envelopes provide superior protection for roofing, exterior walls and windows, interior and mechanical spaces, parking garages, balconies, plaza decks, and basements and other below-grade areas. In addition they help control energy costs, an increasingly important consideration in today s construction. These solutions comprise a variety of products, including roofing, flooring and traffic deck membranes, liquid and sheet air barrier systems, wall façade protective coatings,

6 Cleaning and Maintenance of Sikaflex Sealants &/or Sikagard Coatings TechNews by Ray Williamson Generally speaking, fully cured Sikaflex polyurethane elastomeric sealants and Sikagard acrylic-based, waterdispersed Facade Coatings are considered low maintenance items. However, if a client wishes to clean the areas where Sikaflex polyurethane elastomeric sealants or Sikagard Façade Coatings have been installed and allowed to fully cure, typically water or a mixture of water and a very mild, bio-degradable soap using a soft bristle brush followed by thorough rinsing with additional water can be used. Do not use solvents or harsh chemicals which could result in the breakdown of the installed material. If pressure-washing / power-washing, use caution by applying the least amount of pressure possible to be effective but not damage or delaminate the sealant or coating. Sika Corporation strongly recommends a trial to determine effectiveness of method and appearance of sealant / coating. Please note the use of cleaners, the activity of wash downs and the weather may alter the appearance of the cured sealant / coating. Recommendations are given only as guidelines, used to assist facility personnel in establishing their own cleaning and maintenance program. For additional information on the particular Sikaflex polyurethane sealant or Sikagard Façade Coating installed, product data sheets and other literature can be viewed at Sika Corporation s website: Should you have further questions or require additional information please feel free to contact Sika s Technical Services Department at , option # 5.

7 Sikalastic RoofPro - Advanced Technology Liquid Applied Membrane LAMNews by Paul Allenstein Liquid applied reinforced membranes such as Sikalastic 621 TC and Sikalastic 624 AR are being recognized throughout the industry as a preferred solution to a wide range of roofing and waterproofing problems. This is due to their ability to conform to any substrate shape, bond tenaciously to most common construction materials, and provide a tough, seamless roofing and waterproofing membrane/flashing system that is inherently leak-free. The Sikalastic RoofPro system combines a single-component Sikalastic liquid resin with a strong Reemat fiberglass reinforcement or non-woven polyester fleece reinforcement to provide a high-performance and cost-effective roofing and waterproofing solution. Compared to other systems, the moisture-triggered Sikalastic RoofPro systems offer an unsurpassed combination of important performance advantages: Single component MTC (moisture-triggered chemistry) formulation eliminates measuring and mixing, and provides a long pot life even in hot weather. Moisture-triggered chemistry provides extraordinary resistance to unexpected rainstorms, as well as to oils, grease, and corrosive chemicals. Class A fire-rated and Energy Star reflective without the need of an additional maintenance coating; Cold application eliminates the hazards and costs associated with torches, kettles, propane tanks, hot bitumen, etc. Strong fiberglass reinforcement saturates effortlessly, conforms easily to flashing conditions, and does not create unsightly lap lines. Resilient polyester fleece reinforcement allows one-step application, and automatically controls membrane thickness. Self-adhering, self-terminating flashings eliminate pitch pockets, termination bars, adhesives, caulking, and other problematic conditions. Five standard colors for architectural flexibility: White, Pearl Gray, Steel Gray, Mushroom, and Copper Green. Full material and workmanship warranties are available, for durations of up to 25 years Compatible with Sika cementitious repair mortars, air barriers, and sealants.. Use Sikalastic 621 TC for all exposed roofing and waterproofing applications, as well as IRMA roof, concrete paver, and vegetative roof installations. Use Sikalastic 624 AR for all buried applications, including concrete and tile/thinset and tile/mudset installations.

8 Dear Valued Customer, We hope you have enjoyed this first addition of Sika ConstructioNews. If you would like more information about Sika, our products or the topics covered in this issue, there are many ways you can contact us. We are also very proud of the level of service we offer our customers. This level of service includes experienced technical service personnel who can offer phone support about a wide range of topics including product selection and use. In addition, our local field representatives can visit you or your project in person to help you develop a specific solution for your project, locate local sources for product and guide you to a network of trained contractors experienced in the work required for the project a single source, a brand you can trust! Technical Services Department , option # 5 Click here to visit the Sika Web Site. Click here to locate a representative near you. Click here to locate a distributor near you. Sincerely, Timothy Gillespie Director of Marketing, Contractors Business Unit, Sika USA LSU Tiger Stadium North End Zone Sika ConstructioNEWS A Newsletter of Innovative Building Solutions Vol 1. May 2013