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Reliable seal for tanks and silos: the advantages of sealants

Safeguarding a reliable seal is crucial for tanks and silos. The seal must be durable and resistant against pressure, chemical substances and other environmental factors. Selecting the right sealing material can be a challenge.
 
In this article we talk about the advantages of sealants for tanks and silos. In addition, we also address themes such as maintenance and safety. Finally, we introduce you to our product range of sealants for tanks and silos.

Henry Veneman
Author Henry Veneman Technical Product Manager

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The importance of the right sealing system for tanks and silos

Tanks and silos for liquids or solids are usually made of stainless steel, concrete or enameled or coated steel plates. It is of crucial importance for all connections to be 100% leakproof. Aside from the plates, the floor-wall connections must also be sealed leakproof.
 
Various sealing systems have been developed to make tanks and silos leakproof, including coatings, liners, cladding systems and sealants. Selecting a sealant not only results in a leakproof seal, it also provides flexibility and absorption of movement. This is especially important for tanks and silos where structural movements, expansion and shrinkage can occur as a result of changes in temperature and mechanical loads. A sealant can absorb these movements without fissuring or without the seal coming loose.

Selecting the right sealing material for your tank

In selecting a sealant you can choose from various technologies, such as MS polymer, polyurethane, silicones or polysulphide. Although these technologies are all used for the same application(s), there are clear differences. Selecting the right sealing material can be a challenge. Various factors play a role in this:

  • The (chemical) contents of the tank;
  • The composition and finish of the walls and bottom (for example, coating);
  • The ambient temperature;
  • The temperature in the tank;
  • The certification requirements;
  • The tank’s expected service life.

Discover the advantages of MS polymer as the sealant technology for your tank or silo

There are many types of sealant technologies to choose from. Although all of these technologies serve the same goal, there are clear differences between them, each with unique advantages that make them suitable for specific situations. This whitepaper provides further insight into one of these sealant technologies, namely MS Polymer. We would like to clarify the advantages of MS polymer for your tank or silo, so that you can take a well-considered decision in selecting the right sealing system for your project.

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Maintenance and repair

Finding cost-effective solutions for the construction and maintenance of tanks and silos, without compromising on quality and safety, is a challenge. Tanks and silos require regular maintenance and, if necessary, can be repaired.
 
Sealants are an excellent solution for repair work. They can easily be repaired or replaced without having to remove the entire sealing system.
 
At SABA we offer various solutions for the maintenance and repair of your tank. Our specialists always succeed in finding a solution that fits your specific situation. Contact us without obligation for custom advice.

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Laws and regulations

Tank builders must comply with applicable laws and regulations and standards concerning the construction and sealing of tanks. The laws and regulations for sealing systems in tanks and silos can vary from country to country, and even between regions. Consult the specific regulations and standards that apply in your situation.

SABA products for tanks and silos

SABA specializes in high-quality elastic sealing materials for storage tanks and silos. SABA has the right sealing system in-house for tanks or silos for manure, biogas installations, drinking water, wastewater, food, petrochemicals or other chemicals. Tanks and silos have been successfully sealed with SABA systems for years throughout the world.

Our products offer:

✔️ Very high acid resistance; 
✔️Excellent chemical resistance;
✔️ Resistance to petrochemical and biochemical substances;
✔️ High temperature resistance;
✔️ Long shelf life;
✔️ Superior bonding to steel and concrete;
✔️ Excellent compatibility with various coatings;
✔️ Fast and easy application;
✔️ Lower sensitivity to moisture than PU during application;
✔️ UV resistance;
✔️ Free from hazard symbols;
✔️ Free from diisocyanates: no training required.

Our most often used products for sealing storage tanks and silos are:

SABA Ecoseal Bio HM (XL)

SABA Ecoseal Bio HM is a 1-component sealant with excellent mechanical and microbiological load-bearing properties. This MS polymer sealant is highly resistant to fresh and saltwater and therefore highly suitable for use in situations involving water. Moreover, an XL version with a longer open time of several hours is also available.

SABA Ecoseal AC

SABA Ecoseal AC is an acid-resistant, elastic MS polymer sealant, ideal for sealing areas which are subjected to microbiological loads and exposed to acids, such as biogas tanks and silos. The sealant is resistant to manure, wastewater and inorganic and organic acids such as milk, vinegar and citric acid.

SABA Sealer MB-T

SABA Sealer MB-T is a 2-component elastic, polysulphide-based sealant. This sealant is highly chemically resistant to hydrocarbons and is ideal for installations where substances that require high chemical resistance are stored, filled or treated.

Safety during application

Safety is of major importance during the construction process and operating phase of tanks and silos. Implementing the right safety measures, such as fall protection and avoiding risks, is essential.

Our products support a safe construction process. Free from harmful diisocyanates and other hazardous substances, they can be applied safely and shipped effortlessly.

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Your partner in sealing tanks and silos

At SABA we regularly conduct tests in our Research & Development laboratory to safeguard the bonding, strength and resilience of our products. We have extensive knowledge about the reaction of our products with various substances. Should there nevertheless be an unknown substance, we will test it in our laboratory to be able to select the right chemically resistant sealing product for your situation.
 
Furthermore, our experts possess in-depth application knowledge and offer advice and practical training. Our products have been successfully applied by numerous professional applicators and tank builders throughout the world.
 
Each situation requires a specific solution. Thanks to the close contact with our specialists and their custom advice, we can select the sealing system that best fits your specific needs together with you.
 
Complete the form below, without obligation, to contact us. We are happy to be your partner in sealing tanks and silos.

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