Table of Contents
- Product Overviews
- Product Comparison
- How to Choose the Right Tremco Product
- Application & Dispensing
- FAQs
The joint sealant you use can have a significant long-term impact on the performance and appearance of the joint. Tremco Commercial Sealants and Waterproofing is a manufacturer of numerous joint sealants with varying properties and benefits for different applications. The key is determining which one is right for your particular needs.
Our team reviews and compares a few Tremco concrete joint sealants and products, including:
- Tremco Dymonic® 100
- Tremco Dymonic® FC
- Tremco Vulkem® 45SSL
- Tremco Vulkem® 116
- Tremco TREMproof® 201/60
Whether you are sealing expansion joints, waterproofing a podium deck, or selecting a sealant for a high-movement facade joint, knowing the strengths and limitations of each product helps ensure you make the right choice for your project.
Tremco Joint Sealants Product Overviews
While all these products can be used in similar applications, they have unique properties and serve slightly different purposes. Some are formulated for high-movement joints, while others are designed primarily for vertical surfaces. Our team gives a brief overview of these Tremco joint sealants and materials, including their benefits and ideal applications.
Tremco Dymonic® 100
Tremco Dymonic 100 is a single-component polyurethane sealant. With a movement capability of +100/-50%, it provides durable and flexible seals that are ideal for moving joints in typical field conditions. The Tremco Dymonic 100 polyurethane sealant has a non-sag, low-VOC, and UV-stable formulation. Compatible with numerous construction substrates, it can also adhere to damp or green concrete without outgassing. The Dymonic 100 from Tremco is jet-fuel resistant.
Common Applications:
- Expansion and control joints
- Precast concrete panel joints
- Perimeter caulking (windows, doors, and panels)
- Aluminum
- Masonry
- Vinyl siding
Tremco Dymonic® FC
A high-performance product, Dymonic FC from Tremco is a single-component hybrid sealant that Tremco designed specifically with fast-curing performance in mind. It has a skin time of 60 minutes and a tack-free time of 3 to 4 hours for faster jobsite turnaround times. The Tremco Dymonic FC sealant also has a movement capability of ± 35% for compatibility with moving joint applications. It is low modulus, paintable, low VOC, and will not crack or craze with UV exposure.
Common Applications:
- Expansion and control joints
- Precast concrete panel joints
- Perimeter caulking (windows, door, panels)
- EIFs
- Aluminum
- Masonry
- Vinyl siding
Tremco Vulkem® 45SSL
The Vulkem 45SSL joint sealant is a semi-self-leveling polyurethane that is designed primarily for horizontal applications with slopes up to 6%. It offers great UV resistance, jet fuel resistance, and wear-and-tear resistance for demanding sealing environments. The Vulkem 45SSL one-part sealant can also be continuously immersed in non-chlorinated water.
Common applications:
- Expansion joints in sidewalks
- Swimming pool decks
- Plazas
- Floors
Tremco Vulkem® 116
A single-component polyurethane, the Tremco Vulkem 116 sealant is a general-purpose, gun-grade sealant for exterior construction applications. It has a movement capacity of ± 25% for dynamic joints and is also compatible with some water immersion applications. The Vulkem 116 polyurethane adhesive also offers excellent primerless adhesion to many porous substrates.
Common Applications:
- Sealing expansion joints
- Window and door perimeters
- Masonry work
Tremco TREMproof 201/60
While TREMproof 201/60 is not a joint sealant, we still wanted to showcase it in this list because it is often used in conjunction with one of the Tremco joint sealants mentioned above. TREMproof 201/60 is a one-component elastomer used as a waterproofing membrane. It comes in both self-leveling or roller-applied formulations that are compatible with applications to horizontal and vertical surfaces at 1.5mm wet film thickness.
Common applications include:
- Plaza decks
- Roof terraces
- Pedestrian concourses
- Kitchens
- Parking garages
- Swimming pools
- Backfilled walls
- Basement walls
- Split slabs
Quick Comparison of Materials
Now that you have a clearer understanding of the different joint sealants from Tremco, it's time to take a closer look at how they compare. To help simplify the selection process, our team put together the chart below highlighting the key differences, performance characteristics, and ideal applications for each material.
| Product | Product Type | Movement Capability | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dymonic 100 | Polyurethane Sealant | +100/-50% | expansion joints and high-movement facades |
| Dymonic FC | Hybrid Sealant | ±35% | perimeter sealing and fast-track projects |
| Vulkem 116 | Gun-Grade Polyurethane Sealant | ±25% | general exterior construction joints |
| Vulkem 45SSL | Semi-Self-Leveling Polyurethane Sealant | ±35% | horizontal traffic joints |
| TREMproof 201/60 | Waterproofing Membrane | N/A | continuous waterproofing systems |
How to Choose the Right Tremco Product
Selecting the right Tremco sealant or material will depend on your specific requirements. Our team recommends looking at the following factors when deciding between Tremco joint sealants.
- Identify whether the joint is horizontal or vertical.
- Evaluate expected joint movement.
- Consider cure-time requirements.
- Review water exposure conditions.
- Assess traffic exposure and wear conditions.
- Verify substrate compatibility.
When you evaluate these factors and outline these requirements, you can narrow down your choices and avoid choosing the wrong product.
Application & Dispensing
Selecting the right Tremco sealant is only part of the process. Proper application and dispensing of the material play a major role in its long-term performance. It is imperative to follow the application requirements outlined by the specific Tremco sealant’s technical datasheet.
Some materials cannot be used on damp or contaminated surfaces. Other Tremco sealants are only compatible with certain paints or waterproofing materials. Always confirm compatibility with the environment and other materials before application. It is also important to note that proper storage of the materials is necessary to avoid compromising the performance of the material.
When it comes to dispensing, the equipment you use will largely depend on the packaging of the material. For smaller jobs where cartridges are sufficient, use a single-component cartridge gun. Manual guns are great for quick repairs or occasional use, while pneumatic options may be a better choice for more regular work.
If you are using bulk packaging (or looking to bump up your production), a compatible bulk dispensing system is the way to go. These systems can drastically improve speed, efficiency, and consistency. We recommend the AST SP-5 pump filler for 5-gallon pail dispensing of any of the Tremco materials talked about in the article. This portable system is commonly used in the field and has a continuous flow up to 1/2 GMP for great productivity. It also has an adjustable flow rate and power factor ratio for more versatility. If you are using 55-gallon drums, the SP 55 drum pump is made for higher output joint sealing applications and is also compatible with the Tremco joint sealants.
Whether you are applying sealants in the field or integrating them into a manufacturing process, selecting the right dispensing equipment can help improve application accuracy, reduce operator fatigue, and support more consistent results across every project.
Get More Advice
Tremco offers a comprehensive lineup of sealants and waterproofing products designed to address a wide range of applications. The right choice depends on your overall project objectives. By understanding how each material is designed to perform, you can make more informed specification decisions and improve long-term performance.
If you're evaluating the Tremco sealants and materials for your project, our team can help you identify the best solution for your application and dispensing requirements. Contact us to learn more.
Dispensing.com is not affiliated with Tremco. Tremco is a registered trademark of Tremco Incorporated.
