DOW Corning 895 structural glazing sealants, supplied by ABE Construction Chemicals, was used to seal the expansive and spectacular skylights of the new Table Bay Mall in Table View, Cape Town.
ABE is part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group and sole South African distributor for the Belgian-produced Dow Corning range of structural glazing sealants, insulating glass, and sealants for expansion joints on highways, airport aprons and bridges.
Table Bay Mall is a Zenprop development, built by Group Five Construction, and designed by Vivid Architects.
Grant Batty, National Manager: Silicones, Sealants and Adhesives for ABE, said Dow Corning 895 – which was specified for the Table Bay Mall skylights as well as the glazed façades around the shopping complex’s entrances – is a single component silicone sealant globally used for structural glazing.
“The product provides excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates, including anodised and powder-coated aluminium profiles; and stainless steel profiles. It meets stringent European standards for structural glazing, and is odourless with a non-corrosive curing system. The cured product has excellent weathering characteristics and is resistant to UV radiation, heat and humidity.”
The applicator of the structural glazing sealant for the skylights was Cloud 9 Skylights, a Dow Corning Quality Bond member.
Cloud 9 Skylights also applied Dow Corning 813C as exterior weatherproofing sealant to the skylights. Dow Corning 813C is a one-part, neutral curing, low modulus sealant suitable for interior and exterior applications, such as weather seals, expansion joints, and perimeter joints in buildings and other types of structures. “It has a joint movement capability of + 50% as well as -50% and provides strong, un-primed adhesion to various substrates, including glazed surfaces, concrete, masonry, brick, wood, and some plastics,” Batty said.
The application of the combination of Dow Corning 895 and 813C at Table Bay Mall’s entrances was done by another Dow Corning Quality Bond member, CGA Fenestrations, with which ABE has also had a long-established relationship.
Batty said the reputation of Dow Corning sealants – already for many decades the top quality standard for structural glazing – was further enhanced by the DC Quality Bond applicator programme offered to specifiers and developers.
“With inadequate application, even the finest sealants can fail. But now specifiers and developers are assured that Dow Corning sealants will only be applied by Quality Bond applicators who meet the company’s stringent rules of compliance. Quality Bond guarantees that the level of the workmanship and application will meet the most demanding requirements for safety and durability. Quality Bond applicators, furthermore, have to be audited annually to have their certification renewed,” Batty said.
Dow Corning also markets and promotes the services of Quality Bond members among specifiers worldwide and offers its respected technical expertise to ensure that projects are carried out according to the company’s strict quality control system. Laboratory testing on substrates to check adhesion, compatibility and staining enable Dow Corning to make formal recommendations for the product selection and use.
“The provision of blueprint reviews, design calculations for structural and weather-sealing joints, project audits, training and warranties all contribute to the total peace of mind package now offered to specifiers,” Batty added.