Norton®Structural Glazing Spacers

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
One Sealants Park
Granville, NY 12832
Tel: (518) 642-2200
Toll Free: (800) 724-0883
Fax: (518) 642-2793
E-mail: sgppl.marketing@saint-gobain.com
Web site: http://www.nortonfoam.com

Norton® Spacer Tapes Contribute To The Success
Of Structural Silicone Glazing And Cladding Systems

Thermalbond® V2100 and V2200 Spacers
Thermalbond® is a registered trademark.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Structural silicone systems for glazing and cladding require compatible spacers to achieve reliable performance of the silicone adhesives. Norton's Thermalbond® is the most widely used spacers for structural silicone systems. They are available in a wide variety of sizes to accommodate typical silicone joint designs. And, in addition to holding the glass or cladding at a predetermined distance from the substrate for proper silicone joint design, they also offer a number of other benefits, including compatibility with other silicone sealants, a special adhesive surface, curing of sealants, a special formulation and thermal resistance.

Compatibility:
Thermalbond® is compatible with the silicone sealants and materials most frequently used for structural glazing and cladding (contact Technical Service for list).

Norton® Spacers will not significantly affect the color, physical properties or adhesion of compatible silicones. Because of the number of variables affecting each project, the silicone manufacturer should be consulted for approval of all components used with structural silicone systems, including Norton Spacers.

Adhesive Surface:
Norton® Spacers also come with an aggressive pressure-sensitive adhesive on one or both sides. The adhesive simplifies installation by securing the spacer into proper location and in factory glazing by helping to temporarily hold the glass or cladding substrate while permanent silicone adhesive is being installed and cured. A removable polyethylene liner is adhered to one face of the tape to simplify handling.

Curing of Silicone Sealants:
Norton® Spacers have an open cell structure. This allows air and moisture to reach the silicone to allow optimum curing.

Special Formulation:
Norton® Spacers are manufactured from a specially formulated, high density, semi-rigid polymer foam. They effectively maintain the required spacing between the glass or cladding and the substrate, but are resilient enough to adjust to minor surface irregularities and to cushion the glass during assembly. The resilience of Norton® Spacers also enables them to accommodate differential thermal expansion and contraction between glazing and metal framing.

Thermal Resistance:
Made of cellular foam, Norton® Spacers have low thermal conductivity and help to reduce heat loss through glass and condensation at framing members. This is especially important with insulated glass units, since the metal spacers in the insulated glass units can act as a thermal bridge, exposing curtainwall framing directly to exterior temperatures.

Advantages:
- As a spacer for glass, metal, stone, mineral cement and plastic panels in structural glazing systems, including two- and four-sided structural silicone glazing of curtain walls, storefronts, skylights and windows.
- To temporarily secure glazing or panels to framework in shop fabrication of unitized structural silicone glazing and cladding systems.
- To temporarily secure lightweight veneers to substrates while permanent structural silicone adhesives are curing. When used with thin stone, tile or architectural panels, this system can reduce weight and minimize the need for exposed fasteners.

Thermalbond® V2100 Series tape is recommended for field or shop installations.

Thermalbond® V2200 Series tape is more conformable and specially designed for shop installation or field installation of two-sided systems.

The products can also be used as a non-structural, double-stick tape for vibration dampening.

Precautions:
Norton® Spacer tapes are for use as spacers only. Their adhesive properties cannot be used as part of the permanent fastening system or in any way to reduce the amount of silicone adhesive recommended by the silicone manufacturer.

All mounting surfaces should be flat, without ribs or serrations. In order to develop temporary adhesion, surfaces should be dry, free from dirt, dust or contaminants. Wiping the bonding surfaces with a cleaning solution such as alcohol, followed by a dry wipe with a clean cloth is generally sufficient.

With some surfaces, it may be necessary to prime the surface with Norton Tite-R-Bond™ 2287A adhesion promoter.Consult Saint-Gobain Application Engineering for recommendations.

For four-sided on-site glazing or cladding, the use of supplemental fasteners to hold the panels in place is necessary until the silicone has cured in accordance with recommendations of silicone manufacturer. (Supplemental fasteners may not be required when installing lightweight veneer systems as described below or two-sided glazing).

Once Norton® Spacers are applied, they cannot be removed or reused; therefore, position sections carefully. Consideration should be given to the visual impact of the tape when viewed through a clear, single lite glass. Aesthetics can be improved by using a single side adhesive spacer tape with mechanical fasteners. Contact Saint-Gobain Application Engineering for details.

Description:
Norton Sealants are a specially formulated polyurethane foam tape faced with a pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive which forms an aggressive bond to most surfaces.

There is a polyethylene liner that is removed after application to expose the second adhesive face. The product is supplied in a range of sizes wound in rolls for easy application.

INSTALLATION

Preparatory Work: Clean mounting surfaces with a cleaning solvent such as alcohol and then wipe dry with a clean cloth. This removes dirt loosened by the solvent. Change cloth often. Caution: Observe fire safety precautions and provide fresh air and ventilation when using solvents.

When recommended by Saint-Gobain Application Engineering, apply Tite-R-Bond™ 2287A adhesion promoter as directed on container.

Methods: Apply Norton® Spacers from the roll to the metal framework. Press the tape down securely. Do not touch the adhesive surface.

The thickness of the tape and the amount of setback from the panel edge controls the silicone bead size. Recommendations of width of the tape should be determined by the silicone manufacturer.

Do not remove the liner from the tape until ready to secure the glass or panel in place. In some cases, removing the liner from between the glass and tape after the glass is in place is advantageous. Press the panel completely around the perimeter to insure complete adhesive contact. Once all of the components are in place, the silicone can be gunned. Follow the silicone manufacturer's recommendations with regard to the tooling of the joint and general application techniques.

Precautions: Norton® Spacers should be stored at 70°F and 50% relative humidity.

AVAILABILITY AND COST

Availability: Norton® Spacers are available from Saint-Gobain and through a worldwide network of master converters and authorized distributors.

Packaging: The product is wound into rolls with the length of each roll depending on the thickness of the tape.

Rolls are packaged in bulk. The number of rolls per carton depends on the width of the rolls; widths from 1/8" to 56" are available. Sheets for die-cutting are also available.

Cost: Contact Saint-Gobain or an authorized distributor for pricing. Norton® Spacers are cost efficient. Compared to other types of spacers, they do not require expensive extrusions, custom designed framing members or the added step of applying adhesive to the spacers in the field or shop. Installation is fast and easy.

WARRANTY

Limited Warranty: For a period of six months from the date of first sale, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation warrant this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship. Our only obligation will be to replace any portion proving defective, or at our option, to refund the purchase price thereof. User assumes all other risk, if any, including the risk of injury, loss or damage direct or consequential, arising out of the use, misuse, or inability to use, this product. THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
No deviation is authorized.

Roll Sizes

Thickness Length
1/8" 50' per Roll
3/16" 50' per Roll
1/4" 50' per Roll
3/8" 25' per Roll
1/2" 20' per Roll

TECHNICAL SERVICES

All materials used in a structural silicone project must be tested for compatibility by the silicone manufacturer before installation. Saint-Gobain will provide complete technical information and materials for testing upon request. Laboratory facilities and Application Engineering representatives are available to assist customers, call toll-free (800) 724-0883.