Silicone bond

[speedstar]

In a DIY glass tank is it true that the seem strength is only at the contact point and any of the other slopped on silicone can be cut away? Assuning joints are all bubble free.

[The Rugger]

I have worked with acrylic, but never ventured into glass myself. I am eager to hear what folks have to say.

[Mike]

I am interested also.

[ReeferRob]

Bump.....

I would think that the slopped on stuff assists in the sheer strength of the silicone. Silicone is resistant to tearing, resists compression (not a requirement for aquariums).

[jojo22]

I have no proof nor data to back this up, but my thought is, the extra material in the corners would help to add to the strength of the seam. Why?? Because it expands the contact area out that fraction of an inch on each pane of glass, thus giving the material more area to bond to and making the seam stronger.

As I said I have no proof and anyone is welcome to post data to prove I am wrong, but that is the way I would look at it barring any proof otherwise.

[speedstar]

I have just received some glass that will be sacrificed to find out he answer to this. Hopefully my test jig will have enough surface area to not break the glass prior to the seems letting loose.

I am build 2 identical glass tanks 12X12X16 HWL

I will then be using a expansion jack with a pressure gauge and measuring the point at which the tanks let loose. I plan to do this next week while on vacation.

[speedstar]

This will be using 1/4 glass, common sense would say the reading would be even closer if it was 1/2 do to more contact at just the meeting point, but we will see. Perhaps i'll do 1/2 also if I can find enough scrap.

[jojo22]

Now the good question, will the extra material be removed while wet or with a razor after it is dry, I can see pro's and cons to each way.

[speedstar]

I was planning razor after dry, I don't plan on spreading or flattening the bead on the tank it will be cut from. This usually just leave a bit bubbled out ward, because I only want to make one cut as to not get into the real seam.

[ReeferRob]

Speed- curiosity is what killed the cat.

Im sure youll be safe, but double think the safety before starting this project.

I also think that there are WAY to many variable to truely give the answer your looking for.

You know one of the best parts of making a sand castle? Destroying it at the end!!

Where to you live maybe I can come watch or play in the destruction...........awe no evil smilies in edit mode.

[speedstar]

I'm in Grand Rapids.

[tazzy695]

I can see one big bennifit of having the silicone in the corners helps if the seam opens up a tiny bit it wont leak as quickly where as if you dont have the extra and the seam opens up even a pin hole amount then you have a leak

[locoyo386]

Hi there, I am going to have ot say that it helps to hold the tank together. It helps by providing strength via resisting shear. The thicker the silicone the stronger it will be, but to much does not look good nor it is required. If you where to apply a thin layer sort of like an thin L shape it will not hold as much load nor will it hold it for a long time. Think of it as ripping it appart, the thiner it is the easier it is to rip, thus the thicker it is the harded it is to rip it.

[locoyo386]

Bump.....

I would think that the slopped on stuff assists in the sheer strength of the silicone. Silicone is resistant to tearing, resists compression (not a requirement for aquariums).

Hi there, you are correct in that it resists in tearing (shearing), but it does not resist in compression as it will get squashed really easy. You would not be able to resist compression with silicone, or it would not be recomended to do so.

[jojo22]

Compression is not the issue being questioned. The question is does the little bit in the corners help to hold the tank together, which would be more of a question as to how well the silicon can resist the expansion caused by the pressure of the water in the tank on the seam.

[speedstar]

Quick update since i saw this thread was bumped. The tanks are built currently waiting for silicone to cure 100%. Most likely the tests will take place on saturday.

[tazzy695]

sweet cant wait to see the results

[locoyo386]

Any results?

[Tom@HaslettMI]

An interesting question. I would guess that the "extra" silicone is somehow beneficial and that aquarium manufacturer(s) have already looked into this. If it wasn't necessary tanks would require less silicone (be cheaper to produce) and look better (therefore they could charge more). But who knows... I'm looking forward to seeing some results.

[speedstar]

An interesting question. I would guess that the "extra" silicone is somehow beneficial and that aquarium manufacturer(s) have already looked into this. If it wasn't necessary tanks would require less silicone (be cheaper to produce) and look better (therefore they could charge more). But who knows... I'm looking forward to seeing some results.

Or it could be looked at as the time needed cutting out the extra silicone instead of it being slopped in would cost more in labor.

While it appeared to be fully cured it still had a wet smell to it, stress test will be saturday AM when i get up. I have no time sooner to do this.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Or it could be looked at as the time needed cutting out the extra silicone instead of it being slopped in would cost more in labor.

Good point. I always assumed they taped off the glass to seal them, but I know nothing about mass production of aquariums.

Thanks for breaking some glass!

[locoyo386]

well any results?

[locoyo386]

I guess not, too bad cause I was really interested to know the outcome.