Despite the importance of a backer rod in caulking applications, many are still asking if there is a need for this backing material in sealant applications. By their very nature, shouldn’t it be that sealants are not enough to do their job without the rod? Not all the time. Every time the rod is utilized as a backing material in joints or cracks to control the amount and depth of the sealant in the joint or gap, it serves two major roles.
Firstly, the primary function of a backer rod is to act as a bond breaker which means it enables the sealant to stick or bond to the walls of the joint and not to its bottom. This makes the sealant contract and expand without compromising its bond from the sides and thus, it remains intact. Secondly, the rod also helps in filling in the gap to be sealed between the surfaces, which saves on the amount of sealant to be used. Apart from it, the rod is also capable of creating depth that is sufficient enough to create the effective bond.
Backer Rod Profile
Typically, a backer rod is a round and very flexible foam material that comes in various sizes or diameters to fit any joint needed to be sealed. In addition to size, another crucial consideration when selecting rods is the variety in cell structures of the foam. It is available in open-cell, closed-cell, and bi-cellular. The differences among them makes a huge effect on the applicability and function that the rods serve.
There are specific applications that need closed-cell rods to prevent moisture from seeping in while others require open-cell backing support for flexibility and even fill. Regardless of your application, we offer the most extensive collection of backup materials and the largest range of sizes on the market. Our rods are made from polyethylene or polyurethane foam, making them compatible with the popular industry joint sealants or caulking.
Firstly, the primary function of a backer rod is to act as a bond breaker which means it enables the sealant to stick or bond to the walls of the joint and not to its bottom. This makes the sealant contract and expand without compromising its bond from the sides and thus, it remains intact. Secondly, the rod also helps in filling in the gap to be sealed between the surfaces, which saves on the amount of sealant to be used. Apart from it, the rod is also capable of creating depth that is sufficient enough to create the effective bond.
Backer Rod Profile
Typically, a backer rod is a round and very flexible foam material that comes in various sizes or diameters to fit any joint needed to be sealed. In addition to size, another crucial consideration when selecting rods is the variety in cell structures of the foam. It is available in open-cell, closed-cell, and bi-cellular. The differences among them makes a huge effect on the applicability and function that the rods serve.
There are specific applications that need closed-cell rods to prevent moisture from seeping in while others require open-cell backing support for flexibility and even fill. Regardless of your application, we offer the most extensive collection of backup materials and the largest range of sizes on the market. Our rods are made from polyethylene or polyurethane foam, making them compatible with the popular industry joint sealants or caulking.
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