I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was 
sanitary/antifungal.

Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not 
sure what that means.

This far I have used it to fill the gap between the bath and wall, should I 
use it to finish off and do a bead or should I get some bathroom stuff?

In message , R D S 
 writes
>I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was
>sanitary/antifungal.
>
>Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not
>sure what that means.
>
I find this very worrying

As an optician, I would have thought that you would have ay least had a 
basic knowledge (e.g. A level) of physics

or failing that, been able to type it into google

e.g.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young's_modulus

-- 
geoff

"geoff"  wrote in message 
news:qs8RfveEdpZIFwkr@ntlworld.com...
> In message , R D S  
> writes
>>I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was
>>sanitary/antifungal.
>>
>>Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not
>>sure what that means.
>>
> I find this very worrying
>
> As an optician, I would have thought that you would have ay least had a 
> basic knowledge (e.g. A level) of physics

I am a lowly dispensing optician, we don't need A levels*, but don't worry 
about me I manage to get through a day of spec making OK, but do find myself 
stumped every few years or so when I come to seal my bath.
If only there was a friendly DIY group I could ask in, one where people 
without their heads up their arses could be of help.

*That said I was among a few in my school to get an A at GCSE in physics 
(back when they were difficult and before A*'s were invented). That was 
about 20 years ago though.

> or failing that, been able to type it into google

I have looked using google, and wading through the vast sea of ads for 
silicone I read that modulus refers to rigidity and low modulus is rather 
flexible. This sounds good to me. But then I read that low modulus silicone 
isn't the best for use in high humidity areas.

Plus, if everyone went to google you would lose the chance to be the group's 
condescending tit.

In message , R D S 
 writes
>"geoff"  wrote in message
>news:qs8RfveEdpZIFwkr@ntlworld.com...
>> In message , R D S 
>> writes
>>>I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was
>>>sanitary/antifungal.
>>>
>>>Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not
>>>sure what that means.
>>>
>> I find this very worrying
>>
>> As an optician, I would have thought that you would have ay least had a
>> basic knowledge (e.g. A level) of physics
>
>I am a lowly dispensing optician, we don't need A levels*, but don't worry
>about me I manage to get through a day of spec making OK, but do find myself
>stumped every few years or so when I come to seal my bath.
>If only there was a friendly DIY group I could ask in, one where people
>without their heads up their arses could be of help.
>
>*That said I was among a few in my school to get an A at GCSE in physics
>(back when they were difficult and before A*'s were invented). That was
>about 20 years ago though.
>
>> or failing that, been able to type it into google
>
>I have looked using google, and wading through the vast sea of ads for
>silicone I read that modulus refers to rigidity and low modulus is rather
>flexible. This sounds good to me. But then I read that low modulus silicone
>isn't the best for use in high humidity areas.
>
>Plus, if everyone went to google you would lose the chance to be the group's
>condescending tit.
>
>

Stop moaning - I posted your answer for you



-- 
geoff

"geoff"  wrote in message 
news:1jCm8wh81pZIFwmt@ntlworld.com...>
> Stop moaning - I posted your answer for you

No you didn't. I am still unsure as to whether I would be better off with a 
different silicone for a bead around a bath.

Anyway as you say I would be better off sticking to google. I asked a simple 
question and all I have this far is your reply, which was at best 
irritating.

In message , R D S 
 writes
>"geoff"  wrote in message
>news:1jCm8wh81pZIFwmt@ntlworld.com...>
>> Stop moaning - I posted your answer for you
>
>No you didn't. I am still unsure as to whether I would be better off with a
>different silicone for a bead around a bath.
>
>Anyway as you say I would be better off sticking to google. I asked a simple
>question and all I have this far is your reply, which was at best
>irritating.
>
You could use acrylic bathroom filler or low modulus silicone, either 
will do the job, all you are doing is filling a gap. Make sure the 
surfaces are clean and dry and if you are actually sealing a bath to the 
wall, it's usual to fill the bath so that it and what it sits on are 
weighted and the silicone doesn't stretch and split every time you fill 
the bath


-- 
geoff

"geoff"  wrote in message 
news:qs8RfveEdpZIFwkr@ntlworld.com...
> In message , R D S  
> writes
>>I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was
>>sanitary/antifungal.
>>
>>Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not
>>sure what that means.
>>
> I find this very worrying
>
> As an optician, I would have thought that . . .

Oh, are you an optician too? That's a coincidence I understand the OP is 
also an optician.

In message , OG 
 writes
>
>"geoff"  wrote in message
>news:qs8RfveEdpZIFwkr@ntlworld.com...
>> In message , R D S 
>> writes
>>>I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was
>>>sanitary/antifungal.
>>>
>>>Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not
>>>sure what that means.
>>>
>> I find this very worrying
>>
>> As an optician, I would have thought that . . .
>
>Oh, are you an optician too? That's a coincidence I understand the OP is
>also an optician.
>
then there is a gap in your understanding


-- 
geoff

"geoff"  wrote in message 
news:9ULUhWrbUsZIFwU$@ntlworld.com...
> In message , OG 
>  writes
>>
>>"geoff"  wrote in message
>>news:qs8RfveEdpZIFwkr@ntlworld.com...
>>> In message , R D S 
>>> 
>>> writes
>>>>I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was
>>>>sanitary/antifungal.
>>>>
>>>>Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, 
>>>>not
>>>>sure what that means.
>>>>
>>> I find this very worrying
>>>
>>> As an optician, I would have thought that . . .
>>
>>Oh, are you an optician too? That's a coincidence I understand the OP is
>>also an optician.
>>
> then there is a gap in your understanding

I also wonder why you being an optician means the OP should have a knowledge 
of A level physics.

On 28 Jun, 20:55, geoff  wrote:

> or failing that, been able to type it into google
>
> e.g.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young's_modulus

Why do you think Young's modulus is important here, as opposed to
shear modulus or bulk modulus?

Ian

geoff wrote:
>>
> then there is a gap in your understanding
> 
> 

Funny - I thought the gap was around the bath...

Andy

"The Real Doctor"  wrote in message 
news:3501add3-8595-42e2-aaf5-8fa5a6f1998e@59g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> On 28 Jun, 20:55, geoff  wrote:
>
>> or failing that, been able to type it into google
>>
>> e.g.
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young's_modulus
>
> Why do you think Young's modulus is important here, as opposed to
> shear modulus or bulk modulus?

Jeezus.
I must have asked the question wrong.

Is this group full of scientists rather than people who regularly use 
silicone.

In message , Andy Champ 
 writes
>geoff wrote:
>>>
>> then there is a gap in your understanding
>>
>
>Funny - I thought the gap was around the bath...
>
There shouldn't be now - I told him how to do it


-- 
geoff

On Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:39:34 +0100, R D S wrote:

> I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was
> sanitary/antifungal.
> 
> Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus,
> not sure what that means.
> 
> This far I have used it to fill the gap between the bath and wall,
> should I use it to finish off and do a bead or should I get some
> bathroom stuff?

Then low modulus is more stretchy and is intended where they may be 
several mm of movement over the life of the seal. Ideally in a bathroom 
the bath should not be moving that much relative to the wall/tiles. 

You can use the low modulus stuff (it will be softer than santiary 
silicone). The sanitary silicone may be loaded with more biocides than 
the stuff you have.




-- 
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk 
Gas fitting FAQ  http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html

geoff wrote:
> In message , Andy
> Champ  writes
>> geoff wrote:
>>>>
>>> then there is a gap in your understanding
>>>
>>
>> Funny - I thought the gap was around the bath...
>>
> There shouldn't be now - I told him how to do it

Couldn't have done it without you.

R D S wrote:
> I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was 
> sanitary/antifungal.
> 
> Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not 
> sure what that means.
> 
> This far I have used it to fill the gap between the bath and wall, should I 
> use it to finish off and do a bead or should I get some bathroom stuff? 
> 
> 

I just happened to apply a new bead of silicon to the bath yesterday as the 
old one was a bit grotty in a few places and a new shower screen was also 
going up.

Use a high quality bathroom silicone sealant.  Do not use an acrylic sealant 
these are crap for this purpose.

A low modulus means that the sealant will be slightly elastic.  It will be 
able to stretch a little to accommodate movement when in use.

The standard approach for sealing around a bath is to fill the bath with 
water to  2/3 - 3/4 of the level you would normally use.  If there is any 
movement in the bath when filled with water, this would roughly put it at 
about half of the full displacement. Leave the water in the bath for 24 
hours while the silicone sets.

Push the sealant into the gap rather than dragging it along behind the 
sealant gun. There are various tools for smoothing out the sealant that can 
be a big help in getting a good finish. Alternatively you can also produce a 
decent finish with careful use of your thumb and a bit of practice, but make 
sure you wear some decent nitrile or similar gloves that are a good fit. 
Whatever you use, clean it regularly and dip in water before use.

cheers

David

In message , R D S 
 writes
>geoff wrote:
>> In message , Andy
>> Champ  writes
>>> geoff wrote:
>>>>>
>>>> then there is a gap in your understanding
>>>>
>>>
>>> Funny - I thought the gap was around the bath...
>>>
>> There shouldn't be now - I told him how to do it
>
>Couldn't have done it without you.
>
So, there you go ...

-- 
geoff

R D S wrote:

> Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not 
> sure what that means.

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Silicone_Sealant#High_or_Low_Modulus.3F

-- 
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
|          Internode Ltd -  http://www.internode.co.uk            |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
|        John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk              |
\=================================================================/

"R D S"  wrote in message 
news:6cnic0F3hdblvU1@mid.individual.net...
>I bought some silicone to seal a bath, chose it because it was 
>sanitary/antifungal.
>
> Looking on the side of the tub it mentions windows, it is low modulus, not 
> sure what that means.
>
> This far I have used it to fill the gap between the bath and wall, should 
> I use it to finish off and do a bead or should I get some bathroom stuff?

Some years back I wrote a FAQ piece about such things.... not sure if it got 
added to DIY   FAQ but it is on UK SelfBuild..

Take a look at Mastioc & Sealants  on 
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/UK_Selfbuild/files/Download%20Folder/


In simple terms modulus is opposite of stiffness ...