What types of duct sealants are available for air conditioning systems and how to choose them

For air conditioning duct systems or air duct work, sealant must be applied at flange joints and duct seams to prevent air leakage. There are two types of air conditioning system sealants: acrylic sealant and silicone sealant

Acrylic sealant can be used to seal leaks, duct seams, and flange joints to prevent air leakage. It is suitable for indoor duct installations, including cold air ducts and ventilation ducts. It can be painted over but is not suitable for outdoor applications as it is not resistant to UV radiation and sunlight

Silicone sealant is used to seal duct joints to prevent air leakage and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It is suitable for all types of ducts, including metal ducts and chemical ducts, as silicone is resistant to chemicals, moisture, heat, sunlight, and UV radiation. However, it cannot be painted over

For indoor ducts, use acrylic sealant as it is more cost-effective. For outdoor ducts and chemical ducts, use silicone sealant as it has more suitable properties