NGA and IGMA release joint guidelines on use of PIB Primary Sealant

The National Glass Association (NGA), with the Insulating Glass Manufacturer’s Alliance (IGMA), announced the publication of a new jointly-produced resource for the glazing and glass products industry.

The guidelines, developed by members representing both organizations, discuss the function of Polyisobutylene (PIB) Primary Sealant in insulating glass units (IGUs) with specific focus on the performance and aesthetic attributes of PIB.

“This important joint industry Technical Bulletin provides details, photographs and guidelines that will be beneficial to building owners, architects, consultants, glazing contractors and IGU fabricators for understanding the difference, as well as establishing acceptable limits, for PIB squeeze out and PIB migration,” explained Urmilla Sowell, NGA advocacy & technical director.

The guidelines provide a thorough list of terminology applicable to the application of PIB and the use of sealant in IGUs; as well as, design considerations and illustrative definitions of specific situations (i.e. bubbles in the sealant) and their potential root causes.

“PIB is one of the most commonly used primary sealants especially in commercial fabrications. This is the first of three documents that will be published on understanding PIB and a “go to” document for anyone who wants to understand how PIB should function, what is the difference between PIB squeeze out and migration and how it performs.,” according to IGMA executive director Margaret Webb.

The PIB Primary Sealant guideline is the third resource produced by the two organizations. Previously-released bulletins include Guidelines for Use of Capillary Tubes and Unsupported Edge Conditions of IGUs.