Submerseal

• Watertight, Tensionless, Arched Silicone Bellows
• Resists Hydrostatic Head Pressure
• Resistant To Saline Water
• Resistant To Chlorinated Water (Up To 5 Ppm)
• Resistant To Certain Effluent Concentrations (Contact Emseal)
• Nsf/Ansi 61 Compliant
• Non-Invasive Anchoring
• Joint-Face Adhered
• Bellows Never Under Tension During Joint Movement

• Swimming Pools
• Fountains
• Water Parks
• Water Features
• Water Tanks
• Cooling Tower Basins
• Waste Water Treatment Plants (Wwtp), Etc.

• In 1/4" (6mm) increments from 1/2" to 4" (12mm to 100mm).

• +25% and -25% (Total 50%) of nominal material size.

• Standard color is "white".
• Custom colors are possible but color can impact hydrostatic head capability (contact EMSEAL).

Product Description
Water resistant, joint-face-adhered, pre-compressed, primary seal for retrofit and new structural expansion joints and construction joints where continuous or intermittent immersion or contact with chlorinated water, saline water, potable water, and certain effluent concentrations is planned.

Featuring an arched silicone-bellows sealing surface and backed by an integral, pressure-resisting impregnated foam backing, Submerseal provides a lasting solution to joint sealing applications where constant exposure to water is expected.

The system is comprised of pre-compressed, silicone-and-impregnated-foam hybrid installed into field-applied epoxy adhesive on the joint faces with the silicone bellows locked to the joint faces with a field-applied silicone sealant band and corner bead.

Submerseal features EMSEAL’s patented microsphere-modified acrylic impregnation infused into a cellular foam base material and is coated with a high-grade silicone coating that has been tested for durability under continuous immersion in chlorinated, saline, potable, and certain effluent concentrated water.

Features Explained

Head of Water: For submerged applications this product has been tested in a hydrostatic-head pressure simulator to continuously resist water pressure of various levels without leaking (request the test). Reference the table and/or consult EMSEAL for application-specific conditions.

Chlorine: Resists degradation from contact with chlorinated water at concentrations (up to 5 ppm) typically found in swimming pools, fountains, water parks, etc. including normal and intermittent maintenance "shock" concentrations.

Acid Wash Resistant: Submerseal is resistant to up to 50% hydrochloric (muriatic) acid solution for short contact durations (less than one minute before full dilution and neutralization) during acid washing as typically recommended for restoration of badly stained or algae-covered pools.

NSF 61 Compliant: Compliant to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 for contact with potable drinking water and with FDA Regulation CFR 177.2600 for indirect contact with food.

Non-Invasive Anchoring: There are no hard metal-to-substrate connections with Submerseal. This includes embedded pins, anchors, screws, bolts or tracks, trays or rails. The system is locked to the joint faces by means of the 1) backpressure of the foam; 2) the epoxy adhesive, and 3) the field-injected silicone sealant band and corner bead at the joint face to foam-and-silicone bellows interface.

Wastewater: Effluent concentration should be discussed with EMSEAL.

Applicable Standards

• The silicone coating is compliant to NSF/ANSI Standard 61; NSF Standard 51; FDA Regulation CFR 177.2600; MIL-A-46146

• Substrates must be solid, parallel, plumb and free of any contaminants.
• Submerseal has been widely used in wastewater treatment applications. However, effluent concentration should be discussed with EMSEAL. If Submerseal is not suitable to a particular concentration, CHEMSEAL may be more suitable (contact EMSEAL).
• IMPORTANT--Cure Time After Installation: Submerseal cannot resist hydrostatic pressures or chemical concentrations stated unless a minimum of seven days is allowed for the injected silicone sealant bands and corner beads to fully cure. Cure time can vary based on environmental conditions. It is the responsibility of the installer to monitor cure.

• Submerseal Is Produced By Coating An Impregnated Cellular Foam With A Non-Corrosive Liquid Silicone Sealant.
• The External Silicone Facing Is Factory Applied To The Foam At A Width Greater Than The Maximum Offered Extension And Is Cured Before Final Compression.
• The Silicone Application And Curing Takes Place In A Factory-Controlled Environment. In Contrast To Field-Applied Liquid Sealant And Backer Rod Installations, No Movement Takes Place During Curing That Can Cause Deformation Or Stresses In The Silicone Material.
• When Compressed, A Convex Bellows Is Created In The Coating. As Joint Movement Occurs The Bellows Simply Folds And Unfolds Virtually Free Of Tensile Stress In The Silicone Material.
• The Foam Provides A Resilient Backing To The Silicone Coating, Making The System Capable Of Resisting Head Pressure.
• Submerseal Is Supplied In 6.56 Lf (2M) Shrink-Wrapped Lengths (Sticks). Submerseal Is Precompressed To Less Than The Joint Size For Easy Insertion. After Removal From The Shrink-Wrap And Hard Board Restraining Packaging, It Expands Gradually.

• Store Indoors At Room Temperature. Expansion Is Quicker When Warm, Slower When Cold. Substrate Temperature Must Range Between 40°F (5°C) And 110°F (43°C).
• Precautions: Wear Chemical-Resistant Gloves And/Or Barrier Hand Cream When Handling Liquid Sealant Or Epoxy. Remove Materials Promptly From Skin With A Commercial Hand Cleaner Before Eating Or Smoking. Avoid Inhaling Vapors.
• Sequencing: Install Factory-Fabricated Transition And/Or Termination Pieces First. Connect Straight Run Material To In-Place Terminations And Transitions. Cut Closing Pieces 3/8-Inch (10Mm) Longer Than The Opening To Be Joined. Compress Material Longitudinally To Fit.
• Ensure Nominal Material Size Matches Field Measured Joint Size.
• Mix Epoxy And Trowel A Thin Layer Onto The Joint Faces To At Least The Depth Of The Submerseal Foam.
• Remove Shrink-Wrap Packaging And Hardboard.
• Thoroughly Wipe And Clean The Silicone Facing Using Clean Lint-Free Rag Made Damp With Water.
• Insert Material Into Joint To Determined Depth Below The Substrate Surface.
• On The End Of The Material Apply A Band Of Liquid Silicone Along The Pre Cured Bellows’ Faces.
• Join Lengths By Pushing Silicone-Coated Ends Firmly Together. Always Push, Never Pull While Installing This Material. If You Stretch The Product It Will Shrink Back From The Joins Resulting In Leaks.
• Before The Epoxy Or The Silicone Cures, Force The Nozzle Of The Caulking Tube Between The Foam And The Substrate And Inject A Minimum 3/4" (20Mm)Deep Silicone Sealant Band, Measured From The Crown Of The Bellows. Firmly Tool The Overflow Sealant Into A Defined Corner Bead Between The Top Of The Silicone Bellows And The Substrate.
• Clean Up: Remove Epoxy Or Silicone Sealant From Equipment Before It Cures Using Acetone Or Other Solvents*. These Solvents Are Not Effective After The Epoxy Or Silicone Has Cured. Cured Material May Be Removed By Cutting It Away With Sharp Tools Or Sandpapering.

(Solvents mentioned or referred to may be toxic and flammable. Observe solvent manufacturer’s precautions and refer to Material Safety Data Sheets as well as local and federal requirements for safe handling and use)

IMPORTANT: Allow liquid silicone to attain a complete cure before filling area with liquid (7 days minimum). Note: if the silicone at joins, sealant bands and corner beads is not allowed to fully cure, the system will not be capable of resisting hydrostatic pressure.


• Maintenance: If the silicone bellows or sealant bands are damaged but remain intact, cut out the damaged area and recaulk. No primer is required. If the bond has been affected or the foam backing of the Submerseal is compromised, remove the damaged area, clean and prepare the substrates in accordance with instructions and reinstall new material.

• Submerseal is available for shipment internationally.
• Prices are available from local representatives and/or directly from the manufacturer.
• The product range is continually being updated, and accordingly EMSEAL reserves the right to modify or withdraw any product without prior notice.