When a sealant peels away from the surface as it dries, what type of failure is this an example of?

When a sealant peels away from the surface as it dries, this is referred to as adhesive failure. Adhesive failure occurs when there is a lack of adhesion between the sealant and the substrate, which means the sealant fails to bond properly to the surface it was applied to. This can happen due to various reasons, including insufficient surface preparation, contamination, or the sealant not being compatible with the substrate material.

In this scenario, the sealant is still intact but has detached from the surface, illustrating a breakdown of the bond at the interface. This is distinct from other types of failure, such as cohesive failure, which involves the material itself breaking within its structure, or substrate failure, where the actual material to which the sealant is adhered suffers damage. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for troubleshooting and ensuring effective sealant application in firestop systems.