Manufacturer source check

Manufacturer TDS v2.0, 23 July 2024, hosted by Selleys New Zealand differs from the Australian webpage on skin time, cure rate, lower service temperature, painting and cleanup. Confirm the document applicable to the supplied Australian cartridge before relying on the disputed values.

What is Selleys 655 FC Fast Cure Adhesive Sealant, and where should you use it?

Selleys 655 FC is a fast-cure, high-strength adhesive sealant based on silane modified polymer technology, designed for a wide variety of construction and industrial applications. It is UV, weather and moisture resistant, gives excellent adhesion to metals, timbers and other porous materials, and is paintable once fully cured.

The reason to choose it is time. It provides immediate bonding with a strong, durable finish, and the fast cure formula suits time-sensitive jobs. It also complies with AS 2329-1999 construction adhesive standards, and can be used for both interior and exterior applications. Selleys lists it alongside 650 FC and 670 Fast Grab in the 600 Series.

Technical timings and source differences

The Australian retail page combines 20 minutes with ≥2.5 mm/day and separately says 24 hours to full strength. Selleys’ TDS v2.0 (23 July 2024), hosted on its New Zealand site, instead gives 45–55-minute skin time and about 3 mm/day at 23°C/50% RH. Neither skin time is full cure. Confirm the TDS matching the Australian cartridge; cure depends on joint depth and conditions.

The Australian retail page gives −40°C to +70°C; the manufacturer-hosted TDS v2.0 gives −20°C to +70°C. Both state application at 5–35°C. Confirm the appropriate lower service limit for the supplied formulation.

The Australian page says paint when fully cured. TDS v2.0 permits water-based paint after skinning, with longer waits in cold weather and a water-based coat before solvent-based paint. Confirm the matching Australian instructions and test paint compatibility.

VOC content and green building compliance

Selleys publishes a VOC Content Test Certificate for 655 FC. Tested in November 2022 by FORAY Laboratories (NATA Accreditation 1231) using ASTM D3960, the product returned 32 grams per litre VOC content per material, against a Green Building Council of Australia limit of 50 grams per litre for general purpose adhesives and sealants.

It meets the GBCA VOC content requirement for Green Star Design & As Built V1.3-13.1.1B and Green Star Interiors V1.3-12.1.1B. The certificate carries an issue date of 23 November 2022 and an expiry date of 23 November 2027 — check that date if you are assembling documentation for a Green Star submission.

Where to use it

• A wide variety of construction and industrial applications
• Bonding and sealing metals, timbers and other porous materials
• Interior and exterior applications
• Time-sensitive jobs where a fast cure matters

How to apply it

Prepare the surfaces and joint, apply the sealant and tool before the applicable skin time. Support bonded components until sufficiently cured; do not treat 24 hours as universal full strength. TDS v2.0 specifies mineral turps for uncured spills and tools, then mechanical removal after cure, while the retail page says a damp cloth. Confirm the matching label.

Limitations — where it should NOT be used

• Not suitable for polyethylene, polypropylene, Teflon or bitumen.
• Not recommended for underwater use, or for areas exposed to constant moisture before curing.
• Do not apply outside the stated application temperature range of 5°C to 35°C.

The moisture restriction is worth reading carefully, because it is specific about timing: the risk is exposure to constant moisture before the product has cured. A joint that will be wet in service is a different question from one that gets rained on the night it is applied — but neither is a case for an underwater application, which is ruled out outright.

Polyethylene, polypropylene and Teflon are low-surface-energy plastics that most adhesives will not grip. Bitumen is a different problem: its oils migrate into hybrid sealants over time and degrade them.

Hazard classification

The safety data sheet covering Selleys 655 FC Crystal Clear Sealant and Adhesive classifies it as hazardous under Safe Work Australia GHS 7, with the signal word Warning.

• Eye irritation — Category 2A. H319: causes serious eye irritation.
• Sensitisation — skin — Category 1. H317: may cause an allergic skin reaction.

It is not classified as Dangerous Goods for any transport mode — not under the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail or New Zealand NZS5433 on land, not under the IMDG Code by sea, and not under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations by air.

What is in it

Chemical entity	CAS number	Proportion (w/w)
Trimethoxyvinylsilane	2768-02-7	1–10%
Decanedioic acid, methyl 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl ester	82919-37-7	<1%
Decanedioic acid, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl) ester	41556-26-7	<1%

This is not the complete formulation — the documentation available here lists these three entities and does not set out the balance, so the table should be read as what is declared rather than as everything that is present. The two decanedioic acid esters are hindered amine light stabilisers, which is a sensible thing to find in a product this page describes as UV and weather resistant: they are what stop a clear sealant yellowing and chalking in sunlight. The trimethoxyvinylsilane at 1–10% is a crosslinker for the silane modified polymer, and reactive alkoxysilanes are the component class usually behind sensitisation and eye-irritation classifications in SMP sealants. The safety data sheet does not attribute the classifications to any named ingredient, so treat that as the obvious chemical reading rather than a sourced fact.

H317 concerns allergic skin reactions. Avoid wet-product contact and use the protective equipment required by the current SDS; use a tool for finishing.

H319 deserves attention because of how this product is applied. The page directs you to press surfaces together firmly after laying a bead — which squeezes excess out of the joint, sometimes further and faster than expected, and often at chest or head height on a cladding panel. The safety data sheet's own eye first aid is not a rinse under the tap: it is fifteen minutes of continuous flushing and transport to a doctor or hospital. Safety glasses are the proportionate precaution.

Protection

• Eye protection — safety glasses, especially when pressing components together or working above shoulder height.
• Gloves — nitrile rubber is suitable for intermittent contact.
• Ventilation — natural ventilation is adequate under normal use conditions. Ventilate in enclosed spaces.
• Overalls and safety shoes on site; wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking, and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

First aid

Exposure	What to do
Eyes	Hold the eyelids apart and flush the eyes continuously with running water. Continue until advised to stop by the Poisons Information Centre or a doctor, or for at least 15 minutes, and transport to a doctor or hospital.
Skin	Effects may be delayed. Remove contaminated clothing and flush skin and hair with running water. If swelling, redness, blistering or irritation occurs, seek medical assistance.
Inhalation	Remove the person from exposure without becoming a casualty yourself. Loosen tight clothing, keep them comfortable, warm and at rest until recovered. Seek medical advice if effects persist.
Swallowed	Rinse the mouth with water. Do NOT induce vomiting. Give a glass of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Seek medical advice.

If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre — 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand — with the container to hand. Selleys emergency line: 1800 220 770 in Australia, 0800 220 770 in New Zealand.

Common questions about Selleys 655 FC

How fast does it cure?

The Australian retail page combines 20 minutes with ≥2.5 mm/day and separately says 24 hours to full strength. Selleys’ TDS v2.0 (23 July 2024), hosted on its New Zealand site, instead gives 45–55-minute skin time and about 3 mm/day at 23°C/50% RH. Neither skin time is full cure. Confirm the TDS matching the Australian cartridge; cure depends on joint depth and conditions.

How long do I have to tool the bead?

TDS v2.0 gives about 25 minutes tooling time and 45–55 minutes skin time at 23°C/50% RH. These differ from the Australian webpage’s 20-minute entry. Confirm the matching cartridge instructions and finish before skinning.

Do I need to clamp or support the parts?

Press the surfaces together firmly and support as necessary until the adhesive has cured.

What will it stick to?

It provides excellent adhesion to metals, timbers and other porous materials.

What will it not stick to?

Polyethylene, polypropylene, Teflon and bitumen.

Can I paint over it?

The Australian page says paint when fully cured. TDS v2.0 permits water-based paint after skinning, with longer waits in cold weather and a water-based coat before solvent-based paint. Confirm the matching Australian instructions and test paint compatibility.

Can I use it outside?

Yes. It is UV, weather and moisture resistant and suitable for interior and exterior applications.

Can it be used underwater?

No. It is not recommended for underwater use, or for areas exposed to constant moisture before curing.

What temperature can I apply it at?

Between 5°C and 35°C.

What temperatures will the cured joint take?

The Australian retail page gives −40°C to +70°C; the manufacturer-hosted TDS v2.0 gives −20°C to +70°C. Both state application at 5–35°C. Confirm the appropriate lower service limit for the supplied formulation.

Does it meet green building requirements?

Its tested VOC content is 32 g/L against a GBCA limit of 50 g/L, and it meets the GBCA VOC content requirement for Green Star Design & As Built V1.3-13.1.1B and Green Star Interiors V1.3-12.1.1B.

Does it meet a construction adhesive standard?

It complies with AS 2329-1999 construction adhesive standards.

How do I clean up?

TDS v2.0 specifies mineral turps before cure and mechanical removal afterwards. The Australian page says a damp cloth; confirm the matching label and surface compatibility.