Preinstalled sealant for prefab components

A method of joining and sealing two prefabricated building components, the method comprising:

• providing a first component having a first surface;
• providing a second component having a second surface that is mateable with the first surface, the first and second surfaces defining a joint;
• disposing a sealant composition on one of the first surface or the second surface, the sealant composition comprising:
• a first component including a curing agent and a polymer matrix, the curing agent including one or more of diamine-type curing agents and diol-type curing agents;
• and
• a second component that includes a microcapsule having a resin encapsulated inside a shell, the resin including one or more of epoxy-based resins, acrylic-based resins, aliphatic isocyanate-based resins, and aromatic isocyanate-based resins, and the microcapsule being dispersed in the first component;
• wherein breaking of the microcapsule shell by an applied force allows the curing agent to react with the resin to cure the sealant composition;
• and
• joining the first component with the second component by mating the first surface with the second surface, whereby a force is applied to the sealant composition, causing the microcapsules to rupture such that the resin mixes with the curing agent and the sealant composition cures to seal the joint between the first component and the second component.

A joint sealing system for prefabricated building components comprising:

• a first component including a first surface;
• a second component including a second surface that is mateable with the first surface, said first and second surfaces defining a joint;
• and
• a sealant composition disposed on one of the first surface or the second surface, the sealant composition comprising:
• a first component including a curing agent and a polymer matrix, the polymer matrix being a healable polymer that is a copolymer including an acrylate monomer unit having a low glass transition temperature (Tg) and a methacrylate monomer unit having a high glass transition temperature (Tg);
• and
• a second component that includes a microcapsule having a resin encapsulated inside a shell, the microcapsule being dispersed in the first component;
• wherein breaking of the microcapsule shell by an applied force allows the curing agent to react with the resin to cure the sealant composition;
• wherein pressure exerted when the second surface is mated with the first surface triggers curing of the sealant composition to join the first and second components and to seal the joint between the first and second components.