No construction site can do without mounting foam. This amazing material adheres to various surfaces, and also has good sound and heat insulation, the ability to seal hard-to-reach places. How much does mounting foam dry ? Before you find out the answer, you need to familiarize yourself with its composition and main types.
Composition
Polyurethane-based one-component sealant is called polyurethane foam. It is in great demand, because without it it is impossible to complete the installation of doors, windows, as well as various repair processes. It is very convenient to work with the material, since no mechanisms or energy sources are needed. No matter which foam (Macroflex, Titanium, etc.) is used, it penetrates all cavities and completely hardens after a few hours.
It is supplied in cylinders in the form of a liquid prepolymer and a propellant. After the release of the contents, the polymerization reaction begins , the start of which is responsible for moisture in the air and on the treated surface.
Specifications
Before you find out how much the mounting foam dries, you need to familiarize yourself with its amazing characteristics.
- The primary expansion is an increase in foam volume immediately after application. This property allows the material to occupy the entire space and serve as a reliable fixer.
- Secondary expansion is a negative characteristic, since subsequent changes in volume (either increase or decrease) are characteristic of foam. This can happen if it is used improperly (with increased temperature conditions, uncleaned base, mechanical stresses).
- Hardening rate. How much does mounting foam dry? It takes 20 minutes to dry the surface layer, and 24 hours to fully set. Excess material can be cut off after 4 hours.
- Adhesion - the degree of adhesion of the foam to various surfaces. It “sticks” well to wooden, concrete, metal, plastic, stone and glass structures. However, the mass does not adhere well to silicone, polyethylene, etc.
- Resistance to serious temperature differences. For example, Macroflex foam can withstand from -55 to +90 degrees. As for the effects of fire, it is resistant to it and does not support combustion.
- Interaction with ultraviolet. The base of the foam can withstand the effects of chemicals, but when exposed to sunlight, it darkens and collapses. The problem is solved by applying a protective layer in the form of paint or primer.
Varieties
Depending on the method of application, the foam can be professional and household. According to the temperature of use, it is divided into summer, winter and all-weather. The professional composition is different in that it is applied with a gun (there are special valves on the cylinder). Why is it called professional? Because the gun is much more expensive than foam (every 10 times), and there is no point in purchasing it for single use (used only by professionals).
Polyurethane foam (characteristics are presented above) for domestic use is used without any devices. To spray it, you need a special tube, which is present on each cylinder.
Summer foam can be applied on surfaces whose temperature is +50 ... + 350 degrees. The working temperature of the winter material is from -180 to +350 degrees. Moreover, its volume after application and expansion decreases with a decrease in temperature. All-weather foam has the best qualities of summer and winter options. It allows you to work at low temperatures with a larger output and quick hardening.
How is assembly foam used and how long does it take?
It is considered an amazing insulating material, which was created specifically for:
- filling cracks in rooms without heating, roofing;
- filling gaps around various pipes, doors and windows;
- fixing doors and windows without additional fasteners;
- attaching heat-insulating materials to the walls;
- sound insulation of pipes, air conditioners, hoods, etc .;
- widespread use in the repair of premises;
- filling gaps in boats, rafts, etc.
In order for the material to perform its functions well and serve as long as possible, it is necessary:
- to close up seams and cracks up to 80 mm wide (large gaps are first filled with boards, bricks);
- sprinkle the surface with water for better adhesion (before and after application);
- shake the container before work and keep it upside down;
- fill the gap incompletely (by 1/2 or 2/3), thereby reducing the consumption of mounting foam;
- cut off excess after polymerization (time of complete solidification - 24 hours);
- protect the surface from the sun with any paint;
- use only high-quality products of a well-known brand.
Consumption
Cylinders with a composition of 750 ml usually have a yield of 50 liters. But this does not mean that they can fill a fifty-liter capacity. Foam is considered unstable due to the large number of bubbles. Under its own weight, the lower layers burst in it, as a result of which the volume decreases. In this regard, a fifty-liter output is considered a conditional norm, which is true when filling gaps with a width of not more than 20 mm.
Each cylinder is filled with polyurethane in a solvent and a liquefied filling gas, which after a reaction with open air occupies a space of 50 liters. You should be aware that volume reduction can occur if the material is used at low temperatures. As a result, the foam consumption indicated on the label corresponds to reality only under ideal conditions.
How to choose
Before choosing a material, you need to determine the conditions in which the work will be performed. It is also important why it will be used: for sealing, soundproofing, insulation or installation. When buying, you should pay attention to who made the mounting foam. Customer reviews recommend paying attention to the brands Titan, Soudal, Penosil, Makroflex.
As for the designs, for example, any foam is suitable for plastic windows, but you will have to decide on the characteristics. It is best to apply the material with a gun, but for a single use, you can stop on a plastic tube. If you have to process large spaces, it is worth choosing professional compositions in massive cylinders.