How long does the mounting foam dries? Specifications and instructions for the use of mounting foam

No construction can not do without mounting foam. This amazing material adheres to different surfaces, and also has good sound and heat insulation, the ability to seal hard-to-reach places. How long does the mounting foam dries ? Before you know the answer, you need to familiarize yourself with its composition and main types.

Composition

Mounting foam is called a one-component sealant based on polyurethane. It is in great demand, because without it it is impossible to perform the installation of doors, windows, and various repair processes. Working with the material is very convenient, since no mechanisms or energy sources are needed. It does not matter which foam ("Macroflex", "Titan", etc.) is used - it penetrates into all the cavities and after a few hours completely hardens.

It is supplied in cylinders in the form of liquid prepolymer and propellant gas. After the release of the content, a polymerization reaction starts , which is triggered by moisture in the air and on the surface to be treated.

Specifications

Before you find out how much the mounting foam dries, you need to familiarize yourself with its amazing characteristics.

1. Primary expansion - increasing the volume of foam immediately after application. This property allows the material to occupy the whole space and serve as a reliable retainer.
2. Secondary expansion is a negative characteristic, since it is inherent in the subsequent change in volume (either increase or decrease). This can occur if its application is incorrect (with increased temperature regime, unpurified base, mechanical influences).
3. Curing speed. How long does the mounting foam dries? Drying of the surface layer requires 20 minutes, and for complete setting - 24 hours. Surplus material can be cut off after 4 hours.
4. Adhesion - the degree of adhesion of foam with different surfaces. It "sticks" well to wooden, concrete, metal, plastic, stone and glass structures. However, the mass does not adhere well to silicone, polyethylene, etc.
5. Resistance to severe temperature changes. For example, the foam "Macroflex" is able to withstand from -55 to +90 degrees. As for the effect of fire, it is resistant to it and does not support combustion.
6. Interaction with ultraviolet. The basis of the foam is well tolerated by the effects of chemicals, but when it gets into the sun, it gets dark and collapses. The problem is solved by applying a protective layer in the form of a paint or primer.

Varieties

Depending on the method of application foam can be professional and household. According to the temperature of use it is divided into summer, winter and all-season. Professional composition is different in that it is applied with a gun (on the cylinder there are special valves). Why is it called professional? Because the gun is much more expensive than the foam (every 10), and it makes no sense to purchase it for one-time use (used only by professionals).

Foam mounting (characteristics presented above) for household use is used without any devices. To spray it will need a special tube, which is present on each cylinder.

Summer foam can be applied on surfaces, the temperature of which is +50 ... + 350 degrees. The working temperature of the winter material is from -180 to +350 degrees. In this case, its volume after application and expansion decreases with a decrease in the temperature regime. All-season foam has the best qualities of summer and winter options. It allows you to work at low temperatures with a larger yield and faster solidification.

How is the foam used for drying?

It is considered an amazing insulation 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 insulation materials to the walls;
• Sound insulation of pipes, air conditioners, hoods, etc .;
• Wide use in the repair of premises;
• Filling of cracks in boats, rafts, etc.

In order for the material to perform its functions well and serve as long as possible, it is necessary:

• Seal seams and slots up to 80 mm wide (large gaps first filled with boards, brick);
• Sprinkle the surface with water for better adhesion (before and after application);
• Shake the can before work and keep it upside down;
• Fill the gap not completely (by 1/2 or 2/3), thereby reducing the consumption of mounting foam;
• Cut excess after polymerization (time of full hardening - 24 hours);
• Protect the surface from the sun with any paint;
• Use only high-quality products of the famous 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-ton capacity. Foam is considered unstable due to the large number of bubbles. Under its own weight, the lower layers burst into it, as a result of which the volume decreases. In this regard, a fifty-liter output is considered a conventional norm, which is true when filling gaps with a width of no more than 20 mm.

Each cylinder is filled with polyurethane in a solvent and a liquefied gas-filler, which after a reaction with open air occupies space of 50 liters. It should be noted that volume reduction can occur if the material is used at low temperatures. As a result, the consumption of the mounting foam 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 for what it will be used: for sealing, soundproofing, insulation or installation. At purchase it is necessary to pay attention to who was made foam assembly. Buyers' comments recommend paying attention to the brands Titan, Soudal, Penosil, Makroflex.

As for the constructions, for example, for any plastic windows any foam, but with the characteristics will have to be determined. It is best to apply the material with a gun, but for one-time use, you can stop on a plastic tube. If you have to process large spaces, it is worth choosing professional compounds in massive cylinders.