I am glad to welcome readers of my blog! At the beginning of this summer, I decided to remove the window slopes in the country house, remove the old foam and replace it with new one. As a result, I was convinced in practice that the choice and purchase of quality material is only half the battle. To reduce costs, you need to know how to use mounting foam. Before I clarified these points, a lot of the contents remained in the container, and work with it took place on the principle of how it will turn out. Do you want to use the maximum material and seal the joints with high quality? Then use my step by step instructions.
Throughout the use of polyurethane foam, manufacturers have improved its composition, obtaining universal or highly specialized mixtures in which certain properties are enhanced. Therefore, the modern construction market is replete with different types mounting sealants based on polyurethane, which are not so easy for a simple layman to figure out. Quality installation work or the quality of seam sealing depends on right choice type polyurethane foam.
The use of mounting foams is based on chemical reaction polymerization of macromolecules (prepolymers). An elementary polymerization reaction occurs during the reaction of polyesters and isocyanates, when the mixture solidifies (polymerizes) in 5 minutes. With an excess of one component, the polymerization reaction slows down and stops. Upon contact of the mixture with water, the reaction resumes, the polymer chains of the polyurethane lengthen until complete curing.
The classic one-component polyurethane foam is a mixture in one container of an excess of polyesters with isocyanates, as a result of the reaction between which macromolecules of prepolymers are formed. Under the action of injected aerosol gases, the prepolymers break out after opening the valve and react with atmospheric water molecules. As a result, the foamed prepolymers harden. At the same time, it highlights carbon dioxide, which forms the porous structure of the material.
Depending on the state of the components inside the can, there are two types assembly compositions based on ready-to-use polymers:
Professionals at work use large volumes mounting sealant, so canisters for a gun for professional work allow you to accurately dose the foam output to the work surface. In this they differ from conventional cans with a polyethylene tube for domestic use.
In addition to prepolymers and aerosol gases (propellants), there are additives inside the can that regulate the size of bubbles and their number, the ratio of opened and whole bubbles in the foam, the degree of adhesion to the surface, accelerators or retarders of the polymerization reaction. Their combinations dramatically affect the properties of the foam, among which the following are important:
The quality of the mounting foam is determined by the balance between the number of bubbles formed, their calibration, diameter and the ratio of open and closed cavities inside the structure formed after solidification.
Depending on the above qualities, mounting foams are divided according to their purpose:
Many species are considered moisture resistant due to the dense surface film that forms when dried. When sealing joints, surfaces in contact with water, the excess polyurethane that has come out is not cut off so as not to violate the integrity of the film.
The material has a number of useful qualities:
The main disadvantage of foams is sensitivity to ultraviolet, from which the polymer is destroyed. This requires protection in the external seams by painting or puttying.
This material received wide application in different areas of construction:
How to use the option in cylinders correctly To avoid common mistakes when performing installation work or sealing joints, professionals recommend following these recommendations:
Mounting foam has accelerated and simplified installation work in construction, which significantly increased labor productivity.
Mounting foam today is a popular building material, with the help of which a lot of obsolete products have been replaced. For example, tow, adhesive compositions, cement mortars.
It is divided into several types. Popular - high resolution. It is relevant in those works where maximum sealing is achieved. The gap, the hole, are filled with the composition of the cylinder. After a few seconds, it expands, filling the space and getting into hard-to-reach places.
A variant with a much lower expansion coefficient is also available. It is relevant in works when the gap that is filled is small, or there are connecting elements that are fragile and delicate with a possibility of damage, or where access is left.
This mounting foam is used for holes with a diameter of one to 10 centimeters. Due to the large number of works where polyurethane foam is used, manufacturers produce:
Depending on the type of work, one of the proposed options is purchased and applied. Expanding foam for easy installation window frames, doorways, when building partitions in the house. The average expansion coefficient is relevant for small holes, if you use the usual expanding one for them - the mounting foam will mostly come out of the hole without filling it.
In addition, the consumption increases. When there are a lot of holes, then the consumption of expanding foam, in comparison with that with average indicators, is 2-3 times more.
As such, polyurethane foam is made on two bases: acrylic and silicone.
Silicone has high adhesion, it is convenient to work with almost all existing building materials. Via silicone version you can easily work with materials that have a smooth surface - enamel, glass, ceramic products.
In addition, silicone mounting foam is durable and strong, it is not susceptible to deformation, mechanical or atmospheric influences.
Acrylic foam is based on resins. It does not contain any organic solvents, so this foam is easily diluted with water.
The relevance of its use is undeniable if deep cracks or seams are poured.
Such foam is distinguished by quick drying, although this is a minus - as the foam hardens, it will become less elastic than its silicone-based counterpart. In addition, the seams created with acrylic foam are rough, they are painted over, which silicone foam does not offer.
Acrylic foam tolerates sudden changes in temperature, more often used for indoor work.
When choosing a foam, it is determined what types of work to be done with it. Depending on this, one or another type is selected.
It differs in terms of expandability and ease of use. Simple Options imply a cylinder with a mechanism similar to that used on fresheners - the user applies foam by pressing a key and it comes out of a small tube that is a guide. This design is more common on cylinders containing material with a high degree of expansion.
The second option involves the use of a special "gun". A balloon is inserted into it, and the user can apply the agent to the surface or into the hole with great convenience.
If the upcoming front of work is small, the first option is suitable, if the scope of work involves the use of foam in large quantities, the second one will do.
Based on them choose suitable option for a specific case.
It is worth remembering that if you have to work with a small space, a mounting foam with the property of small expansion is suitable. If it is necessary to obtain tightness by filling holes of a large volume, then it makes sense to choose the one that gives 50-60% expansion from the original state.
Low expansion foam is not only used to fill holes with a small volume or small diameter. There are some tricks that are applicable for the professional and novice builder.
If there is only such foam, and a considerable volume is filled, then fill the gap or hole with small pieces of brick and finally blow it out with foam.
In addition, depending on the scope of work, purchase a special gun, along with which professional cylinders are used. They are larger and give better performance. It is much more convenient to work with a pistol.
In any case, choose the material that is suitable for solving the problem. Or should I buy both. With expanding blow out large spaces, and with the help of a low coefficient, finish the job by eliminating minor errors and filling small gaps and holes.
Appearance in modern construction industry windows of a new generation has opened up wide possibilities for the use of modern polyurethane-based sealant - polyurethane foam. It is designed to connect various structural elements to each other. Installation plastic windows now can't do without construction foam. Previously, the installation of windows was notable for the inconvenience and increased laboriousness of sealing due to the use of tow on cement mortar, which ignored numerous small inaccessible spaces. Mounting foam is able to fill them, thereby providing heat, sound insulation and sealing properties during installation. Filling voids and cracks in doors and window blocks, water pipes, roofing materials and others building structures, polyurethane foam creates not only tightness, sound insulation by filling voids, but also reliable fixation of elements.
Construction foam, as a rule, is stored in aerosol cans of various capacities, as it is a mixture of polyurethane substance and pressurized gas in a ratio of 3/1. In this proportion, the foam easily fills any voids, cracks, potholes.
The ability of the mounting foam to provide the structure with thermal insulation, tightness and resistance to various kinds of influences can be increased, provided that its feature is taken into account to collapse under the influence of direct sunlight.
The advantage of building foam is its relatively low cost. It is used with almost all building materials - concrete, wood, plastic, glass, brick. The exceptions are plastic, teflon, silicone, polyethylene. If, nevertheless, foam is applied to these materials, then their surface is pre-treated with acetone. Labor costs and time costs when working with polyurethane foam are insignificant due to its rapid polymerization.
Note! The disadvantages of mounting foam include its chemical base (ventilation of residential premises and the use of protective equipment - gloves, a respirator - when working with aerosol) are required), instability before ultraviolet rays and natural precipitation - rain, snow. Therefore, the gaps filled with mounting foam must be covered with paint, sealant or covered with a casing.
It is also worth noting that the cost of an air gun for a foam cylinder is much higher than the cost of the cylinder itself, but thanks to its repeated use, it will pay for itself in a short time.
Mounting foam is one- and two-component. When spraying a one-component foam, a chemical reaction occurs with the formation of polyurethane foam, capable of transforming into a solid consistency in an environment with 35% humidity, the volume of which increases by 250%. The ambient temperature should vary between +5-+35 degrees Celsius. Ideally, the air temperature should be 20 degrees, air humidity - 60-80%.
Note! There are types of specialized foam, which is used in winter conditions(at sub-zero temperatures), but under the main condition - sufficient humidity. Otherwise, the mounting foam will not harden.
Before understanding how to apply mounting foam, it is important to know the principle of its formation. In an aerosol can, mounting foam is contained in the form of polyurethane ingredients, which are placed in the center of the container. In its lower part are diisocyanates, in the upper part - gas. The main condition for the use of the contents of the container is the mixing of the components, therefore, before applying the mounting foam, the can should be thoroughly shaken. Under the influence of gas, the foam is forced out of the balloon, increases in volume due to the interaction of polyurethane and diisocyanates, and then absorbs moisture from the environment and hardens, forming a dense plastic.
Note! For hardening (polymerization) of the foam, at least 8 hours are required, for complete drying - 2 days. After drying, the foam gives some shrinkage of 5% or more (50% shrinkage gives household sealant). The smallest shrinkage (5%) allows foam applied with an air gun.
Depending on the scope of work, preference is given to either mounting foam with a tube in the cylinder valve (“amateur”), or its application using an air gun (“professional”). According to the chemical composition, such foams are no different from each other. For sealing small gaps, an “amateur” package with a tube is suitable, which becomes unusable a few hours after use due to the foam hardened in it. "Professional" packaging with a special thread on the valve to connect the gun is important in case of a large amount of "fine" work, where accurate, economical dosing in hard-to-reach places is required.
When applying foam, the following procedure should be followed:
After the foam has hardened, its excess is removed with a knife, the places of its application are protected from environmental influences with a layer of paint, sealant or putty, or covered with a casing.
How to work with pistol foam, see below:
If it becomes necessary to fill a hole, a seam or a gap, polyurethane foam is most often used. This material is used for rough finishing, installation of door frames, double-glazed windows, repair of balconies, construction of various buildings (for sealing).
There are several types of mounting foam - for different conditions and tasks.
The product is sold in bottles of different volumes (from 300 ml to 1 liter).
Approximate composition (may partially differ, depending on the manufacturer and type):
Technical characteristics of mounting foam:
These characteristics are indicated on the cylinder.
Mounting foam is used in construction at the following stages:
Its purpose is to seal holes, cavities, seams and joints between structural elements if their width exceeds 2-3 cm. Previously, cement and tow were used for such tasks, but this method is longer and more complicated.
The advantages of the application include the following nuances:
Of the main disadvantages - susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation. Under sunbeams the foam dries out over time, but it is usually used at the stage of rough finishing, and is not left in sight - either covered with plaster or covered with panels (plastic, for example).
All compositions can be divided into:
There are compositions:
In hardware stores, most products are single-component formulations. Two-component ones are usually used only for industrial purposes, with large volumes of work and, if necessary, to obtain the highest possible characteristics of the composition.
There are compositions:
Plastic nozzle tubes are sold as a set with low volume volumes. They can be used several times (if the work is carried out in several stages, if several cylinders are used), for which it is necessary to blow out the tube after application (so that the foam does not freeze inside).
Foam guns are sold separately. The minimum cost is about 300 rubles, the average is 500-800. The device is reusable, at the end of work it must be washed with a special cleaner (composition based on acetone solution). Even if the foam hardens inside the nozzle, it can be washed off with a cleaner or cleaned mechanically.
By temperature conditions there are such types of compositions:
The temperature of the surfaces to which the foam is applied is indicated, not the temperature of the air in the room. Therefore, when working in cold weather (for example, if a balcony is glazed in winter, or the seams are foamed in a building under construction without heating or without windows), it is necessary to heat not the room, but the surface.
Also, the surface temperature affects the volume of the mounting foam: the colder, the less ready solution will come out.
It is relevant if the work is carried out in a room with the possibility of fire (for example, in a bathhouse).
Product classes:
On the Russian market There are products from these manufacturers:
Foam is used, observing the following rules:
To not have to cut a large number of foam and redo the structure, please note:
Step by step, the foam is used like this:
Mounting foam - chemical composition in a pressurized container. Therefore, you need to work with it, observing the safety rules:
Mounting foam sets to the surface quickly, so if it gets somewhere other than the right gap, it will be hard to clean it off.
Ways to clean different surfaces:
In order to prevent such situations, in addition to the skin, it is necessary to protect the surfaces around. It is advisable to cover them with plastic wrap, rags or newspapers.
Polyurethane mounting foam is an excellent sealant and insulation. It is used both for the installation of such large-scale structures as doors and windows, and for the repair of minor defects. This material is used to patch various cracks and crevices, restore tightness at the joints, and even make other Construction Materials. Foamed polyurethane is quite easy to use, but you need to follow certain rules for working with it, be quite careful so that the seam is even and lasts a long time.
The hardened polyurethane foam is an elastic solid material of a yellowish-white color. This very light substance has excellent heat and noise insulation performance. It very quickly loses its properties under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, therefore it is mainly used indoors.
Such foam has a number of advantages that favorably distinguish it from other materials:
Almost all of the above properties must be indicated by the manufacturer in the relevant certificates, which can be requested from the seller.
The following information should be printed on the packaging itself:
Most often, all these characteristics depend on the type and purpose of the foam, so you need to know which polyurethane and what it should be used for.
All types of polyurethane insulation differ in several criteria.
Depending on the method of application and the form of release, they can be of two types.
Depending on what time of the year and at what temperature the polyurethane will expand and solidify, there are the following types mounting foam:
It should be noted that the temperature ranges are indicated not for air, but for the surface on which the composition will be applied. The lower its temperature, the less will be the expansion of the finished layer.
In addition, foam may vary in types depending on the flammability class:
Finally, mounting foams differ in composition. They can be one- or two-component. However, the latter type of foam is so difficult to handle that it is practically not used for private construction and do-it-yourself renovation of the premises. Two-component foam hardens in a quarter of an hour and there is practically no time left to eliminate defects, therefore only experienced professional builders use it.
Most often, mounting foam is used in the process of installing windows and doors, laying electrical wiring and pipelines. Due to the high thermal insulation in this way, it is possible to foam seams and recesses in cooling and heating systems, cracks in the roof and when insulating the surface of walls, floors or ceilings. She fits perfectly Wall panels and foam boards, providing excellent waterproofing. It is applied outside steel baths or cast iron baths to reduce the heat transfer of the metal when filling the bath hot water. With the help of polyurethane, you can insulate the space behind the sheathing of PVC panels. In almost half of the repair processes, it remains an indispensable material.
In order to avoid any problems both with small and with overhaul own house or apartments, you need to be able to use both professional and household mounting foam. To work correctly with the first, you must correctly install and use a special construction gun.
Gun installation includes the following steps:
Working with such equipment does not require specific skills, but will require considerable dexterity if this is the first time.
Applying foam from a gun is carried out as follows:
The barrel of the gun is quite long on its own, but in order to glue the materials in hard-to-reach places, for example, to fill the voids between the false wall, it is worth additionally purchasing an extension hose that is put on it.
Despite the fact that the packaging most often indicates a hardening time of up to 8 hours, in fact this process can take up to half a day. After complete solidification, the excess is cut off with a regular stationery knife or a metal saw.
Unlike a handy construction gun, household polyurethane foam is equipped with just a small PVC tube that fits onto an adapter. In principle, the sequence of work itself is practically the same, however, more efforts will have to be made to fill the gap of the same volume. Such a tube is convenient for small volumes of work, because with it it is impossible to release the solution in equal portions. In addition, the balloon has to be constantly kept upside down, which is why the arm is constantly numb, so it is difficult to maintain smooth movements. If such a tube and adapter were not sold complete with polyurethane insulation, then you will have to buy them separately.
You will learn more about how to use mounting foam from the video.
Most often, mounting foam is purchased in the right amount at a time and after use, even if it is unfinished, it is thrown away. And also it is not bought in advance, as it has a limited shelf life. It is worth considering in more detail the nuances described below in order to be able to save.
It is widely believed among buyers that professional foam with a gun can be reused, but household variety with a flexible tube, alas, it is disposable and it will not work to re-apply it to the surface. Indeed, most often, if you leave the cylinder on the gun and block the trigger with a dispenser, the gun will not allow air to enter the cylinder and the composition will not harden. At the next use, it will be enough to remove the remnants of the hardened foam from the nozzle and you can start working again. However, exactly the same can be achieved from household remedy. To do this, you need to start releasing the foam from the cylinder, but, without letting it go out, bend and pull the soft tube with a wire. The foam at its end will harden, but the fold will not allow air to penetrate further and spoil the entire volume of the substance. At the next use, the cured edge of the PVC tube is simply cut off and the foam is ready for use. The container can be stored in this form for no more than a few weeks.
Mounting foam is a difficult material. FAQ people who want to carry out construction work on their own - is it possible to use mounting foam if there is no gun. To do this, you need to know its properties and basic rules of application.
In contact with
First you need to determine which type will be used for repairs. In hardware stores you can see two types of foam:
In hardware stores you can see two types of foam.
How to choose the right composition? For processing a large area, the volume of the balloon should be taken into account. The quality of household composition is worse compared to professional brands. In this regard, for serious repairs, foam for professionals is required.
Here are the basic settings for how to use mounting foam with a tube:
If the gun is not at hand, this does not mean that the work will have to be postponed. You can use foam without a gun in the following ways:
If the gun is not at hand, this does not mean that the work will have to be postponed.
Foam is pretty easy to work with. The main thing is to follow the detailed instructions:
Before filling the gap, you need to make sure that the ambient temperature meets the recommendations in the instructions for the sealant. It is necessary to carry out work when the ambient temperature within 5-20 degrees of heat.
Before filling the gap, you need to make sure that the ambient temperature meets the recommendations in the instructions for the sealant.
Important! In heat over 30 degrees, work should be postponed, and in severe frost, you can use a special
When applying, you need to constantly adjust the pressure so that it is uniform and the contents of the balloon come out in equal parts. If it gets on any surface, the composition is poorly cleaned, there is a risk of damage to the coating. When applied to the desired areas, it must be given time to harden, only then cut off the excess. The composition contains toxic components, so the working space must be well ventilated.
Complete solidification of the composition occurs after 8 hours. No need to worry if swelling has formed at the processing site - they are easy to cut off with a clerical knife.
How to remove foam from the floor or walls, where it should not be? After hardening, this can be done with acetone. As a precaution, protect your eyes by wearing clear goggles. To protect your hands, gloves are suitable, because the composition excellent grip on the skin. Removing it will be painful and traumatic.
When applying, you need to constantly adjust the pressure so that it is uniform and the contents of the balloon come out in equal parts.
If you need to use the cylinder without a gun repeatedly, for example, within a month, then you need to bend the tube, fixing the fold with adhesive tape. Then press the valve to keep the pressure in the tube. So a balloon with polyurethane foam can be used without problems for 2 months.
If the balloon is needed again only after 5-6 months, there is another way to store it. You can use acetone. The tube is carefully removed from the balloon and washed with acetone. They also drip into the valve hole. Repeat the manipulation two or better three times. So the balloon will stand for up to six months.
To work with a professional-type cylinder without a gun, you will first need to choose a suitable plastic tube, figure out how to press the valve.
For this purpose, a hand-made tube of 3 parts is suitable:
The first part presses the valve, the second helps prevent splashing, and the third directs the foam jet to the right place.
To work with a professional-type cylinder without a gun, you will first need to select a suitable plastic tube.
mounting foam with a tube
You can make a gun for polyurethane foam from a pneumatic sprayer and a failed gun. They are combined and a well-functioning device is obtained. Here small instruction how to make a foam gun:
Important! The sealant is a flammable material and must not be exposed to fire.
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