Tips & Tricks
On the market, you can find a huge number of samples of winter foam for construction work. It differs not only in price, but also in temperature conditions. Therefore, before buying, you should read the instructions on the cylinder, not relying on the seller's tips. Feedback from colleagues or users is a great help. Some experts recommend preheating the material slightly to ensure a more even output and a large volume.
Winter foam can be used already at + 10 ° С.
Experienced craftsmen reveal several secrets that allow you to do the job efficiently and easily.
- Be sure to shake the container with leisurely movements so that the mass is evenly distributed inside.
- To improve adhesion, the surface can be slightly moistened with plain water. This way, the foam will lay down more neatly and firmly connect the parts.
- If the temperature outside has dropped to + 5 ° C, the bottle is immersed in warm water (not hot) for 10-15 minutes before starting work.
- Winter foam hardens for at least 6 hours. Experts recommend filling large gaps in several steps, applying a new layer after drying. So the seam will be perfectly sealed and will serve for many years without any complaints.
Otherwise, the properties deteriorate greatly, the resistance to moisture decreases. After opening and using a part of the bottle, it must be completely emptied within 30 days.
Another significant plus of winter foam is its versatility. In contrast to the summer type of material, winter foam shows excellent bonding properties at any time of the year. In the warm season, it gives an increased volume, hardens faster. If it was not possible to fully use the cylinder in the fall, it can be stored until spring, work on any installation and installations in the heat.
How much foam dries | Construction portal
This article will address two issues:
- How long does the foam dry? - Where and what is the use of polyurethane foam?
How long does the foam dry?
Answering the first question, we can say that the drying time of the polyurethane foam will depend on the ambient temperature. If the air humidity is high enough, the drying speed can last only 4 hours. However, all builders recommend not touching the foam for 24 hours.
Also take a close look at the balloon. It will tell you how many hours you need to wait for the foam to dry.
Where and what is polyurethane foam used for?
Polyurethane foam appeared relatively recently and became widespread. Indeed, this material is very convenient, quick to use and has a number of advantages, which we will talk about later.
The polyurethane foam is put on a construction gun and applied to the place of application, where it cures successfully.
Advantages of polyurethane foam and its properties:
- Sound insulation. - Seal. - Thermal insulation. - Connects and bonds. - Penetrates almost all cracks and cavities. - Fills all empty spaces and is self-curing.
Lack of polyurethane foam:
- Polyurethane foam is not used and does not bond together with silicone or polyethylene.
Foam has replaced traditional materials such as bitumen, cork, cement and many others. This material is also considered versatile, as it is able to bond and glue incompatible surfaces in terms of properties and textures. Cured foam is an excellent insulator and does not conduct electricity.
Application of polyurethane foam:
- Gluing. This material is suitable for fastening balcony, door and window openings. Can also be used for fixing insulating materials. - Sealing.You can insulate the room by patching up any cracks. - Soundproofing. Any holes can be repaired in a short time.
Another small drawback of polyurethane foam in temperature conditions. It is recommended to use it at temperatures from +5 to +30 degrees Celsius.
How to use the product?
Before using the sealant, you need to correctly calculate its volume. If the door needs to be foamed with polyurethane foam, the gaps between the box and the wall 3–5 cm wide will be filled from a 300 ml bottle. The output will be about 30 liters of expanded polyurethane. From a 500 ml bottle, 35 to 40 liters of foam will come out. This is enough for one and a half door frames. A 750 ml cylinder is capable of delivering from 45 to 50 liters of sealant. There is enough foam to handle two doors.
Before foaming, the surface is cleaned of dust, grease, abundantly moistened with water. In winter, ice, snow, frost are removed. To increase the foam yield, the can is shaken for 30 seconds, heated to room temperature, but not over fire.
To properly foam with polyurethane foam, hold the cylinder upside down. In the opposite position, only gas will come out. When using a pistol, the cylinder is screwed onto the seat. Extrusion occurs by pressing the trigger. If household foam is used, a plastic tube with pressure handles is screwed onto the spout of the cylinder.
The seams are foamed upwards. Try to apply an even layer with a thickness of half of the free space. Slots more than 5 cm deep are poured in two times, giving the first layer time to dry.
At the end of the work, the gun is washed with a special solvent. The cylinder is disposed of. The protruding excess after drying is cut off with a knife.
How long does polyurethane foam dry when installing doors?
The value of this building material mostly depends on its ability to expand many times. Household foam is capable of expanding up to 60% of the initial volume, professional formulations have a much higher coefficient - up to 300%. Moreover, the same foam in different conditions can expand in completely different ways. The prepolymer is influenced by temperature, air humidity, type of application, and the rate at which foam comes out of the can. And different masters in the same room may have different results. On the packaging, manufacturers indicate the maximum volume of polymer yield, but one should not focus strictly on it. polyurethane foam is a rather complicated material and has many nuances. As in the case of the expansion coefficient, which depends on many factors, it is rather difficult to answer the question "How long does the polyurethane foam cure?" First of all, it depends on the humidity. Water participates in the process of polymerization of the prepolymer, in addition, the foam has increased adhesion to wet surfaces, which is why it is recommended to wet the crevices and openings with water before applying the foam. If the humidity is normal, then 3 hours will be enough for a five-centimeter layer to harden, after which you can cut off the protruding pieces of polyurethane foam and apply plaster. The final cure will take much longer - 7 to 12 hours. If the weather is frosty and dry, then the process can drag on for a day. It is this time that will be the final answer to the question "How long does the polyurethane foam dry?" In any case, if time permits, take your time, wait until everything hardens properly. To speed up the curing process, periodically spray or moisturize in any way convenient for you. Remember that polymers are afraid of the sun's rays, so as soon as possible, protect the polyurethane foam - paint or plaster the surface that is in contact with ultraviolet light. The plastering process is in many ways similar to styrofoam plastering.
Scope of application
Below are some types of work where it is necessary to use polyurethane foam:
- filling voids and cracks in rooms where there is no heating, as well as on the roof;
- elimination of gaps between doors;
- fixation without fastening tools;
- fastening thermal insulation to walls;
- sound insulation;
- application in the field of premises renovation;
- sealing of holes on the surfaces of boats, rafts.
Polyurethane foam allows filling seams and gaps with a width of up to 80 mm inclusive (larger gaps must be pre-filled with boards or bricks). In order for the sealant to last as long as possible, it is necessary to use it correctly.
Below are some tips for using and applying polyurethane foam:
- It should be sprayed with water on the surface for better adhesion (before and after application).
- It is necessary to shake the cylinder before starting work, holding it with the bottom up.
- Filling of any gap should not be carried out completely (by about half) - this will reduce the consumption of the composition.
- It is necessary to cut off excess foam after the polymerization process.
- It is preferable to use high quality and proven products of well-known brands.
2 How to find a quality composition - look at the volume, adhesion and packaging
Foam for filling gaps began to be used relatively recently, but in just a few years this material has gained immense popularity among professional builders and home craftsmen. It is easy to work with, it has high-quality heat and sound insulation characteristics, and it is also inexpensive. After applying the prepolymer, it expands strongly and fills the surrounding voids, thanks to which it can be used to fix door and window frames in the walls, as well as to seal any other cracks and openings.
Sealing the gap with foam
The polymer is not afraid of low temperatures and precipitation, does not allow electric current to pass through, it is not harmed by mold and mildew. The only thing that can harm the performance of cured polyurethane foam is ultraviolet light. Therefore, when using it outdoors, it is recommended to cover the sealant with facing materials. One of the most important characteristics of a polymer is its porosity. For work, we recommend choosing compositions with a minimum porosity - the smaller the pores, the stronger the material and the lower its consumption during repairs.
On cylinders, you can also find such a characteristic as volume - this is an indicator after solidification. Manufacturers indicate the volumes for solidification under standard conditions at positive temperatures and high ambient humidity. In the cold season, it is not possible to obtain the specified volume of material from the container. The volume of even the highest quality foam at sub-zero temperatures can be halved.
A very valuable characteristic of any sealant is its adhesion or the ability to stick to surfaces. A quality sealant should have good adhesion characteristics to all materials. Adhesion problems can only arise if cellophane, polyethylene or Teflon have to be fixed.
The quality of the building material is also influenced by its packaging itself - a balloon. Good cylinders have reliable and durable valves that effectively prevent air from entering the cylinder and excessive gas escaping. By packaging, you can often easily distinguish high-quality polyurethane foam from low-quality. A high-quality balloon is very heavy and when you turn it over, you can feel how the contents roll slowly inside.
Indoor seams
To implement this construction task, the same technologies must be used. For optimal results, aesthetically pleasing drywall can be used. This material will hide the foam seams from prying eyes, in addition, small plates can be protected with an emulsion or pasted over with wallpaper.
There is only one drawback - drywall is afraid of high humidity, which is why it is not intended for the street side of the building. The material can be easily attached to the surface using standard size anchors and self-tapping screws. A craftsman can create a truly perfect surface with his own hands at an affordable price. Once the panels are in place, they should be coated with a quality primer for optimal adhesion to the upcoming finish.
To install drywall, you need to build a solid profile from natural wood. If the walls are even, then you can get by with the classic crate. In this situation, the panels are simply pushed onto a special glue, which greatly simplifies and speeds up installation. Thanks to this, in the process of many years of use, users will not encounter various unpleasant moments.
Otherwise, leaks, drafts, the growth of ice crusts, as well as uncontrolled growth of mold on those surfaces that adjoin the frame and the wall opening are not excluded. The typical lifespan of the foam joint is 17 years if all construction work has been done correctly. But the final figure depends on the factory, operating conditions, as well as the degree of compliance of the construction work performed with the established standards.
Putty application inside the house
Recommendations for the use of construction foam
To ensure the complete filling of the voids between the surfaces to be fastened when installing the doors and the comfortable expansion of the construction foam, the places of its contact are moistened with water. For this, sponges of various sizes, spray guns or conventional systems for spraying indoor plants are used. In most cases, 1/3 of the mixture of their volume is sufficient to fill the voids. The indicator depends on the temperature regime of the room and the humidity of the ambient air.
Cutting off excess product
In the final form, the polyurethane foam is not subject to the fatal effects of moisture, temperature changes, while it has high resistance to electric current and possible fires. At the same time, the effect of solar ultraviolet rays is destructive for it, which contribute to the deterioration of the thermal insulation qualities of the material and partial destruction. In this regard, it is necessary to plaster the polyurethane foam in a timely manner or paint it with ordinary paint.
When carrying out work on the installation of entrance doors, a prerequisite for the use of polyurethane foam is the outside air temperature not lower than that indicated by the manufacturer on the product packaging. It is also undesirable to exceed the heating threshold of the treated surfaces, which occurs under the condition of direct exposure to direct sunlight. In this case, it is possible to cool them with cold clean water.
Insulation of the outer door
Having familiarized yourself with the presented material, it will be easier to choose one or another manufacturer of construction foam and navigate the characteristics of the filler composition. The question of how long the sealant dries is losing its relevance, since the requirements for temperature conditions and air humidity for optimal conditions, the influence of the environment are known. Thus, it is possible to install doors in an interior opening in a short time. When installing an entrance door using foam, the surface is subject to mandatory plastering.
The characteristics and conditions of use of the polyurethane foam presented in the markets of the country are presented as follows in the video review.
How long does polyurethane foam dry on average?
What is polyurethane foam? Polyurethane foam is a sealant with polyurethane foam filler. It contains two main components - polyol and isocyanate. A polyol is nothing more than an aromatic diisocyanate, better known as methylene diphenyldiisocyanate.
Polyurethane foam characteristics
Many masters ask the question: "how long does the polyurethane foam dry?" Before answering this question, it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with its characteristics in detail.
The characteristics of the polyurethane foam are:
- 1.The volume of the foam outlet. It is measured in the amount of expansion and yield of polymer-containing raw materials per cylinder. Measured in liters. Strongly depends on the temperature of the outer surface of the can, humidity, wind.
- 2.Adhesion. It is a term for adhesion to various types and variations of building surfaces. With this, the polyurethane foam is in complete order. But there are also exceptions. These are polyethylene, silicone, ice, teflon, surfaces not free from the oil film.
- 3. Viscosity. The result that you get during use, its quality largely depends on this characteristic of the working substance. The viscosity is influenced by factors of high or low temperature. At temperatures below 5+ degrees Celsius or above 30+, polyurethane foam may begin to lose the desired consistency of the working mixture, which will have an extremely unfavorable effect in the future on the result obtained.
Polyurethane foam properties
Due to its excellent characteristics, polyurethane foam has the following properties.
Mounting properties - used in the installation of metal-plastic windows, installation of doors, attachment and connection of structures of various types.
Soundproofing properties - polyurethane foam delays and does not transmit sound waves of both the lower and high frequency spectrum.
Thermal insulation properties - perfectly retains heat inside the building in winter and does not allow heat from outside to seep into the house in summer. Model workshop
Sealing properties
The polyurethane foam, expanding during use, is capable of filling any cavities, joints inaccessible when using any other similar means.
Polyurethane foam is a self-curing material, which is incredibly convenient for builders. Working with it is easy and simple precisely because of this property. Before the widespread use of polyurethane foam, materials such as cement and tow took its place.
In the case of cement, you first had to stir it with water, make sure that the resulting solution reached a strictly defined consistency, then mix it evenly with tow. In the case of polyurethane foam, it is enough to go to the store and buy a cylinder. As you can see, everything is much more convenient.
And most importantly, polyurethane foam is a very versatile tool in the hands of a master; there are thousands of options for its use.
Separation of polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam can be divided according to the composition of the mixture into one-component and two-component. There is a separation of foam and temperature, which postpones certain restrictions on its use. The temperature separation is as follows - there is a summer polyurethane foam, winter, and the most comfortable, all-season. Some share the polyurethane foam by the method of release from a special can. Foam with a pistol method is called professional, when foam is released from the adapter tube, the foam is called household foam.
Polyurethane foam requirements
- 1.Mounting foam must adhere perfectly to any surfaces without dripping from them.
- 2. Shrink a moderate size (will not greatly decrease in the original volume after complete drying).
- 3.Have excellent elasticity.
- 4. It is unacceptable for the crumbled foam to crumble (especially important at low temperatures).
- 5. If the working substance is contained in a cylinder in a volume of 750 grams, its weight should not exceed 850-900 grams.
Video: Features of polyurethane foam
Read more:
Svitlodіodnі lines, as to change the indicator of 10 watts for the strain, or for one meter of running meter there are svіtlodіods types 3528, 5050, 5014, 2835 in the range of 120-240 units
They say “My home, my fortress”, and each “fortress” has a roof, which must be periodically reviewed for changes and breakdowns.When the roof of the house starts to be owned
For the installation of exclusive metal doors on the street, the hot forging method is used. Regardless of the quality, the material is subject to the influence of the environment, therefore the appearance of hw
Piles are load-bearing elements of any structure that take the main load. Such elements are used most often in construction.
The characteristics of the polyurethane foam - let's figure it out in detail!
This sealant began to be used in the construction industry relatively recently, but during this short time, polyurethane foam has almost completely replaced its former competitors. It is easy to apply, is inexpensive, lasts for many decades, and has sound and heat insulating properties. Most often it is used to seal the gaps between the doorway and the door frame during its installation, as well as when installing windows.
Expanding, the sealant fills in all the voids, reliably "glues" surfaces to each other, and when solidified, the polymer fixes the door frame or window. Foam is not afraid of precipitation and cold, it does not allow electricity to pass through and is not afraid of mold and mildew. The only drawback is the fear of ultraviolet radiation, however, the material is often applied at the stage of rough work, which are then hidden under a decorative layer of plaster.
Anyone who comes across this material quite often begins to pay attention to parameters such as:
Porosity of polyurethane foam. The smaller the pores, the better - less plaster consumption and stronger material structure. The more closed pores on the surface, the better the material there - it reliably retains heat inside the house.
The volume of polyurethane foam. This refers to the volume of the polymer after it has solidified.
It is important to remember that manufacturers indicate the volume based on standard climatic conditions: positive temperature, high humidity. In winter, the volume of finished foam from a cylinder of the same company may be half as much, and the company has nothing to do with it - the low temperature and low air humidity are to blame. than from the option with a ready-made adapter, since manufacturers pump more gas into professional cylinders
The fact is that in household cylinders very often the gas runs out earlier than the material, and this is a waste of money. Traditionally, cylinders have a capacity of 300 ml, 500 ml and 750 ml. A 300-milliliter can contains about 30 liters of foam, which is enough to fill a gap of up to 5 cm between one door frame and a doorway. If the gap is larger, it is recommended, in order to save money, to reduce the width of the gap by using a layer of foam or other similar material. The foam output from a 500 ml container is up to 40 liters, and from a 750 ml container - up to 50 liters. One 750 ml can is enough to process two standard door frames.
Material adhesion. The very concept of "adhesion" means the ability of one material to stick to another. In the case of polyurethane foam, the adhesion of the material is very high to almost any surface, except cellophane, polyethylene and Teflon. Due to its high adhesion rates, this sealant is often used as an adhesive, especially when gluing PVC or foam panels. Be sure that after the binder has completely hardened, the panels can only be peeled off with the "meat". High adhesion allows you to close even large gaps by applying the polymer in several layers. However, in such cases, do not save on material - poor quality foam clings to the surface worse, falls down, more is consumed. In a word, it is cheaper to buy the one that is more expensive.
The quality of the balloon. Both the design and the quality of the cylinder can affect the final result.Firstly, high-quality products are equipped with reliable valves that easily return to their original position after pressing, blocking the air and gas outlet. By the way, it is by the cylinders that you can determine what you are dealing with - a high-quality material or a cheap fake. Take two cylinders for comparison in a store for comparison - if the contents are different in quality, then you will feel it. The best bottle will be heavier, as you move, you will feel the contents roll slowly from side to side. In a cheap bottle, the prepolymer will dangle like sour yogurt.
Consumption of sealant
Foam cylinders are available in volumes of 300, 500, 750 ml, there are other options. The composition yield is respectively equal to 30, 40, 50 liters. But you need to understand that you may not get so much foam - there are no ideal surfaces and working conditions. The consumption of the sealant is influenced by the correct application, the temperature and humidity of the environment, the experience of the repairman and other factors. Therefore, the foam output indicated on the tube must be taken as a conditional figure, and the sealant must be bought with a margin.
To reduce foam consumption, the surface can be sprayed with water prior to application. This will help to achieve maximum expansion of the substance. The can with the assembly tool should be shaken upside down, and the joints and holes should be filled by 30-50%. The mass will gain volume and completely fill the rest of the space. For work, you need to use products of proven brands, carefully read the manufacturer's instructions and the technical characteristics of the foam. Compared to other means (cement mortar, putty, grout), the assembly sealant has a very high polymerization rate.
Polymerization of concrete
Concrete hardens through hydration, a special chemical reaction that occurs between the cementitious components and water. The process is designed to convert the basic raw materials (cement-sand mixture with crushed stone and sand) into calcium hydrosilicate. At the end of the hardening period, a monolithic base with increased strength properties is created.
The hardening time of concrete is determined by the following factors:
- mixtures.
- Proportions and ratio of components in solution.
- Indicators of atmospheric humidity.
- Production technology.
- Ambient temperature conditions.
- The thickness and density of the concrete pour.
- Compliance with the rules for caring for the solution during the hardening process.
For complete polymerization, two stages are involved:
- Grasping.
- A set of declared strength.
When determining how much concrete dries, it is important to take into account the brand of cement that was used when mixing the mixture. The M500 model is characterized by the highest reliability, and the M100 model is characterized by the minimum strength.
Still the time of concrete hardening is determined by the proportions of the components and the presence of various fillers in the composition. The more sand or gravel is present in the solution, the faster excess liquid will come out of it. If you use a large amount of expanded clay and slag, the water will evaporate more slowly.
To retain moisture in the mixture, it must be covered with a waterproofing film. It can be polyethylene or bituminous mastic. The task of such materials is to enhance hydration and protect the solution from rapid fluid loss.
Also, this effect is achieved by periodically wetting the solution with water. It is applied by spraying or spraying.
Grasping
The setting of concrete is the first stage of its polymerization and takes no more than 1-2.5 hours. The exact interval is determined by the temperature conditions under which the work is performed:
- If the ambient temperature is + 20 ° C, the chemical reaction will start in 100-120 minutes after pouring the mixture into the formwork. Then the composition will dry for another hour.
- At a temperature of + 1 ... + 19 ° С setting will take place in 3-5 hours.
- At zero temperature, the reaction starts 7-10 hours after mixing.In this case, the drying time will be 16-20 hours.
If there is a negative temperature at the construction site, the components of the mixture will no longer enter into the process of hydration with water, and the mixture will not be able to dry out. It will remain inert until the temperature rises above 0 ° C. To get rid of this phenomenon, you can add special fillers to the concrete composition, which accelerate hydration, or build an insulated formwork.
If it is hot enough outside (above + 30 ° C), the setting time of the concrete will be reduced, but the quality of the final product will decrease. This is due to the rapid evaporation of moisture and deterioration of the strength properties of concrete products.
In a hot period, special fillers are introduced into the mixture, which increase the time of concrete hardening.
Among them:
- Acid NTF.
- Sugar molasses.
- Sodium gluconate.
- Complex formulations.
- Other additives.
How long concrete dries and how long it takes to set depends on a variety of factors. By hydration is meant the process of converting a feedstock into calcium hydrate, i. E. the cement base begins to mineralize and becomes monolithic.
Curing time
After setting, the concrete hardening process begins. It consists in the occurrence of a chemical reaction between the cement granules and the liquid from the solution. The best indicators of hydration are observed at air humidity of 75% and at a temperature of + 15 ... 20 ° C.
If the temperature indicators are kept below + 10 ° C, it will be necessary to introduce special anti-frost components into the composition. Otherwise, the concrete will not receive its design strength.
Requirements
Polyurethane foam is a material for which, like any other, a number of requirements are put forward.
These requirements include:
- good adhesion of surfaces;
- elasticity;
- after solidification, the material should not crumble, even when exposed to sub-zero temperatures;
- shrinkage of a solution that has already dried should be moderate.
We draw the attention of users to the fact that the foam is very afraid of direct sunlight. For this reason, after complete hardening, the excess is cut off, and all sealed places are treated with paint or plaster.
And in order not to disturb the density of the material and to make the application sequence correctly, you need to know how long it takes to completely solidify.
To eliminate gaps between door frames and openings, only one third of the sealant will be required. The material will begin to solidify on the surface within half an hour after application. You will notice that a film will appear on the surface.
Final drying can be expected 8 hours after application. The fixing process occurs due to the expansion of the substance, which comes out of the container and solidifies.
Conventionally, this is divided into several stages:
- primary, which is carried out immediately at the exit from the package;
- secondary, which is not completed until the final transformation of the foam into a solid composition.
If the material is of high quality, then at the second stage the expansion rate can reach 30%, this must be taken into account in the process of work. Most often, it takes a third of the material to fill the space, this is enough to fill all the cracks when expanding.
This is interesting: Which profile to use for drywall partitions? (video)
Please tell me, when installing plastic windows, the assembly seams are sealed with foam.
depends on the environment of exposure, accordingly, the more negative factors are affected, such as cold, sun, the faster it is destroyed
Don't be scared before dinner. Means all the same it is destroyed. but what about the 20-year gorantia?
She does not begin to destroy. It swells to the limit during the day, then it needs to be carefully cut off and putty. Both from the inside and from the outside
The foam is destroyed only when exposed to sunlight.So I did not notice until the summer, it will stand-The question is not clear
what 2 hours! complete crap, just foam after installation, after 24 hours it must be cut off and immediately closed either with slopes, platbands, etc., etc., because firstly the cut foam releases cyanide in small quantities, but still, and secondly, under the influence sunlight it begins to collapse.
this foam must be sealed. outside with a special mixture that includes an alibaster (professionals know) and from the outside it needs to be repaired by ANYONE from the sun, it will dry out and the wind will blow it out, and inside, too, but with putty. in this mode, it will stand for 10 years without any intervention, and she is also afraid of moisture.
If asked about freezing, then two hours and you can work with her. And if it collapses, then even the foam for outdoor work will still collapse. It needs to be closed up with a slope once, and then forget about it. And so what do not zapente, but all the same it will collapse. If the outer slopes are located so that you cannot get from the room, then in this case, you can still do the work.
Nichrome foam does not collapse, you just need to look at what temperature the foam is intended for, for outdoor work you need to use foam, for five years your brother has foam, and the sun and frost, does not take anything, it just darkens, if it collapses, it was not used in production in such quantities as now!
We put up the windows and laid the slopes in one day, all the seams were plastered to us with something white, and then we painted, and from the inside the plastic slopes were closed, the foam does not see the light, and therefore does not collapse. I have been at the dacha for 7 years already, it deteriorates in the sun. So far, just yellow, but traces of destruction have already appeared. so don't wait long, putty
Expansion ratio
Rapid and at the same time multiple expansion of the composition is the main task of the sealant. As a rule, the volume increases by 60% when using household polyurethane foam. The professional version is distinguished by a more pronounced coefficient (two or three times). The increase in the material depends on the conditions of its use.
Polymer expansion depends on temperature, air humidity, the rate of release of the foam composition from the container, as well as on the surface treatment before direct application. Usually, information about the maximum possible output volume is contained on the cylinders themselves, but it is not recommended to completely trust the declared indicator.
Let's touch on the foam expansion process. It is customary to divide it into two stages: primary and secondary expansion. The primary is provided a few seconds after release. The second stage is the final hardening followed by polymer transformation. The foam gets its final volume already at the initial stage. The second, as a rule, expands up to 30%. Therefore, we advise you not to neglect the second stage.
It is important to remember that polyurethane foam not only implies expansion, but also shrinkage after release. Buying from well-known manufacturers quite often ensures the quality of the building material (shrinkage is not higher than 5%)
If shrinkage is outside this level, this is evidence of poor quality. Excessive shrinkage leads to polymer tearing, and this is often the cause of new problems in construction.