How quickly the foam dries. How long does it take for the foam to harden? Drying time of mounting foam. Macroflex polyurethane foam: product series, consumer reviews

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There are a number of factors that affect how much mounting foam dries. Polymerization, or in simple terms, the hardening time of the foam, is completely dependent on moisture. Water catalyzes this process, as a result of which a certain pattern is obtained: the more the material gets wet, the faster it hardens.

Polyurethane foam is valued primarily for its ability to expand after application to the surface. Moreover, the volume of this material increases several times.

Conventional household sealants increase in volume up to 60%. Professional formulations of high quality have a coefficient of more than 250%.

Foam for household (with applicator) and professional use

The same composition has a different expansion coefficient under the influence of different conditions.

These conditions include:

Temperature indicator;
Application method;
The level of air humidity;
The rate at which a substance exits a container.

Although manufacturers put volume information on the label (final volume after expansion), do not rely too much on this data.

The expansion of the substance occurs when the sealant leaves the cylinder and solidifies.

Conventionally, this process is divided into two stages:

Primary expansion - occurs when the material is applied.
Secondary expansion - carried out until the conversion time is completed. For quality materials at this stage, the expansion coefficient is 30%, which is taken into account during operation. More often enough to fill the space by a third. As a result, the material after expansion will fill the gap completely.

The foam shrinks. When choosing a quality material, you can not be afraid that this will cause problems , since the shrinkage in this case is a rare thing. The coefficient is 5% and shrinkage is difficult to see with the naked eye. If this is visible, then the polyurethane is of poor quality.

Using foam when installing doors

Features of polyurethane material

Polyurethane foam is widely used in construction. Due to the expansion of the material, the voids are filled and the surfaces are glued together.

Use extends to:

Installation of window and door structures;
Sealing of elements of communication systems;
Insulation of premises;
Filling hidden voids and defects on different surfaces, etc.

Foam is vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the application of the material is carried out at the stage of roughing. Subsequently, the gaps are closed with finishing materials.

In addition to the coefficient of expansion, there are other parameters that are paid attention to when choosing a material.

Main characteristics:

Structure - a quality product is characterized by small cells and a large number of closed pores on the surface;
The final volume is the volume of the foam after the completion of its drying time. Some sealants with a 0.75 liter can can provide up to 60 liters of final volume;
Adhesion ability - the property of a sealant to provide good adhesion to the surfaces to which it is applied. The exception is Teflon, cellophane, polyethylene - they do not lend themselves to good gluing with foam;
The device of the cylinder - high-quality containers are equipped with a reliable valve, the material must move slowly during the movement of the cylinder.

The result of applying different sealants

Material polymerization principle

Water plays a major role in the curing of the sealant. Under the influence of moisture, the level of adhesion increases, so experts recommend moistening openings and crevices with water before applying the sealant.

With normal humidity, a five-centimeter-thick layer of foam can dry within three hours. After that, a correction is performed. All protruding and sloppy parts of the sealant are cut off and plastered.

Completion of polymerization occurs after 12 hours, sometimes less. The influence of frost and dry weather conditions increases the curing time, which can last another 24 hours. Therefore, for safety reasons, it is better to postpone further work for a period until the sealant hardens.

What else can you learn about mounting foam:

There are ways to speed up polymerization. It is enough to moisten the surface of the sealant with improvised means or spray it with water from a spray bottle. To protect the material from the sun, the filled areas are covered with a layer of plaster or painted over (only those areas that are exposed to sunlight).

In contact with

How much mounting foam dries is influenced by many factors, ranging from the quality and composition of the sealant used, to the temperature and humidity of the environment. All these characteristics must be taken into account for reliable sealing of cracks and openings.

What is the expansion coefficient of a sealant

The main value of polyurethane foam lies in its ability to quickly and repeatedly expand. Household types of sealant are able to increase their volume by 60% of their original state, while professional compounds, which have a much better coefficient of expansion, can increase by 2-3 times. The ability to increase in size depends not only on the composition and quality of the material, but also on the conditions in which it is used. The coefficient of expansion of the polymer is affected by temperature, ambient humidity, the rate of release of the composition from the cylinder, and even the method of application to the surface to be treated.

The maximum possible foam output is always indicated on the cylinders, however, such results can only be achieved under ideal conditions, therefore you should not trust the manufacturers' statements 100%.

The entire prepolymer expansion procedure is divided into two steps. Primary expansion occurs immediately after the material exits the balloon. The secondary expansion lasts until the final solidification of the composition and its transformation into a polymer. The material acquires the largest volume at the first stage, however, it is not recommended to ignore the secondary expansion, on it the foam can acquire up to 30% of the maximum volume.

Polyurethane foam can not only expand, but also shrink after leaving the cylinder. For good building materials, the shrinkage value rarely exceeds 5%, that is, strong shrinkage may indicate poor quality. Significant shrinkage of the foam often leads to a break in the polymer mass, which in turn can cause additional problems.

How to find a quality composition - look at the volume, adhesion and packaging

The use of gap sealing foam is relatively recent, 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 greatly expands and fills the surrounding voids, thanks to which it can be used to fix door and window frames in walls, as well as to seal any other cracks and openings.

The polymer is not afraid of low temperatures and precipitation, does not pass electric current, and mold and fungus do not harm it. The only thing that can damage the performance of a hardened polyurethane foam is ultraviolet. Therefore, when using the sealant outdoors, it is recommended to cover it with facing materials. Among the most important characteristics of the polymer, one can note its porosity. For work, we recommend choosing compositions with minimal porosity - the smaller the pores, the stronger the material and the less 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 indicated volume of material from the cylinder. 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 ability to stick to surfaces. A quality sealant should have good adhesion characteristics to any materials. Adhesion problems can only arise if cellophane, polyethylene or teflon must be fixed.

The quality of the building material is also affected by its packaging itself - the balloon. Good cylinders have reliable and durable valves that effectively prevent air from entering the cylinder and excessive gas escaping. By packaging, it is often easy to distinguish high-quality polyurethane foam from poor quality. A high-quality container is heavy and when it is turned over, you can feel how the contents slowly roll inside.

How long the mounting foam dries - the exact polymerization time

Polyurethane foam is a complex material, the quality and characteristics of which depend on many external factors. Mounting foam hardens under the influence of its individual parameters and environmental conditions. Humidity has the strongest effect on the rate of polymer hardening. The polymerization procedure is directly dependent on water, therefore, at high humidity, the rate of hardening of the composition increases, and the quality of adhesion with wet surfaces also increases. Experts recommend moistening cracks and openings with water before sealing them.

At high humidity parameters, the curing time of a five-centimeter layer of prepolymer will be no more than three hours, however, after that, the polymer will continue to gain hardness for the next 6-9 hours. At sub-zero temperatures, this procedure will last much longer - up to 24 hours. Professionals in the field of construction do not recommend rushing with the final finishing of foamed cracks and openings. It is best to give the sealant time to fully cure. In summer - up to 24 hours for solidification, and in winter - up to 36 hours. To speed up the procedure, the material can be periodically sprayed or moistened in any other way. The main thing to remember is that the polymer is afraid of sunlight.

Which sealant to choose - an analysis of the modern market

The key to a successful renovation is the use of the highest quality, reliable building materials. To carry out professional sealing of seams and cracks, choose sealants with the best technical and operational characteristics.

Among all brands of polyurethane foam on the market, we recommend paying attention to the following:

1. Moment Mounting. A justifiably popular brand, presented in almost every hardware store. Differs in uniform density, good adhesion practically to all materials, it can be used at external and internal repair work. The disadvantage of the brand is a strong secondary expansion, as a result of which the use of a large amount of foam can lead to deformation of the sealed joints.
2. Makroflex. One of the famous brands. It can be used for work at any time of the year, it adheres well to different surfaces, has a homogeneous structure and is characterized by minimal secondary expansion parameters. The disadvantages include the presence of frank marriage in the market. Cylinders are usually defective, which, after a short operation, begin to produce either one gas or one sealant.
3. soudal. A less well-known brand under which high-quality sealants are produced. There are foams on the market for work in summer and winter. The winter version can be used even at a temperature of minus 20 degrees. All products under this brand are distinguished by good adhesion, slight secondary expansion and minimal shrinkage. Foams do not tolerate the sun's rays.
4. Penosil. High-quality sealant with a uniform and dense structure. It has almost no secondary expansion and has good output volumes. Especially effective for indoor work. Not suitable for outdoor work. At temperatures below -4 and above +35 it can not be used.
5. TitanO2. It is considered the most popular brand of professional sealants. At a low price, it has excellent performance, good adhesion and a dense structure. Can be used in different conditions.

There is no perfect sealant. Any professional knows that each material has both positive and negative qualities. Therefore, to achieve a good result, the sealant should be carefully selected and used in full accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Polyurethane foam belongs to the group of sealing agents, without which it is impossible to do without during the construction process. It is used in cases where it is necessary to seal seams / joints of more than 3 cm. You can often stumble upon the question “How long does the mounting foam dry”, but it turns out that it is not quite correctly posed. The fact is that the secret of turning the prepolymer into a strong polyurethane foam lies in the degree of its wetting.

Expansion factor

The main feature of the described building material is its ability to expand several times. If we talk about household foam, then its coefficient of increase in volume reaches 60%, in professional compositions it can be all 300%

Attention! Identical varieties of material can behave very differently, and this is determined by environmental conditions. We are talking about the air temperature, its humidity, the type of application, the speed with which the foam composition leaves the container. Manufacturers always indicate overestimated output volume indicators, but you should not be guided only by them.

Before you figure out how long the mounting foam dries, consider its types. It can be primary, i.e. the prepolymer begins to expand immediately upon application to the surface. As the name implies, the secondary expansion lasts throughout all stages of the transformation of a high-molecular compound. This should always be remembered when using such building materials.

The ability to expand is not the only characteristic. How much mounting foam dries in an apartment sometimes depends on the degree of its shrinkage, which rarely reaches 5%. If this happens, then most likely you are using low-quality materials. Be prepared for the fact that a mass break may even occur. Each master selects the best option for himself, taking into account his needs. If the degree of expansion is in the first place for you, then Macroflex, Moment, GoldGan, Macrosil products are suitable.

Detailed description of the sealant

Interesting! This type of sealant in the construction industry began to be used recently, but despite this, it quickly replaced its competitors.

The advantages of polyurethane foam include:

easy application;
affordability;
durability.

And most importantly, this is that polyurethane foam has sound / heat insulating qualities. Often building materials are used in the process of installing doors, window blocks. Expanding, it completely fills the voids, gluing the work surfaces. How long the mounting foam should dry depends on the thickness of the layer. For example, if it is 5 cm, then it will harden already within 3 hours after leaving the balloon. In solid form, the material is not afraid of precipitation, cold, mold, fungus and even electricity. But the same cannot be said about ultraviolet. But this disadvantage is easily eliminated by applying a layer of decorative plaster.

If you have to choose a sealant, then, in addition to how long the Macroflex mounting foam dries, you should be interested in the following parameters:

How does hardening occur, how long can it last?

At first it was said that water plays a major role in the process of sealant hardening. It is under its influence that the level of adhesion increases, so experts recommend pre-wetting the working surfaces. If you are interested in how much mounting foam dries when installing doors, then keep in mind that this indicator is affected by the thickness of the layer and the air temperature. With optimal performance, completely dried excess pieces of material can be cut off after 3 hours, and proceed with the plaster. As for the final polymerization, it lasts for another 12 hours. In conditions of cold and dry weather, the process can be delayed for an indefinite amount of time. One thing is for sure, that it is possible to proceed to the next stage of work only after the porous mixture has completely solidified.

If you are not satisfied with how long the mounting foam dries when installing windows, you can speed up the process. To do this, periodically spray the sealant (moisten it in any way convenient for you). Do not forget that despite the many advantages, polyurethane foam is afraid of sunlight, so at the first opportunity it must be protected from them by plastering.

Indicator	Din	Mounting KS	Pistol NBS
Material fire resistance class	4102	AT 3	AT 3
Thermal conductivity	52612	0.035 W/(mºС)
Tensile Strength	53455	140 kPa	65 kPa
Elongation at break	53455	13%	17%
Shear strength	53422	90 kPa	40 kPa
Compressive stress at 10% strain	ISO 844		25 kPa
Foaming: When the surface is wet No moisture
Hygroscopicity	53428	0,3%	0,3%
Temperature stability	for a long time	from -40ºС to +90ºС from -40ºС to +130ºС	from -40ºС to +90ºС from -40ºС to +130ºС
Processing temperature		from -10ºС to +35ºС
Loss of stickiness (with a strip thickness of 30 mm)		In 10 minutes	In 10 minutes
Cutting (with a strip thickness of 30 mm)		After 60 min	After 45 minutes
	After 24 hours	After 24 hours
Foam output 750 ml		42 l	45 l
Raw Material Density		25 - 33 kg/m³	15 - 25 kg/m³
Shelf life			12 months from date of manufacture
Warehouse storage conditions			in a cool dry place in a horizontal position

Do not forget about precautions, this will avoid unpleasant consequences.

In fact, the question "How long does the mounting foam dry?" placed completely wrong! The secret to converting a prepolymer into a strong polyurethane foam is how well it gets wet. It is from moisture that the rate of "drying" of the foam depends. Let's take a closer look.

1 Expansion factor - main parameter

The value of this building material for the most part depends precisely on its ability to expand many times over. Household foam is able to expand up to 60% of its original volume, professional compositions have a much higher coefficient - up to 300%. Moreover, the same foam under different conditions can expand in completely different ways. The prepolymer is affected by temperature, air humidity, type of application, foam exit rate from the can. Yes, and different masters in the same room can have different results. On the packaging, manufacturers indicate the maximum yield of the polymer, but you should not strictly focus on it.

The expansion of the prepolymer during the process of exit from the balloon and solidification is divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary expansion is called immediately after exiting the cylinder, secondary expansion lasts until the completion of the polymer transformation process. The secondary expansion of high-quality materials reaches 30%, which cannot be ignored when using them. It is usually enough to fill the gap by one third, so that in the end it is completely filled with polyurethane foam.

In addition to expansion, polyurethane foam can also shrink, although for quality products this shrinkage is rarely 5%. If you observe a large shrinkage - alas, you have come across a very low-quality polyurethane. In this case, even a gap in the mass can happen, which in turn will entail a lot of other problems. Each master chooses foam according to his needs. A large expansion is important to someone, in such cases it will do Makroflex, Penosil GoldGun, Moment, Macrosil, when installing windows it is best to use Tytan- it gives optimal expansion and quickly hardens.

2 Characteristics of polyurethane foam - let's look at the details!

This sealant began to be used in the construction industry relatively recently, however, in this short time, polyurethane foam has almost completely replaced its former competitors. It is applied easily, is inexpensive, serves for many decades, has sound and heat insulating properties. Most often it is used to seal gaps between the doorway and the door frame during its installation, as well as when installing windows.

Expanding, the sealant fills all the voids, reliably "glues" the surfaces together, and when solidified, the polymer fixes the door frame or window. Foam is not afraid of precipitation and cold, it does not pass electricity and is not afraid of mold and fungus. The only drawback is the fear of ultraviolet radiation, however, often the material is applied at the stage of rough work, which is then hidden under a decorative layer of plaster.

Anyone who encounters this material quite often begins to pay attention to such parameters 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 is - it will reliably retain heat inside the house.
The volume of mounting foam. We are talking about the volume of the polymer after it hardens. 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 can be half as much, and the company has nothing to do with it - low temperature and low air humidity are to blame. It should also be remembered that the yield of material from a cylinder used with a mounting gun is usually more , 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 before the material, and this is money thrown away. Traditionally, cylinders have a capacity of 300 ml, 500 ml and 750 ml. A 300 ml can contains about 30 liters of foam, this is enough to close up a gap of up to 5 cm between one door frame and a doorway. If the gap is larger, it is recommended to reduce the width of the gap with a layer of foam or other similar material in order to save money. The output of foam 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 for two standard door frames.
material adhesion. The very concept of "adhesion" means the ability of one material to stick together with another. In the case of polyurethane foam, the adhesion of the material is very high to almost any surface, except for cellophane, polyethylene and Teflon. Due to its high adhesion, this sealant is often used as an adhesive, especially when gluing PVC or foam boards. Rest assured, after complete hardening of the binder, the panels can only be torn off with "meat". High adhesion allows you to seal even large gaps by applying the polymer in several layers. However, in such cases, do not skimp on the material - low-quality foam clings worse to the surface, falls down, and more is consumed. In a word, it is cheaper to buy the cylinder that is more expensive.
Balloon quality. Both the design and 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 being pressed, blocking air access and gas outlet. By the way, it is by the cylinders that you can determine what you are dealing with - with high-quality material or a cheap fake. Take two cylinders in the store for comparison - if the contents are of different quality, then you will feel it. The best tank will be heavier, and as you move, you will feel the contents slowly roll from side to side. In a cheap bottle, the prepolymer will hang around like sour yogurt.

How long does mounting foam dry - looking for the exact answer

As you already understood, polyurethane foam is a rather complicated material and has many nuances. As in the case of the expansion coefficient, which depends on many factors, answering the question "How long does the mounting foam harden?" Is quite difficult. First of all, it depends on the humidity.

Water is involved in the polymerization process of the prepolymer, in addition, the foam has increased adhesion to wet surfaces, which is why it is recommended to wet the cracks and openings with water before applying the foam.

If the humidity is normal, then 3 hours will be enough to solidify a five-centimeter layer, after which you can cut off the protruding pieces of polyurethane foam and apply plaster. The final polymerization will last much longer - from 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 up"". In any case, if time permits, take your time, wait until everything hardens properly.

To speed up the hardening process, periodically spray the material or moisten in any way convenient for you. Remember that polymers are afraid of sunlight, so as soon as possible, paint over or plaster the surface that is in contact with ultraviolet light. The process of plastering is in many ways similar to.

How much the mounting foam dries is influenced by many factors, ranging from the quality and composition of the sealant used, and ending with the temperature and humidity of the environment. All these characteristics must be taken into account for reliable sealing of cracks and openings.

What is the expansion coefficient of a sealant

Which sealant to choose - an analysis of the modern market

Among all brands of polyurethane foam on the market, we recommend paying attention to the following:

1. Moment Mounting. A justifiably popular brand, presented in almost every hardware store. Differs in uniform density, good adhesion practically to all materials, it can be used at external and internal repair work. The disadvantage of the brand is a strong secondary expansion, as a result of which the use of a large amount of foam can lead to deformation of the sealed joints.
2. Makroflex. One of the famous brands. It can be used for work at any time of the year, it adheres well to different surfaces, has a homogeneous structure and is characterized by minimal secondary expansion parameters. The disadvantages include the presence of frank marriage in the market. Cylinders are usually defective, which, after a short operation, begin to produce either one gas or one sealant.
3. soudal. Less well-known brand, under which high-quality sealants are produced. There are foams on the market for work in summer and winter. The winter version can be used even at a temperature of minus 20 degrees. All products under this brand are distinguished by good adhesion, slight secondary expansion and minimal shrinkage. Foams do not tolerate the sun's rays.
4. Penosil. High-quality sealant with a uniform and dense structure. It has almost no secondary expansion and has good output volumes. Especially effective for indoor work. Not suitable for outdoor work. At temperatures below -4 and above +35 it can not be used.
5. TitanO2. It is considered the most popular brand of professional sealants. At a low price, it has excellent performance, good adhesion and a dense structure. Can be used in different conditions.

Polyurethane foam is one of those materials that has recently appeared on our market, but has already gained popularity and widespread use among builders and repairmen.

Indeed, many have already abandoned the use of cement, plaster, mineral wool. In addition to the fact that working with these materials is quite difficult, there is still no guarantee that you will be able to completely close up all the holes and holes. Mounting foam is a truly versatile option.

This product has a number of advantages over other sealants:

ease of use;
no additional skills or abilities are required;
speed of application;
affordable price;
the ability to penetrate into hard-to-reach places;
safety for human health;
possessing sound and heat insulation qualities;
high degree of adhesion to all materials.

Polyurethane foam is used during the installation of windows, doors, when filling holes inside walls, ceilings, sealing holes near pipes. As already noted, mounting foam can be used with metal, glass, wood, concrete, brick, ceramics.

To choose a good foam and carry out effective work, you should know the main characteristics of this substance.

Temperature plays an important role in foam drying time. It is believed that the best option would be a range from +5 to +30 degrees indoors. In addition, the can itself must be heated to a temperature of +10 degrees. Mounting foam dries up precisely when exposed to atmospheric phenomena. Of no small importance is humidity, which also affects the speed and drying time of any mounting foam. If there is not enough moisture, before starting work, moisten the surface to be treated with water using a conventional sprayer. Experiments have shown that the ideal conditions are +20°C and 60-80% humidity. Then the time for complete drying of the mounting foam is approximately 3-5 hours, however, it is rather difficult to achieve such conditions.

Most often, the appearance of the first hard crust occurs after 20-30 minutes, but complete solidification can last for a day. It also depends on the amount of applied material. In any case, the hardening time of the mounting foam is usually written on the packaging. It may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

When working with mounting foam, remember the expansion that it has. This substance usually increases in size 2 times: at the first pouring out of the can, with gradual hardening. This fact must be taken into account, since if you do not fix the structure, this can lead to its deformation, because the hardened mounting foam is very strong and hard.

Also, a good foam has a sufficient degree of viscosity, which does not allow it to spread over the surface.

Now many companies produce this product. You should not buy cheap polyurethane foam, otherwise you run the risk of low quality. It is best to use a well-known, reliable brand. Belinka has always produced quality products. In the catalog of this company you can find several types of mounting foam.

BELINKA BELPUR PU FOAM GUN is a wonderful, summer polyurethane foam, when working with it, it is necessary to maintain the air temperature not lower than +5°С. It has a high level of adhesion to all materials, never spreads, does not crumble, and retains its properties for a long time. When working with this type of product, a gun is required. With such equipment, working is much more convenient and faster. The hardening time of this mounting foam ranges from 5 to 12 hours. Mounting foam is produced in cylinders only with a volume of 750 ml. This substance perfectly tolerates the effects of water, moisture, chemicals.

1 Expansion factor - main parameter

2 Characteristics of polyurethane foam - let's look at the details!

Anyone who encounters this material quite often begins to pay attention to such parameters 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 is - it will reliably retain heat inside the house.
The volume of mounting foam. We are talking about the volume of the polymer after it hardens. 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 can be half as much, and the company has nothing to do with it - low temperature and low air humidity are to blame. It should also be remembered that the yield of material from a cylinder used with a mounting gun is usually more , 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 before the material, and this is money thrown away. Traditionally, cylinders have a capacity of 300 ml, 500 ml and 750 ml. A 300 ml can contains about 30 liters of foam, this is enough to close up a gap of up to 5 cm between one door frame and a doorway. If the gap is larger, it is recommended to reduce the width of the gap with a layer of foam or other similar material in order to save money. The output of foam 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 for two standard door frames.
material adhesion. The very concept of "adhesion" means the ability of one material to stick together with another. In the case of polyurethane foam, the adhesion of the material is very high to almost any surface, except for cellophane, polyethylene and Teflon. Due to its high adhesion, this sealant is often used as an adhesive, especially when gluing PVC or foam boards. Rest assured, after complete hardening of the binder, the panels can only be torn off with "meat". High adhesion allows you to seal even large gaps by applying the polymer in several layers. However, in such cases, do not skimp on the material - low-quality foam clings worse to the surface, falls down, and more is consumed. In a word, it is cheaper to buy the cylinder that is more expensive.
Balloon quality. Both the design and 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 being pressed, blocking air access and gas outlet. By the way, it is by the cylinders that you can determine what you are dealing with - with high-quality material or a cheap fake. Take two cylinders in the store for comparison - if the contents are of different quality, then you will feel it. The best tank will be heavier, and as you move, you will feel the contents slowly roll from side to side. In a cheap bottle, the prepolymer will hang around like sour yogurt.

How long does mounting foam dry - looking for the exact answer

Water is involved in the polymerization process of the prepolymer, in addition, the foam has increased adhesion to wet surfaces, which is why it is recommended to wet the cracks and openings with water before applying the foam.

Expansion factor

The ability to expand is not the only characteristic. How much mounting foam dries in an apartment sometimes depends on the degree of its shrinkage, which rarely reaches 5%. If this happens, then most likely you are using low-quality materials. Be prepared for the fact that a mass break may even occur. Each master selects for himself the best option, taking into account his needs. If the degree of expansion is in the first place for you, then Macroflex, Moment, GoldGan, Macrosil products are suitable.

Detailed description of the sealant

Interesting! This type of sealant in the construction industry began to be used recently, but despite this, it quickly replaced its competitors.

The advantages of polyurethane foam include:

easy application;
affordability;
durability.

If you have to choose a sealant, then, in addition to how long the Macroflex mounting foam dries, you should be interested in the following parameters:

How does hardening occur, how long can it last?

Indicator	Din	Mounting KS	Pistol NBS
Material fire resistance class	4102	AT 3	AT 3
Thermal conductivity	52612	0.035 W/(mºС)
Tensile Strength	53455	140 kPa	65 kPa
Elongation at break	53455	13%	17%
Shear strength	53422	90 kPa	40 kPa
Compressive stress at 10% strain	ISO 844		25 kPa
Foaming: When the surface is wet No moisture
Hygroscopicity	53428	0,3%	0,3%
Temperature stability	for a long time	from -40ºС to +90ºС from -40ºС to +130ºС	from -40ºС to +90ºС from -40ºС to +130ºС
Processing temperature		from -10ºС to +35ºС
Loss of stickiness (with a strip thickness of 30 mm)		In 10 minutes	In 10 minutes
Cutting (with a strip thickness of 30 mm)		After 60 min	After 45 minutes
	After 24 hours	After 24 hours
Foam output 750 ml		42 l	45 l
Raw Material Density		25 - 33 kg/m³	15 - 25 kg/m³
Shelf life			12 months from date of manufacture
Warehouse storage conditions			in a cool dry place in a horizontal position

Do not forget about precautions, this will avoid unpleasant consequences.

There are a number of factors that affect how much foam dries. Polymerization, or in simple terms, the hardening time of the foam, is completely dependent on moisture. Water catalyzes this process, as a result of which a certain pattern is obtained: the more the material gets wet, the faster it hardens.

Polyurethane foam is valued primarily for its ability to expand after application to the surface. Moreover, the volume of this material increases several times.

Conventional household sealants increase in volume up to 60%. High quality professional formulations have a coefficient of more than 250%.

Foam for household (with applicator) and professional use

The same composition has a different expansion coefficient under the influence of different conditions.

These conditions include:

Temperature indicator;
Application method;
The level of air humidity;
The rate at which a substance exits a container.

Although manufacturers put volume information on the label (final volume after expansion), do not rely too much on this data.

The expansion of the substance occurs when the sealant leaves the cylinder and solidifies.

Conventionally, this process is divided into two stages:

Primary expansion - occurs when the material is applied.
Secondary expansion - carried out until the conversion time is completed. For quality materials at this stage, the expansion coefficient is 30%, which is taken into account during operation. More often enough to fill the space by a third. As a result, the material after expansion will fill the gap completely.

Using foam when installing doors

Features of polyurethane material

Polyurethane foam is widely used in construction. Due to the expansion of the material, the voids are filled and the surfaces are glued together.

Use extends to:

Installation of window and door structures;
Sealing of elements of communication systems;
Insulation of premises;
Filling hidden voids and defects on different surfaces, etc.

Foam is vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the application of the material is carried out at the stage of roughing. Subsequently, the gaps are closed with finishing materials.

In addition to the coefficient of expansion, there are other parameters that are paid attention to when choosing a material.

Main characteristics:

Structure - a quality product is characterized by small cells and a large number of closed pores on the surface;
The final volume is the volume of the foam after the completion of its drying time. Some sealants with a 0.75 liter can can provide up to 60 liters of final volume;
Adhesion ability - the property of a sealant to provide good adhesion to the surfaces to which it is applied. The exception is Teflon, cellophane, polyethylene - they do not lend themselves to good gluing with foam;
The device of the cylinder - high-quality containers are equipped with a reliable valve, the material must move slowly during the movement of the cylinder.

The result of applying different sealants

Material polymerization principle

What else can you learn about mounting foam:

How long it will take to use the doors after they are installed depends on many factors, primarily on the means used to provide sealing at the junction of the door frame with the wall. Also, the rate of polymer hardening is affected by the state of the environment: temperature and humidity. The quality of the sealant is determined by its coefficient of expansion and adhesion, which is characterized by the adhesion forces of the foam to the surface.

Expansion factor

Polyurethane foam is valued for its ability to expand rapidly. Household types of this sealant can increase in volume by 60% of the original state. Professional foam has a higher expansion coefficient and doubles or even triples its original appearance. The expansion coefficient may vary depending on the humidity and temperature of the environment in which the polymer is used, on the rate of withdrawal of the agent from the can, and on the method by which the foam is applied to the surface.
The polymer belongs to a dielectric building material, it is not afraid of either mold or fungus. The only damage to already hardened foam during operation can be ultraviolet radiation. If the sealant is used for outdoor work, it is recommended to cover it with finishing materials. Porosity is another important quality of the composition. The smaller the pores, the stronger the connection and the lower the consumption of the composition.
The volume of already frozen foam is also indicated on the cylinders. Manufacturers inform about these parameters, taking into account normal conditions for use: positive temperature conditions and high humidity conditions. Foam, even of the highest quality, can shrink by half in a cold atmosphere.

Adhesion

An important characteristic of the sealant is adhesion, which means the ability to bond the composition to the surface. For a quality material, this unit of measurement should be high in relation to any building materials. Connection problems occur when you need to fix polyethylene or cellophane, or teflon.

The quality of the connecting material depends on the packaging. Good containers have durable and reliable valves that prevent the atmosphere from entering the cylinder and the excessive release of compressed gas from it.
A good quality can has more weight and, if turned upside down, you should feel how the contents move quietly and slowly in it.

How long does the foam dry

The hermetic agent is a rather complex building material. Characteristics and quality are ambiguous and depend on many things. The foam passes into a frozen state under the influence of its own data and the conditions of the environment in which it is used. The polymerization process depends, to a greater extent, on water. The higher the humidity, the faster the product hardens and the degree of adhesion increases. Professionals recommend wetting the surfaces of cracks and openings with water before starting to seal them.

If the humidity is high, then a five-centimeter layer of prepolymer will dry for about 3 hours. Then he gains the desired hardness for another 6-9 hours. At negative temperatures, this process stretches up to a day. Builders with experience do not recommend rushing to finish the already foamed holes and crevices. The sealant must be given time for maximum solidification in order to gain strength: in summer - a day, in winter - a day and a half. In order for the material to harden faster, it must be moistened periodically. The main thing is to remember that the polymer does not tolerate solar radiation.

Sealant selection and market analysis

The use of high-quality and reliable building materials is the key to a successful repair. In order to seal cracks, holes, seams at a professional level, a product must be selected with high operational and technical data.

In the construction markets you can find a large number of different mounting foam. Experts recommend paying attention to the following brands of products:

"Moment Montage". A well-known brand, with well-deserved popularity, is sold in all construction stores. Differs in density of a homogeneous consistence, high adhesion almost to any materials. It can be used both indoors and outdoors. Minus - secondary growth, as a result of which, with a large amount of foam used, the sealed seams may be deformed.
Makroflex. One of the best brands. Can be used for both winter and summer. The foam has a uniform structure, perfectly adheres to any surfaces, secondary growth is minimal. The disadvantages include market defects in cylinders that do not work for long. Then either only gas comes out of them, or just a sealant.
Soudal. Not a very well-known company that produces quality products. The market offers options for polymers for work in winter and for summer work. Winter species are suitable even at 20-degree frosts. All products have good adhesion, little overgrowth, little shrinkage. Foam also reacts poorly to the sun.
Penosil. High-quality hermetic means of a dense consistence. The secondary expansion is almost absent, it is distinguished by large exit sizes. Effective for indoor use, not suitable for outdoor use. Temperatures below minus 4 and above plus 35 completely discredit him.
"Titan 02". The most famous brand of professional polyurethane foam. It has a relatively low cost, has excellent performance properties, a high degree of adhesion, and a dense consistency. Suitable for use in various conditions.

Conclusion

There is no perfect hermetic agent. Every professional knows that any material is characterized by both positive and negative properties. In order for the result of the work performed to be desirable, you need to carefully select the product and use it in accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer.

What is the expansion coefficient of a sealant

The maximum possible foam output is always indicated on the cylinders, however, such results can only be achieved under ideal conditions, therefore you should not trust the manufacturers' statements 100%.

How to find a quality composition - look at the volume, adhesion and packaging

How long the mounting foam dries - the exact polymerization time

Which sealant to choose - an analysis of the modern market

Among all brands of polyurethane foam on the market, we recommend paying attention to the following:

1. Moment Mounting. A justifiably popular brand, presented in almost every hardware store. Differs in uniform density, good adhesion practically to all materials, it can be used at external and internal repair work. The disadvantage of the brand is a strong secondary expansion, as a result of which the use of a large amount of foam can lead to deformation of the sealed joints.
2. Makroflex. One of the famous brands. It can be used for work at any time of the year, it adheres well to different surfaces, has a homogeneous structure and is characterized by minimal secondary expansion parameters. The disadvantages include the presence of frank marriage in the market. Cylinders are usually defective, which, after a short operation, begin to produce either one gas or one sealant.
3. soudal. A less well-known brand under which high-quality sealants are produced. There are foams on the market for work in summer and winter. The winter version can be used even at a temperature of minus 20 degrees. All products under this brand are distinguished by good adhesion, slight secondary expansion and minimal shrinkage. Foams do not tolerate the sun's rays.
4. Penosil. High-quality sealant with a uniform and dense structure. It has almost no secondary expansion and has good output volumes. Especially effective for indoor work. Not suitable for outdoor work. At temperatures below -4 and above +35 it can not be used.
5. TitanO2. It is considered the most popular brand of professional sealants. At a low price, it has excellent performance, good adhesion and a dense structure. Can be used in different conditions.

Construction without polyurethane foam is impossible. Its dense composition will make any surface airtight, provide sound and thermal insulation in all hard-to-reach places. However, many are interested in how long the polyurethane foam hardens. To find out, you need to carefully study the properties of the product, technical specifications, list the main types of mounting foam.

Properties and types

Polyurethane foam is a one-component polyurethane sealant. Its popularity is enormous: without it, the process of installing doors and windows is noticeably more complicated, it becomes impossible to carry out professional work directly related to repairs. The use of such a sealant does not require the purchase of secondary tools for work. Liquid material enters all the necessary cavities, after a certain amount of time it dries completely. Supply of polyurethane foam always occurs in the form of cylinders containing liquid prepolymer and propellant gas.

When the contents of the cylinders are released, the polymers react. For their release, the humidity of the air and the sealed bases is responsible.

Technical specifications

To find out how long it takes for the complete drying of the mounting foam, about the characteristics:

Primary expansion is a property in which the volume of foam applied to the surface increases. Due to this property, the material occupies the space completely and securely fixes it.
Consider a secondary extension. Since the foam must increase or decrease in volume, this characteristic is negative. As a rule, this happens due to improper use (the temperature regime is exceeded, the base is not cleaned, a mechanical effect is made).
The time for setting the mounting foam varies. The top layer dries in just 20 minutes, full setting occurs in a day. At the same time, excess material can be cut off after 4 hours from the moment of application.

As practice shows, polyurethane foam perfectly adheres to structures made of wood, concrete, metal, plastic, stone and glass. Silicone and polyethylene are incompatible with polyurethane foam.
An indicator of temperature stability is important (the ability to withstand certain temperature changes). For example, Macroflex foam can withstand temperatures ranging from -55 to +90 degrees. Note that its flammability is completely reduced to zero - the foam does not undergo combustion.
The foam material provides for interaction with chemicals, exposure to ultraviolet rays leads to darkening and destruction of its base. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a protective layer (any paint or primer).

Expansion factor

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 mounting foam. The professional variety has a more pronounced coefficient (two or three times). The increase in material depends on the conditions of its use.

Polymer expansion depends on temperature, air humidity, the rate of exit of the foam composition from the cylinder, as well as from surface treatment before direct application. Usually, information about the maximum possible output is contained on the cylinders themselves, but it is not recommended to fully trust the declared indicator.

Often, manufacturers deliberately embellish the capabilities of their product: they proceed from the calculation of the ideal conditions for applying foam.

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 receives its final volume already at the initial stage. On the second, as a rule, there is an expansion of up to 30%. Therefore, we advise you not to neglect the second stage.

It is important to remember that polyurethane foam involves not only 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 goes beyond this level, this is evidence of poor quality. Excessive shrinkage leads to polymer tearing, and this often causes new problems in construction.

Kinds

In specialized stores there are professional and household varieties of mounting foam:

Professional foam requires the presence of a special gun for application (the cylinder contains the necessary valve). At the same time, the gun has a decent price, usually 10 times the cost of the foam itself, because it is designed for reusable operation.
Household sealant applied without auxiliary tools. For application, you need a small plastic tube that comes with the bottle.

According to the temperature threshold, it is divided into summer, winter, all-season:

A variety for the summer season is applied at temperatures from +50 to +350 degrees. In such temperature conditions, it freezes.
Winter foam - from -180 to +350 degrees. The amount of applied composition directly depends on the decrease in temperature.
Universal for all seasons, the variety has the combined characteristics of both of the above options. This is an excellent interaction with the cold, a huge release and a quick hardening.

Scope of application

Listed below are some types of work where the use of mounting foam is necessary:

filling voids and cracks in rooms where there is no heating, as well as on the roof;
elimination of gaps between doors;
fixation without fixing tools;
fixing thermal insulation on walls;
sound insulation;
application in the field of repair of premises;
sealing holes on the surfaces of boats, rafts.

Mounting foam allows sealing joints and gaps up to 80 mm wide inclusive (larger gaps must first be 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 the operation and application of foam:

It should be sprinkled with water on the surface for better adhesion (before and after application).
It is necessary to shake the cylinder before starting work, holding it upside down.
Filling of any gap should not be carried out completely (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.