Temperature and other nuances of using winter polyurethane foam for windows

Polyurethane foam is a universal material for sealing joints, holes and connecting seams. It interacts well with any mineral surfaces, after application it increases in size, sealing the seam. After expansion, it forms a porous material with high thermal and sound insulation characteristics. Moreover, if the foam has not been cut, there are no open pores into which moisture could enter, which could destroy the material during further interaction. In order to achieve a high-quality result when carrying out work, it is necessary to follow the technology, as well as carry out installation under appropriate microclimate conditions. Let's take a closer look at the temperature at which polyurethane foam works, and what needs to be done to ensure high-quality overlap of seams and holes.

Manufacturers

The presence of a large number of manufacturers contributes to the appearance on the market of an abundance of polyurethane foams with different characteristics.
For example, DF foam (article DF1201) is classified as flammable with a fire resistance rating of 150 minutes. It is pink in color and packaged in a 0.740 liter bottle. When released, it forms about 25 liters of foam. Unlike DF foam CP 620. This material is thermally expanding, two-component. Foam yield is 1.9 liters. Used in hard-to-reach places and where it is necessary to create reliable insulation from smoke, steam and water. Used for insulating cables.

NULLifire is a professional foam with a red tint, it has the highest fire resistance class B1. The period from exposure to open flame to ignition is 4 hours. Formed on modified polyurethane and non-flammable gas.

It is used in the installation of chimneys, pipes and cables, and fire doors. Excellent adhesion to any surface. The yield of the mixture is about 42 liters.

Hilti 660 two-component foam is used in a variety of applications. It is universal, capable of protecting any penetrations from fire and smoke. Fire resistance lasts for three hours. The thermo-expanding mass is red in color and is supplied in 325 ml cartridges. The material yield is 2.1 liters.

Rush Firestop Flex 65 is a moderately flammable, one-component foam. It is distinguished by the uniform release of the mixture from the cylinder and the high thermal insulation properties of the seams.

The scope of application of this composition is translucent structures. Used for sealing building structures. Low adhesion to fluoroplastic, polyethylene and propylene. High adhesion to brick, stone, concrete, wood.

Estonian Penosil foam is designed for sealing and insulating joints of fire-resistant structures. The product is suitable for sealing tiled roofs. The material remains sealed when heated for three hours. Recommended for installation of fire-resistant doors.

NULLifire FF197 is a one-component mixture of flammability class B1. Used for insulating, sealing, filling and insulating joints and seams of fire-hazardous structures. Suitable for surfaces made of artificial materials, including foam, cable sheaths, plastic. Excellent adhesion to stone, concrete, metal, brick, wood.

Profflex company is a Russian manufacturer. Polyurethane foam of the same name is intended for both household and professional use. The material is all-season, can be applied at sub-zero temperatures (down to -15 degrees).

Remontix is ​​a fire-resistant material with a flammability limit of 240 minutes. Hardens in 10 minutes, completely polymerizes after application within 24 hours. Requires treatment, as it is afraid of ultraviolet radiation. The output at a temperature of +23 degrees can reach 65 liters.

What to look for when buying a foam canister

There are a number of parameters that are indicated on the cylinder.

• Extension degree. The degree of expansion has two indicators - primary, when leaving the cylinder and secondary, after complete hardening. The density of the material affects its expansion. If a tight joint is required and the foam density is not high, a low secondary expansion coefficient should be selected.

• Foam viscosity, adhesion, shrinkage. Foam viscosity, adhesion, and shrinkage are also indicated on the cylinders. If these indicators are clear enough, then the numbers from 50 and above stamped on the cylinder can make you think. These numbers indicate the number of liters of material output. It should be borne in mind that this indicator largely depends on external influences. Usually the actual output is less than what is indicated on the cylinder.

• Time for pruning and complete crystallization. In addition, two time parameters are indicated - the time of trimming and complete crystallization. This parameter will help you correctly distribute the necessary work throughout the day.

• Cylinder weight. When purchasing, take a can of foam in your hands. The actual weight of the cylinder should be slightly greater than that indicated on the label. If this is not felt, it means that the polyurethane in the cylinder is less than specified.

• Dents on the cylinder. Also, the cylinder should not have dents or damage. This indicates improper storage, which can also lead to poor quality of the product.

Winter polyurethane foam - at what temperature does polyurethane foam freeze? — 2 answers



Winter polyurethane foam

In the Construction and Repair section, the question is answered at what temperature does polyurethane foam freeze? asked by the author Fleur the best answer is there are two types of foam: summer and winter. Summer foam is intended for above-zero temperatures. Winter foam can be used at air temperatures above -10, in extreme cases -15. Foam polymerizes by absorbing moisture from the air, so it is recommended to wet the surfaces before foaming. At sub-zero temperatures it cannot be wetted. But even if the foam is winter, it may not polymerize, even if the work was carried out within the temperature range indicated on the cylinder. And there are two types of non-polymerization of foam: this is frozen foam, when it will not retain heat and needs to be re-foamed, and preserved foam, this is when the foam, during frost, has entered a state of preservation before the onset of heat and, when warming, continues the polymerization process. Therefore, the conclusion: you should try to work with foam at an air temperature not lower than -10 degrees, while heating the container with foam as much as possible (place it in a bowl of hot water for a while), before foaming you need to shake the container thoroughly, and everything will work out, it should not freeze .Evgeniy Sinyatkin-Novosibirsk Thinker (8641)Thank you!

2 answers

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: at what temperature does polyurethane foam freeze?

Reply from Interstellar I took the all-season one today, and nothing works

Answer from „Uslan Averchenko“ I’m working, I need to foam the seams between concrete slabs, the temperature outside (from -4 to -7) no more, no less, the penalty is winter foam, BUT the problem is barely getting out, I’m suffering very much, I’m warming up the balloons prematurely, tell me, maybe the balloon is mono to insulate, it’s clear that the balloon freezes and the foam stops first expanding and then completely refusing to come out! PS The balloon is not empty, the penalty is upside down as it should be)) It doesn’t look like a marriage! what to do so as not to suffer? Changing the brand of foam will not cost you more than they give you.

Answer from Saint: there is summer foam up to 0 degrees, there is winter foam up to -10 degrees... windows cannot be installed at -30 =)

Answer from Ksyushik Savateeva Mounting foam standard 750 ml - It is recommended to use at an air temperature of at least +5 degrees. The surface of the foam dries in 10-20 minutes. Completely hardens within 24 hours. Thermal resistance of hardened foam is from -55 to +100 degrees. Mounting foam standard. winter 750ml - It is recommended to use at an air temperature of at least -10 degrees. The surface of the foam dries in 10-20 minutes. Completely hardens within 24 hours. Thermal resistance of hardened foam is from -55 to +100 degrees.

Answer from Valery Working temperature of frost-resistant polyurethane foam - 10. The decision about whether installation can or cannot be carried out is made on the spot together with the window installer. An experienced installer keeps the window opening open for no more than half an hour. But whether he has this time or not, you decide , depending on the type and purpose of the room.

Answer from Just a Grandfather In general, it should be written on the can at what temperature this foam can be used.

Answer from Kamil Volzhsky When it freezes, such tests are not carried out. They are tested for strength, moisture absorption, presence of free pores, foaming time and tack time. What I mean is that I don’t know about this out of nowhere, I’m an expert. Requirements for the use of foam - application temperature from +15 to +45 degrees.

Answer from Natulya: Very low, because the installers will freeze! And as for the foam, there are frost-resistant ones - for low temperatures!!

2 answers

Hello! Here are more topics with the answers you need:

Safety at work

It is very important to take precautions:

1. Use protective clothing. Polyurethane foam that gets onto any surface sticks very firmly. If the material gets on your clothes, they will be hopelessly damaged. To avoid this, protective clothing must be worn. In addition, polyurethane has irritating properties for the skin. It is necessary to use gloves and respirators to prevent unpleasant consequences.
2. Protect adjacent surfaces from accidental penetration of foam. To protect yourself, take care of your free time. It is worth covering the free surfaces with film or masking tape so as not to waste time scrubbing the surfaces. Remember that polyurethane foam sticks very quickly and is difficult to clean. You should purchase a special solvent in advance.
3. Properly dispose of empty cylinders. Empty cylinders are disposed of exclusively at appropriate collection points. It is strictly forbidden to throw into fire, throw away with household waste, or disassemble cylinders.

Rules for working with polyurethane foams

To avoid common mistakes when performing installation work or sealing seams, professionals recommend adhering to the following recommendations:

• Before work, surfaces are cleaned of dust, dirt and degreased. This way it is possible to achieve sufficient adhesion.
• For household polyurethane foams, the yield is 30-45 liters, so you need to fill the seam to 30% of its volume. After expansion, the foam will fill the entire volume of space, and the amount of protruding material will be insignificant. Correct dosing will optimize material consumption and reduce the risk of contamination of adjacent surfaces.
• Winter foam has a low yield, but is characterized by a high coefficient of secondary expansion. This is explained by the rapidity of formation of the primary surface film during the long completion of complete polymerization.
• When working, keep the can upside down. Otherwise, aerosol gases will come out first, and the liquid components will remain inside the container.

• To speed up polymerization, it is recommended to spray the surface with water. For the same reason, do not wipe off splashes of foam that fall on adjacent surfaces with a damp cloth. To remove contaminants, use special removers or acetone.
• When working with winter foam, before use, keep the container at room temperature so that it warms up to 20-24 °C.
• When installing wooden door frames, compounds with small secondary expansion are used. Strong expansion will deform the box. In any case, you will have to use spacers and gaskets.
• Materials with low secondary expansion are denser and, accordingly, have high waterproofing properties. Such qualities are typical for expensive professional polyurethane foams.

Application temperature

External influence of heat or cold also significantly influences the choice of material, so all foam is divided into three types

1. Summer foam. The most inexpensive is summer foam; it is used at temperatures from +5 °C to +35 °C.

2. Winter foam. The winter version is more resistant to cold. Can be used at temperatures down to -18 °C.

3. All-season foam. The most expensive, but also the most stable type is all-season foam. It can be used at temperatures ranging from -10 °C to +30 °C.

Terms of use

Experts recommend following several rules when working with polyurethane foam.

• Since it is not easy to remove polyurethane foam from the skin, you should first equip yourself with work gloves.
• In order for the composition to mix, shake it thoroughly for 30–60 seconds. Otherwise, a resinous composition will come out of the cylinder.
• To speed up adhesion, the workpiece is moistened. Then you can proceed directly to applying the foam. The cylinder must be held with the bottom up to displace the polyurethane foam from the cylinder. If this is not done, the gas will be squeezed out without foam.
• Foaming is carried out in cracks whose width is no more than 5 cm, and if it is larger, then polystyrene is used. It saves foam and prevents expansion, which most often leads to structural failure.

• Foam from the bottom up with uniform movements, filling a third of the gap, because the foam hardens with expansion and fills it. When carrying out work at low temperatures, you can only work with foam heated in warm water up to +40ºС.
• For quick setting, it is necessary to spray the surface with water. Spraying at sub-zero temperatures is prohibited, as this will make it impossible to obtain the desired effect.
• If polyurethane foam accidentally gets on doors, windows, or floors, you must remove it with a solvent and a rag, and then wash the surface. Otherwise, the composition will harden and it will be very difficult to remove it without damaging the surface.
• 30 minutes after using the mounting compound, you can cut off the excess and plaster the surface. To do this, it is very convenient to use a hacksaw or a knife for construction needs. The foam begins to fully set after 8 hours.

Professionals recommend that you carefully read the safety precautions before working with polyurethane foam.

• The sealant may cause irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Therefore, it is recommended that the worker use safety glasses, gloves and a respirator in case of poor ventilation. After hardening, the foam does not harm human health.
• To avoid purchasing counterfeits, you should use some recommendations: ask the store for a product certificate; examine the quality of the label. Since they try to produce counterfeits at minimal cost, printing is not given much importance. On such cylinders, label defects are visible to the naked eye: displacement of colors, inscriptions, other storage conditions; date of manufacture. Expired material loses all its basic qualities.

What characteristics are taken into account in the work

Professionals use large volumes of mounting sealant in their work, so spray gun cans for professional work allow you to accurately dose the foam output onto the work surface. This is how they differ from conventional cans with a polyethylene tube for household use.

Professional packaging

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 intact bubbles in the foam, the degree of adhesion to the surface, accelerators or retarders of the polymerization reaction. Their combinations radically affect the properties of the foam, among which the following are important:

• output volume;
• primary and secondary expansion;
• density and porosity;
• fire resistance;
• moisture resistance;
• drying rate, initial formation of surface film;
• operating temperature range.

The quality of polyurethane 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 hardening.

Homogeneous structure is a sign of quality

‍♂️ No less important information on the topic: Production of polyurethane foam

How to choose polyurethane foam for interior and exterior work

Quality products meet the following requirements:

• cylinder weight – 850-920 grams (for 750 ml);
• high viscosity;
• low secondary expansion;
• high density after hardening.

The problem of choice is that the technical characteristics remain on paper - in reality, the quality often leaves much to be desired. On store shelves you will find at least several mounting foams that do not meet the standards. It happens that the composition uses gases that destroy the ozone layer. The actual cylinder weight may not correspond to the stated net weight. Sellers are not shy about selling expired products.

The main criterion for the quality of polyurethane foam when performing work is its reputation in the market. It is difficult for an uninformed buyer to make the right choice. This is where the experience of others comes to the rescue. Today, the sealant market is represented by dozens of foreign and domestic companies. Moment, Macroflex, Tytan, Well, Penosil, Soudal, Dr.Shenk - this is just the tip of the iceberg. So which polyurethane foam is better? Two companies are most popular among consumers: Soudal and Penosil.

Soudal

Soudal is a large company engaged in the production of sealants. It has been operating on the market for about 50 years. The production of polyurethane foams is the core activity of the company. Soudal produces all types of foams, and the products are characterized by low secondary expansion and good viscosity.

The large output volume (65 l) allows Soudal to be used for heat and sound insulation of bathtubs and attic insulation. It is waterproof, dense and has no unpleasant odors. The average cost of professional mounting foam of the Soudal brand is 300 rubles, with an average market cost of 250 rubles (750 ml).

Penosil

Penosil is based in Estonia. This is the youngest company producing polyurethane foams; it has been on the market for 18 years. It produces sealants, adhesives, cleaners and building materials. Like Soudal, Penosil produces its products for all types of work: winter, summer, all-season, professional, household and fire-resistant. It has good adhesion and is suitable for installing PVC windows, joints between tiles and bathtubs, and sealing cracks. The difference lies in the cost of the products - the price for the Standard line is lower. The average cost of professional Penosil foam is 285 rubles (750 ml).

Moment

Moment brand foam is in high demand among domestic manufacturers. Sold in a 750 ml aerosol and intended for installing sound and heat insulating materials, PVC windows, doors, sealing gaps and cracks.

Compared to Soudal and Penosil, Moment has more modest characteristics. The maximum output volume for this brand is 45 liters, while for Soudal and Penosil it reaches 65 liters. The polyurethane density of Moment foam (750 ml) is no more than 28 kg/m³ versus 35 from Soudal.

Application area

In construction, polyurethane foam is used to perform the following actions:

• Sealing and sealing cracks and joints of structures;
• Insulation and sound insulation;
• Sealing of pipe passage holes in building elements;
• Installation of building parts (window sills).
• The main area of ​​application is the installation of door and window blocks, where it is used to fill the gaps between the frame and the wall;

Use when installing a door

Features and Properties

Polyurethane foam is a substance produced in aerosol packaging. It contains a liquid prepolymer, which is displaced from the cylinder by a mixture of gases. Thanks to this composition, the polyurethane foam, displaced from the container, foams and expands when exposed to moisture. Then, during the polymerization process, the product completely hardens. The result is a fairly strong substance - polyurethane foam, which fills all the necessary cavities, seams and hard-to-reach joints. Using one cylinder, you can perform a fairly large amount of work, which is facilitated by the significant expansion coefficient of the substance.

During cold spring or autumn, the use of winter types of foams is mandatory. If the air temperature drops below +5 C, then summer foams become unsuitable for installation.

The performance of the material decreases with decreasing temperature. At negative temperatures, the amount of foam is reduced to a minimum. In addition, the layer may not harden properly, the substance will not be able to reach the required consistency during application and will not form the required sealed base. This problem can be solved by winter types of sealant that provide stable operation at temperatures down to -10° C. Therefore, in winter it is necessary to use only special high-performance versions of polyurethane foam.

Winter polyurethane foam sealant differs from summer sealant mainly in the chemical composition of the propellant and propellant gas, which makes the foam much more productive. According to the main characteristics, winter types of foaming sealants have the same adhesion and insulating properties as summer ones. At above-zero air temperatures, winter sealants work just as well, so they can also be used in summer.

When using polyurethane foam, you should remember one important nuance. The hardening time of polyurethane foam sealant directly depends on the ambient temperature and increases with each decrease in degree

Experts advise not to proceed with further processing until the foam layer has completely hardened. In winter, this process takes longer than in summer. Failure to comply with the curing time of the material leads to deterioration of the properties of the polyurethane foam, as well as to disruption of the layer structure and dimensional stability.

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Average prices in the Russian Federation

Among the most popular options for polyurethane foam are the following :

1. Instant installation – from 250 to 300 rubles.
2. Makroflex - from 325 rubles.
3. Soudal - from 295 rubles.
4. Penosil - from 285 to 315 rubles.
5. Titan - from 345 rubles.

Note. It must be taken into account that the cost is determined not only by regional characteristics, but also by markups of individual stores.

Conditions for use and storage of polyurethane foam

The storage conditions for polyurethane foam and its use are quite clearly indicated by the manufacturers. Thus, the use of this material requires a certain, moderate air humidity and a temperature range above zero, optimally from +5 ˚C to + 30˚C.

Even if the packaging indicates that the application is designed for all-weather conditions, you must remember that unsuitable humidity and temperature are factors that can affect the adhesion of the material to the surface and the drying time. For example, at temperatures below + 5 degrees, the quality of the foam will be cellular, transparent and bubbly; when hardened, the color will be closer to brown, and the material itself will be brittle.

As previously mentioned, the final factor in foam hardening is a certain humidity. Thus, applying water to the surface of the material and the foam itself from a sprayer can accelerate the formation of polyurethane - the hardening of the foam itself. The approximate consumption is 40 ml of water per 750 ml of cylinder capacity with installation material.

It must also be remembered that a lack of moisture can affect hardening and subsequently, even after several months, lead to its expansion. And, conversely, high-quality hardened foam will subsequently be resistant to moisture, reagents, and pests, but not to ultraviolet radiation!

You've probably already seen that fresh foam looks white, beige or light yellow; under the rays of the sun it turns dark yellow and soon begins to deteriorate, crumble, violating the insulation, tightness of gaps and the durability of the built-in product (window or ventilation, for example). This means that the installed material also requires additional protection in order to last longer and perform its insulating and insulating functions for a long time.

Most often, an unprotected layer of polyurethane foam begins to deteriorate within 1-2 years, maximum four. To protect the foam layer, different methods are used - puttying (choice: frost-resistant plaster, liquid plastic or glass, putty), mounting tape (cheap, but ugly and short-lived), coating with paints and varnishes (acrylate compounds give good adhesion to this isolate) and protection other materials over foam seams.

Foam shelf life

Storing polyurethane foam has its limitations. The period may vary for each manufacturer and type. On average, the maximum shelf life ranges from 1-1.5 years. At the end of the process, the foam in the container thickens and becomes viscous, which makes it difficult to use.

When stored at sub-zero temperatures, the composition becomes more viscous, which makes it difficult to use, so before use it is better to keep the container in a warm room, warm it up by placing it, for example, in warm(!) water and shake it periodically. Heating at high temperatures is absolutely excluded - this can increase the pressure of the gas displacing the foam and lead to rupture of the packaging.

The expiration date is usually indicated from the production date; it can be found on the bottom of the container.

How long can the material be stored in a cylinder?

Polyurethane foam is a chemical substance, and even in a cylinder, immediately after release, polymerization processes begin to occur in it, viscosity appears, and properties are gradually lost.

High-quality raw materials do not lose their properties even after the specified period, but the manufacturer no longer gives a guarantee for this, so it is better to use freshly purchased material that will have all the properties that it should have.

Since the very qualities of this material are based on an active chemical reaction, choose the product carefully - read the instructions before purchasing, check the conditions of use, the date of manufacture. All this will ultimately affect the result of the work performed.

Mechanism of formation of polyurethane foam

Foamed polyurethane in cross-section
Polyurethane is a compound of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and polyhydric alcohols (polyols). The polymer compound is formed in two phases:

• Formation of prepolymer macromolecules. It is a viscous liquid substance obtained by mixing excess MDI with polyols. It is the prepolymer that is contained in aerosol cans of single-component foam. To slow down polymerization, stabilizers (benzoyl chloride, acetyl chloride) are added to the prepolymer.
• Polymerization of a prepolymer by reaction with water, which forms cross-links between molecules, displacing carbon dioxide from them. In addition to water, other nucleophiles, such as acids, are also used as reagents. They are used in the production of two-component mounting compounds.

at what temperature can it be used, expansion, types, instructions

Use summer polyurethane foam to install interior doors (this foam is used to fill the gaps between the frame and the doorway) and windows in the warm season. It is also suitable for strengthening the shower tray, which is described in more detail in the article “How to strengthen the shower tray”. With its help, it is easy to fill excess space in holes in the wall or ceiling where pipes are laid (plumbing, sewerage, heating). This type of foam is used to fix the extensions and install the portal around the entrance doors from the side of the living room.

Winter

Winter polyurethane foam is designed for a temperature range from -20 to +30 degrees. This foam is used to fill the areas between building blocks and openings even when the heating is not working and there are no double-glazed windows in winter. The foam dries within 24 hours. Use winter foam to install windows in the cold season or metal entrance doors if the entrance is not insulated.

Universal

This type of foam maintains acceptable viscosity at temperatures from -5 to +30 degrees. Hardens within 24 hours. Suitable for use inside an apartment and for the same purposes as summer foam (sealing joints between concrete slabs in the ceiling, sealing cracks in the wall), but it will also help in the absence of windows and heating. Suitable for external work on sealing holes in walls. For example, during the installation of an air conditioner in early spring and the sealing of drilled channels for laying a freon line.

Fire resistant

Unlike conventional yellow polyurethane foam, fire-resistant foam is painted pink or red. The sealant protects against open fire and smoke penetration. Capable of delaying ignition for up to 360 minutes. Fire-fighting foam is used where fire-resistant barriers are created (dividing buildings into zones in offices, shopping centers, hospitals, schools, etc.). In an apartment, it is suitable for installing individual heating and sealing the opening around the horizontal chimney facing the street from the boiler.

So, all types are used for sealing openings and sealing cracks, so when choosing polyurethane foam, be guided by the ambient temperature during renovations in the apartment. Remember that polyurethane sealant dries out from direct exposure to sunlight, so after hardening it must be covered with plaster or additional coverings.

Expansion coefficient of polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam expands, which allows it to be compacted at the point of application and provides economical consumption. Primary or primary expansion is a positive property of foam. The indicator varies from 20 to 65 liters. For example, the universal foam Ceresit Ts-62 from a 0.75 l cylinder expands to 42 l, and the summer foam Tytan 65 (0.75 l) expands to 65 l. The action occurs immediately, so you can immediately see by the fill rate whether additional application is needed or not.

Secondary foam expansion is a negative factor. Occurs over time and is not controlled. Such an increase in volume can lead to deformation of structures (the door frame may bend inward and the leaf of the leaf will begin to wedge). High-quality polyurethane sealants (for example, Ceresit Ts-62 or Tytan 65) do not have secondary expansion.

Instructions for using polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam can be professional or household. The first is applied from a gun and is suitable for reusable use (the valve closes the outlet from the container, and the sealant does not harden in it). You can work with this foam for a week. Household foam without a gun comes complete with a tube and must be used immediately, otherwise the sealant will dry out.

Brief instructions on using polyurethane foam for beginners:

1. Shake the can for 3 minutes to mix the polyurethane and filler gases.
2. Turn over and install the gun by turning the bottle neck clockwise.
3. Use a brush to sweep away debris from the crack or opening you will be filling.
4. Wet the area to be applied with water from a plastic spray bottle.
5. Bring the nose of the gun close to the slot and pull the trigger.
6. Fill the space from bottom to top.

When using polyurethane foam for the first time, apply the material so that it fills the crack or seam between the boards halfway. Monitor the degree of expansion for a minute and then add foam as needed until the joint is completely closed. Polyurethane foam with a tube is used in a similar way. Hold the can with the valve facing down.

Varieties

There are several classifications of polyurethane foam based on a number of parameters. So, according to the method of application, the product is :

1. Professional. To use, you need a special dosing gun, with which the mixture is supplied from a cylinder;
2. Bytovym. No additional tools are required for use. The product is applied using the existing adapter tube.

The product is also classified by flammability class:

1. Fireproof, B1. Typically used to treat fire rated doorways/windows and to seal joints near a fire source. Non-flammability is achieved due to the presence of fire retardants in the composition.
2. Self-extinguishing, B2. Upon direct contact with fire, it melts and drips. If there is no open flame, it goes out immediately.
3. Flammable, B3. It is recommended to use only in areas where the occurrence of fire is minimized.

Note. By the appearance of the cylinder, you can determine what type of sealant it is: non-flammable options have a pink tint, flammable ones are white or yellow.

Also, winter polyurethane foam can be divided into types according to composition :

1. 
   One-component .
   In manufacturing, polyurethane is used as the main component. The key feature of this type is secondary expansion.

   Therefore, when sealing seams, the product must be applied only to a third of the space, otherwise there is a risk of surface deformation.

   It is considered the simplest and most convenient to use.

2. Two-component .
   One of the key disadvantages of the one-component option is the relatively short shelf life - up to 12 months. The reason is that the two components that cause the foam to harden are contained in one container. The two-component foam container is separated at the base by a special seal, which prevents the interaction of these substances. The limiter is removed immediately before use.

In addition to a longer shelf life, two-component foam hardens faster, has no secondary expansion and has higher quality characteristics.

Examples of manufacturers

Among the world's manufacturers we can highlight:

1. Soudal (Belgium). It is considered a leader in the production of sealants. On the market for over 50 years.
2. Penosil (Estonia). Despite the relatively young age of the company (30 years), it already produces more than 10% of the foam on the European markets.
3. Dr. Schenk (Germany). The company has existed for more than 80 years and is constantly working on quality. As an indicator of results, the company became the owner of the ISO 9001:2008 certificate.

It is also worth noting the Russian manufacturer Profflex. An enterprise from Tula that produces exclusively polyurethane foam. The quality corresponds to the products of world leaders.

Types and technical characteristics

To obtain a reliable, tight seam, you need to take into account not only the temperature, but also humidity, the position of the work area, the width of the voids, and the volume of work. In order for the building material to cope with each task, there are different types with certain fillers. Depending on the volume of work, foam can be:

• Household. Available in small volume cylinders with a dispenser tube. Suitable for small repair areas, does not require additional equipment.
• Professional. Has article number PRO and is designed for large installation volumes. To use it you need a special gun.

According to seasonal use:

• Winter. Designed for outdoor construction work at temperatures from -5˚C, high humidity. They have permissible lower temperature limits of use down to -60˚С.
• Summer. Use indoors or for external installation is allowed in the temperature range from +5 to +35˚С, humidity not more than 80%.
• All-season. The most versatile for outdoor work in rapidly changing weather conditions. Permissible operating temperature is from -10˚С to +35˚С, relative humidity 75%.

By chemical composition:

• Two-component. The cylinder is divided into two cavities: one contains the main composition, the other contains the polymerizing reagent. Under pressure, both components are squeezed out and mixed directly in the tube. Opened packaging cannot be stored, therefore it is produced in a volume of no more than 220 ml.
• One-component. It costs less and has a shorter shelf life. The curing reaction occurs due to moisture and begins to take place already in the cylinder. Has a higher degree of expansion. After opening the package it can be used repeatedly.

According to the degree of fire resistance:

• Category B I – non-flammable composition.
• Category B II – self-extinguishing when burning.
• Category B III – flammable.

Frost-resistant mounting foam for external use has the following technical approvals:

• Operating temperature: from -10 to +35˚С. Some materials remain functional at -30˚C.
• Expansion coefficient of working mass volume: usually this figure is 1/100. That is, from 100 ml. You can get 10 liters of material in a cylinder. foam at the exit.
• Porosity from 50 to 85%. The higher the porosity, the better the thermal insulation.
• Adhesive properties. Polyurethane foam materials have high adhesion rates to stone, wood, metal, and concrete. Not suitable for Teflon and plastic substrates.
• The higher the viscosity, the better the sealant holds its shape and does not flow off the base.
• Drying time. Depends on temperature and humidity. Winter foams take from 5 to 12 hours to set.
• Shrinkage should not exceed 5%.

Soudal

Professional polyurethane foam, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. It has low expansion and is suitable for thin joints where accuracy of application is especially important.

Soudal has high adhesion not only to brick or concrete, but also to metal or glazed surfaces. The tip is included, so the cylinder can be used not only with a construction gun.

Advantages:

• Size stability;
• Homogeneous texture;
• Ease of application;
• Complete protective gloves.

Flaws:

Can't be washed.

Users note in reviews that they come across defective cylinders with a poorly functioning valve.

Fire-resistant qualities are especially important when applied in rooms with high temperature conditions: baths, factories, restaurants, nightclubs and other entertainment venues. Fire retardants are added to their composition, giving non-flammable properties to the entire composition. After analyzing this market segment, 3 leaders were identified that professionals prefer to buy.

This is interesting: Heat-resistant adhesive for metal - pros and cons

Additional nuances of choosing foam

In order for the quality of the seams to be at the highest level, you need not only to follow the recommendations, but also to choose the right material. The consistency should be elastic, and after hardening it should not crumble.

If the foam composition sticks strongly to the surface, does not expand and hardens quickly, forming a thin sticky layer, this is a sign of low-quality material. In this case, it is better to buy foam from another manufacturer, because the durability of the seams, as well as their ability to retain heat in the room, depends on its quality.

The average price for high-quality non-flammable foam for window and door slopes in Kyiv starts from 95–150 hryvnia.

Winter foam - characteristics and application features

Since the expansion and polymerization of MP depend on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding atmosphere, winter foam tends to harden at low temperatures, but its expansion during the polymerization process is weaker than that of summer foam.

Output volume - this indicator determines the amount of material obtained from one cylinder. Compared to conventional foam, it can be 1.2-1.5 times less. Adhesion - determines the strength of the bond between the base and the foam. This indicator is practically no different from that of summer foams. Dwelling time is the time during which the foam completely cures. Sub-zero air temperatures and low temperatures of the building structure itself require longer exposure of the foam after application. Moreover, the lower the temperature, the longer the holding time should be.

This is important to consider as the reduced expansion of winter foam may require multiple passes to treat the seam. The next layer of foam is applied only after the previous one has completely polymerized.

• Before starting work, the cylinders must be kept in a warm room for at least half a day. Some manufacturers recommend heating the balloon in warm water at a temperature of 30-50 degrees before use. However, the most advanced manufacturers may not give such recommendations - their foams already contain substances that increase the volume of the mixture leaving the cylinder. In any case, you need to carefully study the instructions on the bottle label.
• Surfaces to be treated must be cleaned of dust, debris, snow and ice. It is allowed to lightly moisten the surfaces with water using a spray bottle (immediately before carrying out work).
• Before using the foam, the container must be shaken for 15-30 seconds - this promotes better mixing of the foam components and increases its yield.
• The work is carried out by holding the cylinder upside down. The cracks and seams must be carefully filled with foam to about 1/3 of the volume. Please note that the composition will expand during polymerization, so do not waste excess foam.
• If necessary, after the first layer of foam has hardened, subsequent ones can be applied.
• The use of winter foam in cold weather does not imply its subsequent spraying with water in order to improve adhesion (this is allowed in summer).
• Cured foam must be protected from light and sun as soon as possible, otherwise it may become porous and brittle, reducing its protective properties.

Most winter foams have a lower threshold for use of –10 degrees. But there are manufacturers who produce foams that can be used down to -25 degrees. One of these is Soudal - a product of this.

Regular winter foam of the Macroflex brand can be used at temperatures down to –10 degrees. Also an excellent winter foam, used down to –20 degrees, is Tytan Professional 65 (cylinders with this material do not need to be heated before use).

When installing windows in the autumn-winter period, as well as in early spring, it is recommended to use winter foam. These polyurethane foams have high adhesive strength and good adhesion to a number of typical materials used in construction, reports the OKNA MEDIA portal.

Freezing temperatures do not necessarily mean you need to pause construction or renovation work until spring. The use of appropriate winter foam allows work to continue, and the use of a heat shield protects the room from the harmful effects of frosty wind, snow, rain and low temperatures.

Consumption

Manufacturers usually indicate approximate consumption figures per unit area (1 sq.m.). But in practice, consumption depends on several factors :

• width of the treated surface,
• filling depth, joint thickness,
• ambient temperature and humidity,
• foam composition,
• method of application (using an applicator or gun),
• uniformity of application,
• the presence or absence of a dosing device,
• skills and level of professionalism of the performer,
• foam's ability to expand,
• trademark.

GROVER B1 professional fireproof all-season foam 750 ml. Photo by Maxidom

An important characteristic is foam performance. Cylinder with a volume of 300 ml. on average gives about 30 liters of foam, which is enough to install one door, 500 ml - 40-45 liters, it is possible to install two windows, 750 ml. — 50-55 l. will be enough to seal the cracks of two door frames. Some manufacturers provide consumption parameters for their own products. But the data provided by enterprises implies that work is performed under ideal conditions , which is extremely rare in practice.

In addition, there are calculation formulas . If the seam is rectangular, then the following formula is required - P = W x D, where:

• P—consumption, ml/1m.p of seam;
• W—seam width, mm;
• Г—seam depth, mm.

The formula for calculating foam consumption when filling triangular seams is P = 0.5 x W x D.

Some companies have online calculators on their websites; entering data (seam parameters, type and yield of foam, season of work) into which you can find out the required number of cylinders or seam length. But not a single instruction or calculation method provides an accurate result. All recommendations and directions are approximate. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase foam with a reserve.

At what temperature can foam be used?

Soft foam cleaners: PU Foam Cleaner Click (Soudal) (500 ml pack - 257 RUR). Photo: Soudal

Depending on the operating temperature range, polyurethane foams are divided into summer, winter, and all-season. For the former, the range of permissible temperatures is in the positive zone: from 5 to 30 ˚C. Winter and all-season foams are used in a wider range: from –10 °C (some from –25 °C) to 30 °C. In this case, it is worth considering the manufacturer’s advice on the temperature of the cylinder. In the cold season, with low air humidity, the course of chemical reactions slows down, the viscosity of the mixture increases, and the pressure in the cells of the foam mass decreases. For normal operation of winter foam, many manufacturers advise warming the balloon to room temperature (23 °C), keeping it in a living room for about a day or immersing it in warm water (about 30 °C). However, there are products for which the use of a cold cylinder is acceptable.

Winter foams contain components that help better absorb moisture from the environment and maintain the desired consistency at low temperatures. Winter foams can be used in cold and warm seasons without compromising their performance properties. Photo: ShutterStock/Fotodom.ru

Parameters according to GOST

Main parameters:

• The density of the substance is 25-30 kg/m³.
• Tensile strength 0.12 N/mm².
• Tensile and bending strength 12, 17 kg/cm², respectively.
• Volume stability is 7%.
• Bonding and compression force with minimum values ​​of 3 N/cm³.
• Thermal conductivity of polyurethane foam (coefficient) 0.032 W/(m*K).
• Fire resistance class B3 DIN 4102.
• Standard heat resistance – 40 + 90 °C, short-term indicator -55, +130 °C.
• Ignition temperature 400 °C.

Recommendations

• Do not thoughtlessly purchase the most advertised brand. Make sure it is exactly what you need for the specific job. Also, before purchasing, carefully check the quality - there are often situations when advertised material turns out to be of poor quality.

• Tilt the container with foam in your hand - the contents should flow smoothly. If compactions are felt there, it means that the polyurethane has already partially reacted and such foam should not be used.

• For household work, material from a non-common brand of household type is often sufficient. Buying professional foam with a gun to seal a small gap is not financially profitable.

• If there is a serious renovation or country work, where foam may be in demand in many situations, you should take care of purchasing a large volume of professional material - this will reduce costs. Don't forget the special solvent.

• It is worth taking care of additional materials in advance. These include personal protective equipment and protection of adjacent surfaces, solvents, special putties for polyurethane foam, and more.

Sources

• https://gipsohouse.ru/materials/foam/materialsfoam4473-pena-montazhnaya-vodostojkaya-dlya-germetizacii-html.html
• https://teplota.guru/gidroizolyatsiya/podhodit-li-montazhnaya-pena-dlya-gidroizolyatsionnyh-rabot.html
• https://stroyka-gid.ru/supplies/primenenie-montazhnoy-penyi.html
• https://VseProKley.ru/vannaya/kak-vybrat-montazhnuyu-penu-dlya-gidroizolyatsii
• https://odymohodah.ru/stroitelstvo-i-montazh/ogneupornaya-pena-dlya-dymohoda
• https://balashiha.berfi.ru/izolyacionnye-materialy/montazhnaya-pena/zimnyaya-montazhnaya-pena
• https://dekoriko.ru/montazhnaya-pena/zimnyaya/

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Causes of troubles with frost-resistant foam

Compliance with the conditions for using “winter” foam guarantees the quality of the insulating material. But sometimes during operation the mixture flows slowly or in limited quantities. Possible reasons:

• the cylinder is cold, which is why viscous foam sticks to its walls;
• the contents of the aerosol package are not completely and unevenly heated (the walls are heated, but the central part is not, it remains quite thick); therefore the valve becomes clogged;
• strong and rapid heating of the balloon leads to the formation of clots inside, which will block the outlet;
• foam was stored incorrectly (upside down or on its side), resulting in viscous product remaining at the base of the valve for too long;
• the valve itself turned out to be of poor quality or defective.

You can try to save the situation (if everything is in order with the valve). You need to release a little gas so that it breaks through the passage. And then shake the balloon for a long time and thoroughly.