Drying time for construction foam. How long does it take for polyurethane foam to dry and what does the drying time depend on? Characteristics of polyurethane foam

There are a number of factors that influence how long it takes to dry. polyurethane foam. Polymerization or in simple language The hardening time of the foam is completely dependent on moisture. Water catalyzes this process, resulting in a certain pattern: 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 by up to 60%. Professional compositions 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;
Method of application;
Air humidity level;
The speed at which a substance leaves a container.

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

Expansion of the substance occurs when the sealant leaves the container and hardens.

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 high-quality materials at this stage, the expansion coefficient is 30%, which is taken into account when working. More often than not, filling the space by a third is enough. As a result, the material, after expansion, will fill the gap completely.

The foam shrinks. When choosing high-quality material, you don’t have to worry that it will cause problems , since shrinkage in this case is a rare event. The coefficient is 5% and shrinkage is difficult to notice with the naked eye. If this is visible, then the polyurethane is of low quality.

Using foam when installing doors

Features of polyurethane material

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

Use applies to:

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

Foam is vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the material is applied at the roughing stage. Subsequently, the gaps close finishing materials.

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

Main characteristics:

Structure – a high-quality product is characterized by small cells and a large number of closed pores on the surface;
Final volume - the volume of foam after its drying time has completed. Some sealants with a 0.75 liter container volume can provide up to 60 liters of final volume;
Adhesiveness is the ability 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;
Cylinder design - high-quality containers are equipped with a reliable valve; the material must move slowly while the cylinder is moving.

Application result different sealants

Principle of material polymerization

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

At normal humidity, a layer of foam five centimeters thick can dry within three hours. After this, a correction is made. All protruding and sloppy parts of the sealant are cut off and plastering is performed.

Completion of polymerization occurs after 12 hours, sometimes less. The influence of frost and dry weather conditions increases the hardening time, which can last another 24 hours. Therefore, to be on the safe side, it is better to postpone further work until the sealant hardens.

What else can you learn about polyurethane 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 receive sunlight).

In contact with

Antipyretics for children are prescribed by a pediatrician. But there are emergency situations with fever when the child needs to be given medicine immediately. Then the parents take responsibility and use antipyretic drugs. What is allowed to be given to infants? How can you lower the temperature in older children? What medications are the safest?

There are a number of factors that influence how long it takes polyurethane foam to dry. Polymerization, or in simple terms, the hardening time of the foam, is completely dependent on moisture. Water catalyzes this process, resulting in a certain pattern: 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 by up to 60%. Professional compositions 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;
Method of application;
Air humidity level;
The speed at which a substance leaves a container.

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

Expansion of the substance occurs when the sealant leaves the container and hardens.

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 high-quality materials at this stage, the expansion coefficient is 30%, which is taken into account when working. More often than not, filling the space by a third is enough. 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, voids are filled and surfaces are glued together.

Use applies to:

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

Foam is vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the material is applied at the roughing stage. Subsequently, the cracks are closed with finishing materials.

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

Main characteristics:

Structure – a high-quality product is characterized by small cells and a large number of closed pores on the surface;
Final volume - the volume of foam after its drying time has completed. Some sealants with a 0.75 liter container volume can provide up to 60 liters of final volume;
Adhesiveness is the ability 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;
Cylinder design - high-quality containers are equipped with a reliable valve; the material must move slowly while the cylinder is moving.

The result of applying different sealants

Principle of material polymerization

Completion of polymerization occurs after 12 hours, sometimes less. The influence of frost and dry weather conditions increases the curing time, which can last an additional 24 hours. Therefore, to be on the safe side, it is better to postpone further work until the sealant hardens.

What else can you learn about polyurethane foam:

In contact with

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

What is the coefficient of expansion of sealant

The main value of polyurethane foam lies in its ability to expand quickly and repeatedly. Household types of sealant are capable of increasing their volume by 60% of their original state, while professional compounds, which have a significantly better expansion coefficient, 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 container, and even the method of application to the surface to be treated.

The maximum possible volume of foam output is always indicated on the cylinders, but such results can only be achieved under ideal conditions, so you should not trust the manufacturers’ statements 100%.

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

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

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

Foam for sealing cracks began to be used relatively recently, but in just a few years this material has gained enormous popularity among professional builders and home craftsmen. It is easy to work with, it has high-quality heat and sound insulation characteristics, and is also inexpensive. After applying the prepolymer, it expands greatly and fills the surrounding voids, thanks to which it can be used to secure door and window frames in walls, as well as for sealing any other cracks and openings.

The polymer is not afraid of low temperatures and precipitation, does not allow electricity, it is not harmed by mold and mildew. The only thing that can harm the performance of hardened polyurethane foam is ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, it is recommended to close the sealant when using it outdoors. facing materials. Among the most important characteristics of a 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 the cylinders you can also find such a characteristic as volume - this is an indicator after hardening. Manufacturers indicate volumes for hardening under standard conditions at positive temperatures and high ambient humidity. During the cold season, it is not possible to obtain the specified 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 bond to surfaces. A high-quality sealant must have good characteristics adhesion to any materials. Problems with adhesion can only arise if it is necessary to secure cellophane, polyethylene or Teflon.

The quality of the building material is also affected by its packaging itself - the cylinder. Good cylinders have reliable and durable valves that effectively prevent air from entering the cylinder and excessive gas escaping. By looking at the packaging, you can often easily distinguish high-quality polyurethane foam from low-quality ones. A high-quality container is heavy and when you turn it over, you can feel the contents slowly rolling around inside.

How long does polyurethane foam dry - the exact polymerization time

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

At high humidity parameters, the hardening time of a five-centimeter layer of prepolymer will be no more than three hours, but after this the polymer will continue to gain hardness over the next 6-9 hours. At sub-zero temperatures This procedure will last much longer – up to 24 hours. Construction professionals do not recommend rushing into the final finishing of foamed cracks and openings. It is best to give the sealant time to develop maximum strength. In summer - up to 24 hours for hardening, and in winter - up to 36 hours. To speed up the procedure, the material can be periodically sprayed or moistened by any other means. The main thing to remember is that the polymer is afraid of sunlight.

Which sealant to choose - analysis of the modern market

The key to successful renovation is the use of the highest quality, reliable building materials. To seal seams and cracks professionally, choose sealants that have the best technical and performance characteristics.

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

1. Moment Installation. A justifiably popular brand, presented in almost every hardware store. It is characterized by uniform density, good adhesion to almost all materials, can be used for external and internal repair work. The downside of the brand is strong secondary expansion, as a result of which the use of a large volume of foam can lead to deformation of the sealed seams.
2. Macroflex. One of the most famous brands. Can be used for work at any time of the year, adheres well to different surfaces, has a homogeneous structure and is characterized by minimal secondary expansion parameters. The disadvantages include the presence of open defects on the market. Typically, cylinders that are defective are those that, after a short period of operation, begin to produce either one gas or one sealant.
3. Soudal. A lesser-known brand that produces high-quality sealants. Foams for work in summer and winter are available on the market. Winter option can be used even at temperatures of minus 20 degrees. All products under this brand are characterized by good adhesion, slight secondary expansion and minimal shrinkage. Foams do not tolerate sunlight well.
4. Penosil. High-quality sealant with a uniform and dense structure. It has almost no secondary expansion and has good output volumes. Particularly effective for indoor work. Not suitable for outdoor use. At temperatures below -4 and above +35 it cannot be used.
5. Titan O2. Considered the most popular brand of professional sealants. At a low price, it has excellent performance characteristics, good adhesion and a dense structure. Can be used in different conditions.

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

Polyurethane foam belongs to the group of sealing agents that cannot be avoided 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 come across the question “How long does it take for polyurethane foam to dry,” but it turns out that it is not asked quite correctly. The fact is that the secret of turning a prepolymer into strong polyurethane foam lies in the degree of its wetting.

Expansion coefficient

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 as much as 300%.

Attention! Identical types of material can behave very differently, and this is determined by environmental conditions. It's about about the air temperature, its humidity, type of application, speed of release of the foam composition from the container. Manufacturers always indicate overestimated output volume indicators, but you should not be guided by them alone.

Before we figure out how long polyurethane foam takes to dry, let’s consider its types. It can be primary, i.e. the prepolymer begins to expand immediately when applied to the surface. As the name implies, secondary expansion lasts throughout all stages of the conversion of a macromolecular compound. This should always be remembered when using such building materials.

The ability to expand is not the only characteristic. How long the polyurethane 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 mass rupture may even occur. Each master chooses for himself best option taking into account your needs. If the degree of expansion comes first for you, then the products Makroflex, Moment, GoldGan, Makrosil are suitable.

Detailed description of the sealant

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

The advantages of polyurethane foam include:

easy application;
affordability;
durability.

And the most important thing is that polyurethane foam has sound/heat insulating qualities. Often, building materials are used during the installation of doors and window units. As it expands, it completely fills the voids, gluing the working surfaces. How long the polyurethane foam should dry directly depends on the thickness of the layer. For example, if it is 5 cm, then it will harden within 3 hours after leaving the container. In solid form, the material is not afraid of precipitation, cold, mold, mildew and even electricity. But the same cannot be said about ultraviolet radiation. But this drawback is easily eliminated by applying a layer of decorative plaster.

If you have to choose a sealant, then, in addition to how long it takes for Macroflex polyurethane foam to dry, you should be interested in the following parameters:

How does hardening occur and how long can it last?

At first it was said that main role During the hardening process of the sealant, water plays. 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 long it takes polyurethane foam to dry when installing doors, then keep in mind that this indicator is influenced by the thickness of the layer and air temperature. With optimal performance, completely dried excess pieces of material can be cut off after 3 hours and plastering can begin. As for the final polymerization, it lasts for another 12 hours. In cold and dry weather conditions, the process may take an indefinite amount of time. One thing is for sure, that the next stage of work can be started only after the porous mixture has completely hardened.

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

Index	Din	Mounting KS	Pistol NBS
Fire resistance class of the material	4102	AT 3	AT 3
Thermal conductivity	52612	0.035 W/(mºС)
Tensile strength	53455	140 kPa	65 kPa
Tension 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 humidification
Hygroscopicity	53428	0,3%	0,3%
Temperature stability	Long-term	from -40ºС to +90ºС from -40ºС to +130ºС	from -40ºС to +90ºС from -40ºС to +130ºС
Processing temperature		from -10ºС to +35ºС
Loss of adhesiveness (with a strip thickness of 30 mm)		In 10 minutes	In 10 minutes
Cutting (with a strip thickness of 30 mm)		In 60 minutes	In 45 minutes
	In 24 hours	In 24 hours
Foam output 750 ml		42 l	45 l
Raw Density		25 - 33 kg/m³	15 - 25 kg/m³
Shelf life in warehouse			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 it take for spray foam to dry?" placed completely wrong! The secret to converting prepolymer into strong polyurethane foam is how well it wets. The speed of “drying” of the foam depends on moisture. Let's take a closer look.

1 Expansion coefficient - the main parameter

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

Expansion of the prepolymer during the process of exiting the balloon and solidification is divided into two types: primary and secondary. The primary expansion is called immediately after leaving the container, the secondary lasts until the polymer conversion process is completed. Secondary expansion for high-quality materials reaches 30%, which cannot be ignored when using them. Usually it is enough to fill the gap one-third so that it is eventually completely filled with polyurethane foam.

In addition to expansion, polyurethane foam can also shrink, although for high-quality products this shrinkage is rarely 5%. If you observe large shrinkage, alas, you have come across a very low-quality polyurethane. In this case, even a mass rupture may occur, which in turn will entail a lot of other problems. Each master chooses foam according to his needs. Someone needs a large expansion, 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 hardens quickly.

2 Characteristics of polyurethane foam – let’s look into the details!

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

As the sealant expands, it fills all the voids, reliably “glues” the surfaces together, and when it hardens, the polymer secures the door frame or window. The foam is not afraid of precipitation and cold, it does not allow electricity to pass through and is not afraid of mold and mildew. The only drawback– fear of ultraviolet radiation, however, the material is often applied at the stage of rough work, which is then hidden under a decorative layer of plaster.

Anyone who comes across this material quite often begins to pay attention to parameters such as:

Porosity of polyurethane foam. The smaller the pores, the better - less plaster consumption and stronger material structure. The more closed pores on the surface, the higher quality the material is - it will reliably retain heat inside the house.
Volume of polyurethane 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 time the volume of finished foam from a cylinder of the same company may be half as much, and the company has nothing to do with it - it’s all to blame low temperature And low humidity air. It should also be remembered that the yield of material from a cylinder used with a mounting gun is usually greater 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 does, and this is money wasted. Traditionally, cylinders have a capacity of 300 ml, 500 ml and 750 ml. A 300 ml bottle contains about 30 liters of foam, this is enough to seal a gap of up to 5 cm between one door frame and the doorway. If the gap is larger, it is recommended, in order to save money, to reduce the width of the gap by using a layer of foam or other similar material. The foam yield from a 500 ml container is up to 40 liters, and from a 750 ml container – up to 50 liters. One 750 ml can is enough to treat two standard door frames.
Material adhesion. The very concept of “adhesion” means the ability of one material to stick to another. In the case of polyurethane foam, the adhesion of the material is very high to almost any surface, except cellophane, polyethylene and Teflon. Due to its high adhesion rates, this sealant is often used as an adhesive, especially when gluing PVC or foam panels. Rest assured, after the binder has completely hardened, 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 to the surface worse, falls down, and consumes more. In a word, it is cheaper to buy the cylinder that is more expensive.
The quality of the cylinder. Both the design and quality of the cylinder can affect the final result. Firstly, quality products equipped with reliable valves that easily return to their original position after pressing, blocking the access of air and the exit of gas. By the way, it is by the cylinders that you can determine what you are dealing with - high-quality material or a cheap fake. In the store, take two cylinders for comparison - if the contents are of different quality, you will feel it. The best container will be heavier, and as you move you will feel the contents slowly rolling from side to side. In a cheap container, the prepolymer will hang around like sour yogurt.

3 How long does polyurethane foam dry - we are looking for an exact answer

As you already understand, polyurethane foam is a rather complex material and has many nuances. As is the case with the expansion coefficient, which depends on many factors, answering the question “How long does polyurethane foam harden?” is quite difficult. First of all, it depends on humidity.

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

If the humidity is normal, then 3 hours will be enough for a five-centimeter layer to harden, after which you can cut off the protruding pieces of polyurethane foam and apply plaster. Final polymerization will take much longer - from 7 to 12 hours. If the weather is frosty and dry, the process may take a day. It is this time that will be the final answer to the question “How long does the polyurethane foam “dry”?” In any case, if time allows, take your time and wait until everything hardens properly.

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

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 it is quite difficult to work with these materials, there is still no guarantee that you will be able to completely seal all the holes and holes. Polyurethane foam is a truly universal option.

This product has a number of advantages over other sealants:

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

Polyurethane foam is used when installing windows, doors, when filling holes inside walls, ceilings, and sealing holes near pipes. As already noted, polyurethane foam can be used with metal, glass, wood, concrete, brick, and ceramics.

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

Temperature is of great importance and affects drying time of polyurethane foam. It is believed that the best option there will be a range from +5 to +30 degrees indoors. In addition, the can itself must be heated to a temperature of +10 degrees. Polyurethane foam dries out precisely when exposed to atmospheric conditions. Humidity is of no small importance, which also affects the speed and drying time of any polyurethane foam. If there is not enough moisture, before starting work, moisten the surface to be treated with water using a regular sprayer. Experiments have shown that ideal conditions are a temperature level of +20°C and a humidity level of 60-80%. Then the time for complete drying of the polyurethane foam is approximately 3-5 hours, but achieving such conditions is quite difficult.

Most often, the first hard crust appears within 20-30 minutes, but complete hardening can take a day. It also depends on the amount of material applied. In any case, the hardening time of the polyurethane foam is usually written on the packaging. It may vary between different manufacturers.

When working with polyurethane foam, remember the expansion it has. This substance usually increases in size 2 times: when it is first poured out of the can, and when it gradually hardens. This fact must be taken into account, since if the structure is not secured, this can lead to its deformation, because the hardened polyurethane foam is very strong and hard.

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

Now many companies produce this product. You should not buy cheap polyurethane foam, otherwise you risk encountering 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 polyurethane foam.

BELINKA BELPUR PU FOAM GUN is a wonderful summer polyurethane foam, when working with which it is necessary to maintain the air temperature at least +5°C. She has high level 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. Working with such equipment is much more convenient and faster. The hardening time of this polyurethane foam ranges from 5 to 12 hours. Polyurethane foam is produced in cylinders of only 750 ml. This substance perfectly tolerates the effects of water, moisture, and chemicals.

Expansion coefficient

Polyurethane foam is valued for its ability to expand quickly. Household types This sealant can expand in volume by 60% of its original state. Professional foam has a greater expansion coefficient and doubles or even triples its original appearance. The expansion coefficient can vary depending on the humidity and temperature of the environment in which the polymer is used, on the rate of removal of the product from the container, as well as on the method in which the foam is applied to the surface.
The polymer is a dielectric building material, he is not afraid of either mold or mildew. The only damage to already hardened foam during operation can be ultraviolet radiation. If the sealant is used for external work, it is recommended to cover it with finishing materials. Porosity is another important quality of the composition. The fewer pores, the stronger the connection and the less composition consumption.
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 the most High Quality, in a cold atmosphere can reduce its size by half.

Adhesion

An important characteristic of a sealant is adhesion, which refers to the ability of the composition to bond to a surface. For high-quality material, this unit of measurement should be high in relation to any building materials. Problems with the connection occur when you need to secure 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 container and the excessive release of compressed gas from it.
Balloon good quality has more weight and, if you turn it over, you should feel how the contents move quietly and slowly in it.

How long does it take for polyurethane foam to dry?

The sealant is a rather complex building material. Characteristics and quality are ambiguous and depend on many things. Foam enters 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 largely on water. The higher the humidity, the faster the product hardens and the degree of adhesion increases. Professionals recommend moistening 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 in about 3 hours. Then it gains the required hardness over another 6-9 hours. At negative temperature this process takes up to a day. Experienced builders do not recommend rushing to complete finishing of already foamed holes and cracks. The sealant must be given time to harden as much as possible in order to gain strength: a day in summer, a day and a half in winter. In order for the material to harden faster, it must be periodically moistened. 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 successful repairs. To seal cracks, holes, and seams, professional level, the product must be selected with high performance and technical data.

On construction markets You can find a large number of different polyurethane foam. Experts recommend paying attention to the following product brands:

"Moment Montage". Famous brand, with well-deserved popularity, is sold in all construction stores. It is characterized by a dense, uniform consistency and high adhesion to almost any material. It can be used both indoors and outdoors. The downside is secondary growth, as a result of which, with a large amount of foam used, the sealed seams can become deformed.
"Makroflex". One of the best brands. Can be used for work both in winter and summer. The foam has a uniform structure, adheres perfectly to any surface, and secondary growth is minimal. The disadvantages include market defects in cylinders that do not last long. Then either only gas comes out of them, or just sealant.
"Soudal". Not a very well-known company that produces quality products. The market offers polymer options for working in winter and for summer work. Winter species are suitable even at 20-degree frosts. All products have good adhesion, little secondary growth, little shrinkage. Foam also reacts poorly to the sun.
"Penosil". High-quality sealant with a dense consistency. Secondary expansion is almost absent, different large sizes exit. Effective for interior works, not suitable for outdoor use. Temperatures below minus 4 and above plus 35 will completely discredit him.
"Titan 02". Most famous brand 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 sealant. 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 as desired, you need to carefully select the product and use it in accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer.

The drying process of polyurethane foam depends on many influencing factors: the quality of the material, its composition, temperature external environment and its humidity. All this must be taken into account before you begin to seal seams or openings.

Description

Polyurethane foam is classified as a sealing agent, which is almost impossible to do without in the construction process. It is used in cases where there is a need to seal seams or joints with a depth and width of more than 3 cm. Before using this material, builders wonder how long it takes for the foam to dry completely, but it turns out that this question has been raised incorrect. First of all, it should be said that main secret complete transformation of the material into strong polyurethane foam lies in the degree of wetting. But we will pay attention to this fact later.

First you need to decide why builders prefer polyurethane foam:

its application is very simple;
pricing policy is available;
long service life.

Besides, this material has qualities that insulate sound and make it possible not to lose heat from the room.

Most often, foam is used during the installation of balcony blocks, windows or doors. different types. When applied, the composition begins to expand and at the same time fills all the voids, thereby gluing the desired surfaces. It should be noted that the hardening time also depends on the thickness of the layer that was applied. If it is no more than 5 cm, then within 3 hours after leaving the container the foam will reach the required density.

Foam is also so popular for the reason that, when frozen, it is not susceptible to the effects of temperature, moisture and even electricity, in addition, fungus does not appear on it. It should be noted that the foam may undergo changes from the influence of ultraviolet radiation, but this defect can be eliminated if you use decorative plaster.

Material characteristics

With the help of polyurethane foam, various types of work are carried out, this does not necessarily apply to windows and doors; with the help of this sealing consistency, builders seal large cracks, eliminate voids and fasten structures. If you familiarize yourself with all the qualities of the material, you can understand that it can be compared with sealing compounds due to its ability to seal the necessary surfaces.

Before examining the drying process in detail, you need to familiarize yourself with the main characteristics of the material.

Output volume. This indicator shows what changes have occurred to the material compared to its original state. The unit in which this volume is measured is liters. The main aspects that affect this indicator are the temperature and humidity of the surface being treated.
Clutch. This characteristic allows you to determine how well the material will adhere to the surface. Exception in in this case surfaces such as polyethylene, ice, greasy bases, Teflon and silicone may become damaged.
Viscosity index. These data will depend on the quantity and quality of the components used to prepare the foam. In addition, this property will be affected by the external temperature. It is recommended to use the material only at temperatures from +5 to +30 degrees.

If you use foam outside the established limits, it will lose its main qualities, and the original product will not meet all the requirements.

If the consumer needs to purchase sealing foam, then, in addition to the drying rate, You need to pay attention to a few more main parameters.

Porosity indicator. The smaller it is, the better quality foam. This parameter is determined by the number of pores in a closed state on the surface.
Volume. In this case, you need to pay attention to the mass of the polymer already in a frozen state.
The quality of the packaging, in our case the cylinder. It would seem that this is not such a serious criterion, but it is the design and integrity of the container that can affect the quality of the material inside and the final result.

Requirements

Polyurethane foam is a material that, like any other, has a number of requirements.

These requirements include:

good surface bonding;
elasticity;
after hardening, the material should not crumble, even when exposed to sub-zero temperatures;
The shrinkage of the solution, which has already dried, should be moderate.

We draw the attention of users to the fact that the foam is very resistant to direct contact. sunlight. For this reason, after complete hardening, the excess is cut off, and all compacted areas are treated with paint or plaster. And in order not to disturb the density of the material and to do the application sequence correctly, you need to know how much time is needed for complete hardening.

To eliminate gaps between door frames and openings, only a third of the sealing compound will be required. The material will begin to harden on the surface within half an hour after application. You may notice that a film will appear on the surface.

Final drying can be expected 8 hours after the material is applied. The fixing process occurs due to the expansion of the substance, which leaves the container and hardens.

Conventionally, this is divided into several stages:

primary, which is carried out immediately at the exit from the package;
secondary, which is not completed until the final transformation of the foam into a solid composition.

If the material is of high quality, then at the second stage the expansion rate can reach 30%; this must be taken into account during the work process. Most often, a third of the material is spent filling the space; this is enough to fill all the cracks during expansion.

But you should also pay attention to the fact that the foam should shrink; you should not be afraid of this action, it will not cause problems. IN quality materials shrinkage can reach 5%, and this is not noticeable from the outside. If shrinkage does occur, and this is clearly visible from the outside, it means that the polyurethane was purchased of poor quality.

Polymerization time

So, at the beginning we pointed out that water plays a rather important role in the use of polyurethane foam. This is explained by the fact that it is the liquid that increases the adhesion index; for this reason, experts recommend moistening it before carrying out work. work surface. It is not necessary to pour a large volume of water onto the walls; it is enough to use a regular spray bottle.

If we consider the process of installing door structures, then, as already mentioned, the drying process will be affected by the thickness of the layer and, of course, the temperature of the environment. At normal conditions Excess protruding foam can be cut off after 3 hours, and after this you can start plastering. Speaking about final hardening, it should be noted that it will occur after approximately 12 hours.

Many people wonder how long it takes for foam to dry when installing windows or doors in an apartment., and if it’s already applied, then why does it take so long to dry? Foam takes a long time to dry for various reasons. One of the main ones is using it at the wrong temperature.