Makroflex polyurethane foam: the pros and cons

Construction work often leads to the need to connect certain elements consisting of different materials, to seal gaps and holes, to fix panels to surfaces. For these purposes, the installation foam was invented, which provides not only fast fixation of materials, but also reduces the cost of construction procedures. Among the majority of manufacturers, Mercroflex 750 ml polyurethane foam stands out, which has high technical characteristics.

More than 30 years of professional activity, as well as the connection of the company with the German concern Henkel, gave rise to an increase in the company's production capacity. To date, Makroflex foam has established itself on the positive side in Europe and the countries of the former CIS.

Makroflex mounting tape is also called polyurethane sealantproduced in cylinders of various volumes. Macroflex foam consists of a prepolymer and a propellant (displacing gas). When leaving, interacting with air, prepolymer freezes. Thanks to this solidification, the gaps and holes are sealed.

Makroflex polyurethane foam is designed for:

• self-sealing gaps, holes;
• filling air voids in materials;
• compound materials;
• thermal and sound insulation of surfaces in the room.

Foam for domestic use has a structure in the form of a plastic tubewhich joins the balloon. Through it is the release of foam material. Professional variation is a design that is specialized for connecting a construction gun. The professional version of the foam has a much higher yield, as opposed to consumer foam, but the cost is more expensive.

Advantages of using Macroflex foam:

• Foam is a finished product. Work does not require preliminary preparatory work.
• Super-universal foam can be used not only when laying materials, but also for gluing them and sealing joints and cracks.
• Simplicity and ease of use.
• For the company's products is characterized by an affordable price.

• Due to its composition, the foam provides reliable protection from moisture.
• The hardening of the material is faster than the hardening of the cement mixture.
• Macroflex foam can be used with various materials: wood, stone, concrete, metal coatings, PVC, chipboard.
• The temperature range of work with spetsmontazhnoy mixture ranges from -5 to +35 degrees.
• Work with assembly foam eliminates the formation of dust and various contaminants, which allows to reduce the period of cleaning the room after construction procedures.

Disadvantages:

• Under the influence of ultraviolet rays over time there is a destruction of the foam. To protect the material used coloring products based on water emulsion, the composition of the sealing special material, a mixture of cement, gypsum.
• Installation is carried out only with special protective equipment. Assembly tape affects the respiratory organs, skin, mucous membranes of the eye.

The manufacturer Makrofleks produces a wide range of products, not only mounting foams, but also various types of sealants and adhesives.

Macroflex polyurethane foam in its product line includes the following varieties.

• Macroflex SHAKETEC all season
• Macroflex winter- it is a foam used in dry and cold conditions. It is applied at temperature conditions from -10 to +25 degrees with the help of a special tube applicator. Such a mixture can create excellent sound insulation of partitions, fill voids in roof systems, install window and door openings.

• Macroflex premium - professional polyurethane foam. When using increases in volume by 2 times. Premium foam is applied with a pistol. Forms excellent adhesion to materials from wood, metal, concrete, stone. It is allowed to use foam with wet coatings. The volume of Macroflex Premium foam is 750 ml. When the product leaves, between 25 and 50 liters of foam are formed.
• Macroflex Premium Mega is a professional winter mounting foam. This mixture can be used at a temperature of -15 degrees, thereby ensuring reliable and durable adhesion to building materials from wood, concrete, metal.Due to the fact that the material is self-expanding, accurate dosing of the mixture occurs at the exit.

• Makroflex Pro applied with a special device, the output is about 65 liters of finished products. It has good adhesion with many building materials. The mixture of this type of foam does not contain organic substances in the form of chlorine, fluorine and carbon. Because of this, it is used for specializing windows, doors, filling voids. Also sealant is used as a heater.
• Polyurethane foam Makroflex Whiteteq represents a new generation of products. White polymeric foam is made according to the Whiteteq method, which is based on the perfect purification of the components that make up the mixture. The result is a crystal-white shade of foam, microporous Quattro structure and resistance to ultraviolet rays. Inside the barrel is a special ball, which ensures the uniformity of the elements when mixed. The installed valve in the cylinder ensures the preservation of the quality of the foam. Used in many construction works (insulation, filling voids, fixing materials).

• Macroflex foam cement. The products of this variety can replace a large number of heavy bags of cement, auxiliary tools, and also water. With the help of foam cement, it is possible to glue together various building materials and blocks without much effort and in a relatively short time. Also, foam cement is used in the installation of panels to the walls, stair steps, window sills. It is forbidden to apply the solution on the surface of foam concrete.

Sealants Macroflex - a separate type of product, which includes the following types of materials.

• MAKROFLEX TA145 - high heat-resistant sealant, which is designed for use in rooms with large temperature or sudden temperature changes (ovens, ceramic panels of kitchen tiles). The solidification of the solution occurs due to humidity.

Comparative surveys of researchers have shown that the sealant brand Makrofleks has a great advantage over conventional sealing solutions. When ignited, the foam burns without cracking, through which smoke and toxic substances can pass. The application of glue on the surface is about 15 minutes. Maintains temperatures from -65 to +315 degrees.

• Macroflex AX104 - super-universal silicone sealant designed for self-sealing of building materials during both internal and external works. It has good adhesion to materials from glass, ceramics, aluminum. The composition contains substances that prevent the formation of mold and fungus, and is highly resistant to the effects of daylight. The temperature range for mounting is from +5 to +40 degrees, but it is also necessary that the surfaces do not have moisture and ice. The expiration date of silicone sealant is about 18 months.

• Macroflex NX108 - it is an indifferent silicone sealant. It has good adhesion with coatings of wood, glass, metal, ceramics, plastics, concrete.The sealant is resistant to rust on metallic coatings and to UV rays. The main advantage of such a sealing mixture is that it can be used in rooms with high humidity (bath, toilet).
• Macroflex FA131 - it is a super effective frost-resistant polyacrylic sealant. This type of sealant is used for sealing seams and cracks both indoors and out. It is possible to refer to the advantage of sealant that it is highly resistant to freezing and thawing during storage and transportation. It is possible to paint the sealant with acrylic coloring products. It is not recommended to use the material in rooms with high humidity. It is used for sealing seams and cracks in coatings made of concrete, brick, wood, tile, gypsum.

• Macroflex SX101 - sanitary silicone sealant designed for use in rooms with high humidity (bathroom, toilet). Due to the composition of the mixture containing fungicides, it is resistant to the formation of mold and fungus. Sealant can be white or colorless. It is not recommended to use a sealant for sealing aquariums, because the composition contains antiseptic substances. Spots may form when interacting with stone surfaces.Installation is carried out only at temperatures from +5 to +40 degrees.

• MAKROFLEX MF190 - the strongest construction adhesive of white color which basis is water dispersion of polymers. Used for gluing plastic and wooden materials for interior and exterior construction works. Quickly and firmly glues building materials from wood, chipboard, PVC, plaster, plastic, drywall.

Consumption of Makroflex polyurethane foam depends on the size and shape of the seam. For a rectangular section, the flow rate is calculated using the formula: T x W, where T is the depth of the seam (mm), W is the width of the seam (mm). For example, if the width and depth of the seam is 5 ml, then the flow rate will be calculated as follows: 5 x 5 = 25 ml per 1 m of the seam. In the case of a triangular seam, the calculation is as follows: ½ W x G. If the width and depth are 10 ml, then the flow rate will be: 5 x 10 = 50 ml per meter of seam.

To ensure maximum foam output, it is necessary to cut the cartridge tip at a 45 degree angle.

The drying time of the mounting foam depends on many factors: humidity of the air, temperature of the installation mixture and the environment, volume and type of applied material.At a temperature of +20 degrees, the foam will dry within 2-3 hours, but the final solidification will be only after 12 hours. At lower temperatures, the mixture dries within 24 hours. During the initial solidification of the mixture (2-3 hours), it can be cut off, puttyed, painted. The hardening time of the foam can be accelerated by moistening, which also affects the adhesion of building materials.

Many experts recommend to opt for the installation foam manufacturer Makrofleks, because it has numerous positive customer reviews, which are based on the merits of the mixture:

• ease and practicality in use;
• short time of hardening;
• acceptable price;

• Macroflex's huge product range;
• reliability and durability;
• extensive area of ​​use.

Like any building material, mounting foam has negative feedback from consumers. Basically they come from those who did not use the mixture according to the instructions, not observing the safety rules when using foam.

Recommendations of specialists on the use of Macroflex assembly foam:

• Before using the foam should be held at room temperature for about 12 hours, it is necessary to completely warm the mixture.
• Installation work with Macroflex products can only be carried out after one hundred percent shaking of the can, so that the ready solution of the foam at the exit will have a uniform consistency. During application, the cartridge must be kept upside down, regardless of how the foam is applied to the coating (manual method or using a gun).
• Before applying the mounting solution on the surface or coating, they must be cleaned from dust and various contaminants. Metallic coatings that have contamination in the form of an old sealant are easily cleaned with white spirit. Also, for better adhesion, it is recommended to moisten the surface with water using a special sprayer.

• If there is a need to break the construction work (more than 15 minutes), before resuming the use of the mixture, the canal and tube must be cleaned of foamed mixture.
• Foam stains that have not yet had time to harden are easily cleaned with specialized cleansers. The frozen mixture is subject only to mechanical stress (cutting from surfaces).
• It is recommended to use Macroflex in filling gaps and seams in sizes from 0.5 cm to 8 cm.The mixture may not penetrate the narrow gaps to the required depth, as a result of which voids may form. Wide seams and gaps will not be able to withstand a heavy mass of mortar.

Installation safety with Makroflex foam:

• Do not allow the mixture to get on the skin and organs of vision, severe irritation may occur. If this happens, you should immediately wash the composition from the skin or wash the eyes with warm water.
• In no case do not remove the spray from the gun, which is not fully used. Only an empty cylinder can be replaced.

• Construction work with assembly foam is carried out only in rooms with good ventilation. When spraying the mixture out harmful substances that affect the respiratory system. It is recommended to use protective equipment.
• It is forbidden to apply foamed material on hot surfaces and old electrical wiring. The interaction of foam with hot coatings can lead to an explosion. Unreliable wiring can contribute to the sudden appearance of a spark, which will lead to dire consequences. Also, you can not smoke close to sealing solutions.

For the pros and cons of Makroflex foam, see the following video.