Makroflex polyurethane foam: pros and cons

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

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

Makroflex mounting tape is also called polyurethane sealant., produced in cylinders of various sizes. Macroflex foam consists of a prepolymer and a propellant (propellant gas). When exiting, interacting with air, the prepolymer solidifies. Thanks to this solidification, cracks and holes are sealed.

Makroflex polyurethane foam is intended for:

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

Domestic foam has a structure in the form of a plastic tubethat attaches to the balloon. Through it, the foam material is released. The professional variation is a design that is specialized for attaching a construction gun. The professional version of the foam has a much higher yield of finished products, in contrast to the foam for household use, but the cost is also more expensive.

Advantages of using Macroflex foam:

• Foam is a finished product. The work does not require preliminary preparatory work.
• Super versatile foam can be used not only for laying materials, but also for gluing them and sealing seams and cracks.
• Simplicity and ease of use.
• The company's products are characterized by an affordable price.

• Due to its composition, the foam provides reliable protection against 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 for working with a special assembly mixture varies from -5 to +35 degrees.
• Working with polyurethane foam eliminates the formation of dust and various contaminants, which makes it possible to reduce the period of cleaning the premises after construction procedures.

Disadvantages:

• Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the destruction of the foam occurs over time. To protect the material, paint products based on an aqueous emulsion, the composition of a sealing special material, a mixture of cement, and gypsum are used.
• Installation is carried out only with special protective equipment. Mounting tape affects the respiratory organs, skin, mucous membranes of the eyes.

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

Polyurethane foams Macroflex includes the following varieties in its product line.

• Macroflex SHAKETEC all-season.
• Macroflex Winteris a foam used in dry and cold conditions. It is applied at temperatures ranging from -10 to +25 degrees using a special applicator tube.Such a mixture can create excellent sound insulation of partitions, fill voids in roof systems, and mount window and door openings.

• Macroflex Premium - professional polyurethane foam. When used, it doubles in volume. Premium foam is applied with a pistol. Excellent adhesion to materials from wood, metal, concrete, stone is formed. It is allowed to use foam with damp surfaces. The volume of Macroflex Premium foam is 750 ml, at the exit of the product, from 25 to 50 liters of foam are formed.
• Macroflex Premium Mega is a professional winter polyurethane foam. Such a mixture can be used at a temperature of -15 degrees, thereby ensuring reliable and strong adhesion to building materials made of wood, concrete, metal. Due to the fact that the material is self-expanding, the mixture is precisely dosed at the exit.

• Makroflex Pro applied with a special device, the yield is about 65 liters of finished product. Has good adhesion to many building materials. The mixture of this type of foam does not contain organic substances in the form of chlorine, fluorine and carbon. Thanks to this, it is used for the special insulation of windows, doors, filling voids. Also, the sealant is used as a heater.
• Polyurethane foam Makroflex Whiteteq represents a new generation product. White polymer foam is made according to the Whiteteq method, which is based on the ideal cleansing of the components that make up the mixture. The result is a crystal-white foam shade, a microporous Quattro structure and UV resistance. A special ball is located inside the can, which ensures the uniformity of the elements when mixing. The installed valve in the cylinder ensures the preservation of the foam quality. It is used in many construction works (insulation, filling voids, fastening materials).

• Macroflex foam cement. This type of product can replace a large number of heavy bags of cement, auxiliary tools, and water. With the help of foam cement, you can glue various building materials and blocks without much effort and in a fairly short time. Also, foam cement is used in the installation of panels to walls, stair steps, window sills. It is forbidden to apply the solution to the foam concrete surface.

Macroflex sealants are a separate type of product, which includes the following types of materials.

• MAKROFLEX TA145 - high temperature resistant sealant, which is intended for use in rooms with high temperatures or sudden temperature changes (ovens, ceramic panels of kitchen tiles). The solution hardens due to air humidity.

Comparative reviews of researchers have shown that Macroflex sealant has a great advantage over conventional sealing solutions. When ignited, the foam burns without cracking through which smoke and toxic substances can pass. The time for applying the glue to the surface is about 15 minutes. Withstands temperatures from -65 to +315 degrees.

• Macroflex AX104 - a super-universal silicone sealant designed for self-sealing of building materials both for indoor and outdoor work. Has good adhesion to materials made of glass, ceramics, aluminum.The composition contains substances that prevent the formation of mold and mildew, and is highly resistant to daylight. The temperature range for installation is from +5 to +40 degrees, but it is also necessary that there is no moisture and ice on the surfaces. The shelf life of silicone sealant is about 18 months.

• Macroflex NX108 Is an indifferent silicone sealant. Has good adhesion to wood, glass, metal, ceramics, plastic and concrete coatings. The sealant is resistant to rust formation on metal 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, bathroom).
• Macroflex FA131 Is an ultra-effective frost-resistant polyacrylic sealant. This type of sealant is used to seal seams and cracks both indoors and outdoors. The advantage of the sealant is that it is highly resistant to freezing and thawing during storage and transportation. It is possible to paint the sealant with acrylic dyes. It is not recommended to use the material in rooms with high humidity. It is used for sealing joints and cracks in coatings made of concrete, brick, wood, tiles, plaster.

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

• MAKROFLEX MF190 - the strongest white assembly adhesive, which is based on an aqueous dispersion of polymers. It is used for gluing plastic and wood materials for interior and exterior construction work. Quickly and firmly glues building materials made of wood, chipboard, PVC, gypsum, plastic, drywall.

The consumption of Makroflex polyurethane foam depends on the size and shape of the seam. With a rectangular section, the flow rate is calculated by the formula: D x W, where D is the seam depth (mm), W is the seam width (mm). For example, if the width and depth of the joint are 5 ml, then the flow rate will be calculated as follows: 5 x 5 = 25 ml per 1 meter of the joint. In the case of a triangular seam, the calculation looks like this: ½ W x D. If the width and depth are 10 ml, then the flow rate will be: 5 x 10 = 50 ml per meter of seam.

For maximum foam output, cut off the tip of the cartridge at a 45 degree angle.

The drying time of the polyurethane foam depends on many factors: air humidity, the temperature of the assembly mixture and the environment, the volume and type of the applied material. At a temperature of +20 degrees, the foam will dry out within 2-3 hours, but the final solidification will be only after 12 hours. At a lower temperature, the mixture dries within 24 hours. During the initial hardening of the mixture (2-3 hours), you can cut it off, putty, paint. Foam setting time can be accelerated by dampening, which also affects adhesion to building materials.

Many experts recommend opting for a polyurethane foam manufacturer Macroflex, because it has numerous positive customer reviews, which are based on the merits of the mixture:

• ease and practicality in use;
• short curing time;
• acceptable price;

• a huge range of Macroflex products;
• reliability and durability;
• extensive area of ​​use.

Like any building material, polyurethane foam has negative reviews from consumers.Basically, they come from those who used the mixture not according to the instructions, not observing the safety rules when using the foam.

Recommendations of specialists for the use of Macroflex polyurethane foam:

• Before use, the foam should be kept at room temperature for about 12 hours, this is necessary for the mixture to completely warm.
• Installation work with Macroflex products can be carried out only after one hundred percent shaking of the can, so that the finished foam solution will be of a homogeneous consistency when it comes out. During application, the can must be kept upside down, regardless of how the foam is applied to the coatings (manual method or with a pistol).
• Before applying the installation solution to surfaces or coatings, they must be cleaned of dust and various contaminants. Metal coatings contaminated with old sealant can be easily cleaned with white spirit. Also, for better adhesion, it is recommended to wet the surfaces with water using a special spray.

• If there is a need for a break in construction work (more than 15 minutes), the channel and pipe must be cleaned of the foamed mixture before resuming the use of the mixture.
• Foam spots that have not yet hardened can be easily cleaned with specialized cleaners. The frozen mixture lends itself only to mechanical stress (cutting from surfaces).
• It is recommended to use Macroflex in filling gaps and joints with dimensions from 0.5 cm to 8 cm. The mixture may not penetrate into narrow gaps to the required depth, as a result of which voids may form. Wide seams and crevices will not be able to withstand the heavy mass of mortar.

Safety precautions for installation work with Makroflex foam:

• Do not allow the finished mixture to get on the skin and organs of vision, severe irritation may occur. If this happens, immediately wash off the composition from the skin or rinse your eyes with warm water.
• Never remove a cartridge from the gun that is not fully used. Only an empty bottle can be replaced.

• Construction work with polyurethane foam is carried out only in rooms with good ventilation. When the mixture is sprayed, harmful substances are released that affect the respiratory system. It is recommended to use protective equipment.
• Do not apply foam on hot surfaces and old electrical wiring. Foam contact with hot coatings can cause an explosion. Unreliable wiring can contribute to the sudden appearance of a spark, which will lead to dire consequences. Also, do not smoke near the sealing solutions.

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