Category: News
Following an earlier acquaintance and some indirect collaboration with Temati as Financial Manager at Hertel Industrial Sealings, which, like Temati, was part of the Hertel Group at the time, Stefan Naenen joined Temati as CFO in 2012. In 2013 he became one of the co-owners of the Temati Group, which, with all its international branches, separated from the old parent organization to continue independently.
In 2022, the owners sold their shares to the IPCOM Group, after which Stefan continued to carry out his duties and responsibilities as CFO within the new structure. Now the time has come for Stefan to take on a new challenge and to use his entrepreneurial ambition in a different place within a new organization.
In recent years, Stefan has designed and expanded the structures and processes in the financial and ICT field at Temati. In addition, he has also been strongly involved in helping to create the optimal conditions for the Temati Group to further develop into the healthy and ambitious international organization it is today. We wish him and his family every success and happiness, and thank him for his contributions and commitment to the development of the Temati Group.
In March 2018, Tolga Uzun joined Temati as an internal sales representative. With a background in sales, the position, which involved extensive customer interaction, immediately appealed to him. Additionally, the international aspect of the company attracted him, as he saw opportunities for further self-development. These expectations have now been more than fulfilled. In this interview, Tolga shares his journey at Temati and how he has developed within the company to become an export manager.
From internal sales to export manager
Tolga started his career at Temati with a wide range of tasks: from handling incoming requests to providing technical support and organising transport within the Netherlands and abroad. After four years, Tolga, partly due to his Turkish background and Temati’s collaboration with a distributor in Turkey, saw an opportunity to further develop this high-potential market. “On my own initiative, I started visiting clients and projects in Turkey. The fact that I can communicate with people in the same language is a great advantage.”
What began as a personal challenge led to a serious expansion of his responsibilities. Now, 2.5 years later, he is responsible for markets in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Georgia. He regularly travels to these countries to visit customers and projects and to develop the market. “It is fantastic how I have been able to develop myself in this role, but also the growth I have managed to achieve in the Turkish market is something I am proud of. The appreciation I receive from my colleagues for this gives me even more energy.”
Self-development and own initiative
Tolga’s growth within Temati is a great example of how personal initiative and perseverance can lead to new opportunities. “The opportunities to develop yourself are there, but if you sit back and wait for someone to tell you what to do, you won’t get far,” Tolga stresses. “You really have to want it yourself.”
That drive to improve himself is certainly present in Tolga. He is constantly attending courses and also studying at home in the field of insulation. Additionally, he leverages the knowledge of his colleagues and has regularly accompanied the field representative responsible for the Netherlands and Belgium. “Learning from that and developing yourself in those areas are really valuable steps you can take.”
Working at Temati: more than just a job
What Tolga perhaps appreciates most about working at Temati is the work atmosphere and the bond with colleagues. “It is a small, close-knit team where you have a lot of responsibility. The lines of communication are short, allowing you to easily switch between different levels, from the management to the warehouse,” says Tolga enthusiastically.
The atmosphere within the team is informal, and the collaboration is smooth, contributing to a pleasant work environment. Every day starts with a good conversation at the coffee table, which strengthens the mutual bond. The diversity within the international team also plays an important role in this. “We have a great mix of young and old, different nationalities and backgrounds,” Tolga explains. “That is precisely what makes the work so interesting. I have built close relationships with some colleagues, and that makes the work really fun.”
An employer with a heart for its employees
Tolga is clearly proud of his employer. “I have had various employers and seen different companies from the inside, but Temati is special. From the management to the warehouse and all the other branches, it’s just wonderful to work for this company,” he concludes.
More about working at Temati and vacancies?
In industrial environments, protecting hot insulation systems is essential for energy efficiency and pipe protection. It is imperative to prevent moisture from entering the insulation system. This can reduce the performance of the insulation system and contribute to corrosion of the underlying pipes, vessels, flanges, valves and more. In addition, the weather barrier coating must be able to “breathe” so that any moisture present in the system can get out. This is where FOSTER® brand breather coatings provide a solution.
The problem of moisture in hot insulation
In hot insulation systems, controlling moisture from entering is paramount. Moisture and water can penetrate the insulation system and cause problems. Besides loss of performance, moisture or water can also contribute to corrosion of the underlying pipes, vessels, flanges, valves and other components. This can lead to costly repairs and maintenance work, and can even compromise safety. In terms of thermal insulation protection, FOSTER® weather barrier coatings provide total protection without seams, overlaps or joints that can cause short- or long-term failures. This is especially important on bends, T-joints, vessels and other complex shapes. FOSTER® weather barrier coatings are fully weatherproof and make the use of additional metal cladding optional.
Components of thermal insulation systems
Hot insulation systems consist of several layers to prevent the penetration of moisture and water and optimally protect pipes :
- Adhesive: When fibrous insulation or calcium silicate needs to be attached to a hot surface, HT Silicate Adhesive 1000 is used. For lower temperatures, FOS-STIK™ spray adhesive (aerosol adhesive) can provide easy, clean, strong bonding of a wide range of materials.
- Insulation: On the adhesive, the insulation layer is applied, e.g. PIR, PUR or cellular glass.
- Reinforcement: To reinforce the insulated pipe sections and hold them in place, Filament tape is used; a longitudinally reinforced tape with glass fibres.
- Weather barrier – A FOSTER® weather barrier coating is applied in two layers over the outer surface of the insulation. A reinforcement such as Scrimtex or Mast-A-Fab is wrapped in the first layer before the second layer is applied. Different colours are often used to ensure no spots are skipped.
- Sealant: In hot insulation systems, metal cladding is generally not needed, as the FOSTER® coating already provides a watertight seal. However, when metal cladding is used as exterior cladding over insulation, the overlaps are sealed using Foster 95-44; a flexible vapour barrier sealant.
Support and advice on hot insulation
This article covers best-practices for most situations. But we have other insulation materials in our range for hot applications, such as two-component PU foam and a variety of insulation jackets. For more specific information and technical support, please contact our team. Based on our technical materials for insulation protection, we can advise on specific details and applications.
Many asbestos-containing materials were used in the past, mainly in construction, but also in installations and ships. Asbestos was a cheap, strong, hard-wearing material, which was also resistant to bases and high temperatures. It is now known that inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibres is dangerous and poses a major health risk. It is therefore crucial to remediate or conserve asbestos in a safe and effective way. Read more about the different solutions Temati offers for encapsulating or removing asbestos in this article.
What is asbestos and where does it occur?
Asbestos is a collective term for naturally formed minerals with a fibrous structure. There are three types of asbestos: white asbestos (chrysotile), blue asbestos (crocidolite) and brown asbestos (amosite). Over 80% of asbestos in the Netherlands is processed into asbestos cement products, such as corrugated sheets and water pipes. Furthermore, asbestos occurs in other applications such as:
- Insulation material
- Fire resistant boards
- In gaskets and filters of the chemical and food industries
Asbestos remediation or preservation?
The processing of asbestos-containing material includes several options. The asbestos can be completely remediated (removal) or preserved (encapsulation and finishing). Several factors are considered when determining the right approach for asbestos processing, including the condition of the asbestos-containing material, the location, the intended use of the space, exposure risks and applicable regulations. It is essential to carry out a thorough asbestos inventory and assessment to make an informed decision on whether to remediate or conserve the material.
- Asbestos remediation is usually chosen in situations where the material is damaged, worn or highly weathered. Remediation may also be preferred when there is a high risk of fibre dispersion and exposure. The goal of asbestos remediation is to completely remove the material from the environment to eliminate health risks. This requires a careful process that complies with applicable regulations and safety standards.
- Asbestos preservation can be a viable option when the material is in good condition, not damaged and the risk of fibre spread is low. Instead of removing it completely, it can then be conserved. This involves encapsulating the material and finishing it with special coatings or sealants. The encapsulation process requires precise application of appropriate products and periodic monitoring to ensure that the encapsulated asbestos-containing material remains intact.
Different solutions
Foster® Products Corporation is an international pioneer and market leader in the development of asbestos remediation products. As Foster®’s exclusive distributor in Europe, Temati offers a comprehensive range of specialised products for encapsulating and remediating asbestos-containing materials.
· Impregnating agent to encapsulate asbestos
Preserving or encapsulating asbestos ensures that the asbestos fibres are contained and cannot be released after curing. Various impregnating agents and coatings are available for this purpose, distinguishing between a penetrating impregnating agent and an insulating sealant.
- Foster 32-20, 32-21 and 32-22 are single-component asbestos impregnants that penetrate deeply into porous asbestos-containing materials. It dries to a solid, damage-resistant mass that prevents asbestos fibres from being released.
- Foster 32-80 is a bridging coating that forms a tough and elastic coating after drying, which prevents the release of fibres. This coating is also used after asbestos removal on walls and ceilings.
- Foster 30-52 Fireflex is the preferred product for outdoor applications where an excellent asbestos encapsulation material is required. A fungal and UV-resistive alternative to Foster 32-80.
· Asbestos remediation products
Foster 32-60 is specially designed to facilitate the removal of asbestos-containing materials from various substrates. This ready-to-use asbestos impregnating agent easily “wets” the individual fibres (also fibres in the air) and traps them. After this, the asbestos can be removed without releasing loose fibres into the air and thus with less risk of inhaling the harmful substance. In addition, the Foster 32-60 asbestos impregnating agent is also effective as a residual fibre locking agent.
· Coatings to encapsulate residual asbestos fibres
After asbestos removal, it is very important to encapsulate the remaining fibres to prevent further spread and exposure. Even after careful asbestos removal, small asbestos fibres may still be present. By encapsulating residual fibres, they are trapped which ensures that they cannot spread again. An essential step to minimise the risks related to asbestos.
One of the products that can be used for encapsulation is Foster 32-80. This is a special coating that can be applied to walls and ceilings. By diluting it with water, it can also be used effectively to lock remaining fibres on permanent and temporary surfaces. In addition, the asbestos impregnating agent Foster 32-22 can also be used to seal remaining asbestos fibres.
Safety first!
Although the removal and preservation of asbestos may seem simple, the correct encapsulation of the (remaining) fibres is very important to prevent further spread and exposure to asbestos fibres. Indeed, inhaling loose asbestos fibres is the main danger of asbestos. These fibres can cause serious health problems, the symptoms of which can appear as long as 40 years after exposure. Lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the pleura or peritoneum, are some of the serious consequences of asbestos exposure. Therefore, it is crucial to take strict safety measures when working with or near asbestos-containing materials and adequately protect oneself from possible exposure to asbestos dust.
Get in touch
Are you looking for a product for preserving or remediating asbestos? Or do you still have questions about any of the solutions mentioned? Our dedicated team is ready to answer all your questions and together find the right solution for your asbestos situation!
The European Union recently adopted a new REACH regulation. This includes mandatory training for all employees in EU member states who deal with sprayed PUR foam. From 24 August 2023, all professional and industrial users of products containing > 0.1% monomeric diisocyanates, to hold a valid certificate. This regulation also applies to the use of Temati’s sprayable PU foam products. You can read all about certification in this article.
The importance of correct application of sprayed PUR foam
(Di)isocyanates are basic constituents of PUR foams, adhesives and sealants in particular. These polyurethane (PU) products are versatile and used for various applications in construction, transport, assembly and other sectors. The health and safety risks when processing PU foam are almost negligible, as long as the material is applied according to proper guidelines.
Guidelines for use of (di)isocyanates
Some important guidelines to observe when working with (di)isocyanates are:
- Avoid inhalation of vapours
- Avoid contact with skin
- Avoid contact with eyes
- Wear the required personal protective equipment (gloves, eye protection and safety shoes)
- No drinking, eating or smoking in the workplace
- Make sure the workplace is well ventilated
Knowledge crucial for safe PUR processing
To work responsibly with sprayed PUR, knowledge is crucial. This is why the EU has made training and certification mandatory from August 2023 for all employees handling (di)isocyanates. The aim of this obligation is to increase the quality of processing and protect the environment and human health against the risks of chemicals.
Why this mandatory certification for PU foam?
As mentioned above, the aim of the EU obligation is to prevent health hazards, such as respiratory and skin problems due to improper use of diisocyanates. Therefore, it is essential that every worker, who works with the material, has sufficient knowledge and is aware of the risks. Besides the correct working method, the worker should be able to implement appropriate risk management measures, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
What does this mean for you?
From 24 August 2023, PU foam processors must ensure that they are trained and certified to handle this product safely. In doing so, they must know how to control skin and respiratory exposure to the material in the workplace. The training must be repeated every 5 years to continue working with (di)isocyanates and maintain a high level of quality and knowledge. This rule also applies to the use of Temati’s Froth-Pak, Handi-Foam and Temati Foam products.
What does PU foam training entail?
For training, 3 levels have been identified, linked to the degree of exposure to the product:
- Basic (level 1)
- Medium (level 2)
- High (level 3)
The highest level is intended for employees performing tasks such as heating or spraying in the open air or in an environment with limited (natural) ventilation. The basic level focuses on assessing the suitability of an area for insulation with PUR foam and assessing any risks. Which level your employees should follow and which modules belong to it can be determined using this matrix.
Where can you take the course?
There are several parties providing training materials. These include FEICA, the umbrella organisation for the adhesives and sealants industry, which is working on training for PU certification. And the European industry has also developed an elearning platform. More information on the REACH restriction can be found on the Legislation.gov.uk website.
Temati’s focus is on protecting insulation, particularly in cold insulation. That is exactly the challenge for which the companies Insulcon and Isopartner Netherlands sought a solution for their clients. Insulcon specialises in heat management and has been working with Temati for four years now. The cooperation with Isopartner Netherlands, wholesaler of technical insulation materials, goes back longer and has lasted for 40 years. We spoke to Hans Vlasman, Senior Sales Executive at Isopartner Netherlands, and Patrick Schults, Technical Product Manager at Insulcon, about this collaboration.
Emergence of cooperation
Hans Vlasman explains that he has known Temati for a very long time as a supplier of accessories for cold insulation in particular. This goes back as far as 40 years, when they traditionally purchased Foster® materials and Froth-Pak. Later, VaporStop foil, in practice also called Mylar foil, was added as a finish for rigid foams from our own production. For Patrick Schults, that experience is somewhat shorter. About four years ago at Insulcon, they got their first order in the cold application, where Temati’s foils, tapes, coatings and adhesives offered a good solution in addition to the insulation materials that were in their own programme.
Who are Isopartner Netherlands and Insulcon?
Isopartner Netherlands has been operating as a wholesaler with a focus on technical insulation materials since 1951. With a wide range of products in technical insulation in stock, a high level of knowledge, reliable logistics and advanced machinery, Isopartner Netherlands is the partner for insulation companies in the HVAC, industrial, marine and O.E.M. markets.
Insulcon was founded in 1980 and specialises in heat management. They provide solutions involving thermal shock, chemical and abrasion resistance and/or high thermal insulation properties at high temperatures, up to 1600°C. Headquartered in the Netherlands, with manufacturing, sales and engineering offices across Europe and a network of agents and distributors, Insulcon covers the globe.
Professional with knowledge
As far as Isopartner Netherlands was concerned, the reason for choosing Temati was the fact that they had the know-how and the right product in house and were also fairly unique in that respect. Hans Vlasman: “When bonding polyurethane pir, we always contacted Temati as a professional in that field. And then particularly the Foster® products.” Temati is also exclusive distributor within Europe of this brand.
What was also very important for Insulcon is the fact that Temati itself does not mainly supply insulation material. Patrick Schults: “There are certainly other parties supplying the products, but it makes sense for us to look into the group first. With a group partner like Temati, it is often easier to share competitively sensitive details.”
Support to the joint end customer
For both companies, Temati provides support to the joint end customer. One way they do this is by sharing knowledge and recommending the right products. Patrick Schults and Hans Vlasman can always call with any questions they have in the field of cold insulation. In addition, Harold Snoeren (Technical Products Manager at Temati) goes to the end customer himself and also together with Hans Vlasman to give advice. And with Temati’s products, Insulcon can offer a complete package.
The companies complement each other well in this way. “We supply something they don’t have and they supply something we don’t have. And together we should be able to give good advice to a customer in that. That is something we do try to distinguish ourselves with in a partnership,” says Johan Sentjens (Business & Product Development Manager at Temati).
Quality and service
Both gentlemen are very satisfied with the cooperation. They both mention the quality of the service, both of the products and the people, and the delivery reliability. One strength is to get the right products, in the right place at the right time. Patrick Schults: “Contacts with the office staff are good and information is always delivered neatly and completely. In the past four years, nothing has ever gone wrong with that”.
Sharing knowledge
According to Patrick Schults, the art of the game is to be present throughout the chain and make sure people understand that you are the party that can help. Cold and cryogenic is something specialised after all, and there too it is noticeable that more and more knowledge is disappearing. By pooling and sharing that knowledge of the companies in this sector, the sector should remain able to continue to serve its customer group optimally and with customisation.
The IPCOM group
All three companies have joined the IPCOM group. The IPCOM group is a fast-growing and ambitious European group of companies specialising in the distribution and conversion of innovative solutions for cold insulation, high-temperature insulation, passive fire protection and sound insulation. A major advantage of this group is that it provides (more) contacts outside the Benelux, which brings the opportunity to deploy products internationally more often. But new companies joining the IPCOM group also offer opportunities. They may now buy elsewhere and get to know new suppliers within the group.
Anticipate
The insulation market is changing enormously and rapidly, which makes it important to keep abreast of events, according to Hans Vlasman. A development that is also important, according to Patrick Schults, is the disappearance of craftsmanship. Knowledge to work properly with products like Pir and Foamglas is slowly disappearing from the market, making the installation of these insulation materials increasingly difficult. Towards the future, the demand for alternative and new products, which are easier and require less knowledge to process, is likely to increase.
As insulation materials are installed for a longer period, efficient, durable and lifecycle-proof systems are required, as well as regular inspection plans. Insulating plant and piping is an important factor in reducing energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions. But it does create a major concern in the industry due to corrosion under insulation (CUI).
Indeed, CUI is a difficult phenomenon to control and also often difficult to detect. The rate of degradation also depends on many factors. Corrosion under insulation occurs throughout the global process industry and can lead to major, unwanted failures. Preventing corrosion requires not only the application of suitable coatings, but also the timely detection of corrosion under insulation. Below are some products as examples:
- Inspection holes for insulation
- Sealants and coatings
- Flange protection
- Drain plugs
- Spacer system mechanical protective layer
• Inspection holes for insulation
To inspect insulated pipes, vessels, tanks and equipment, it is sometimes more convenient to install an inspection plug, instead of removing parts of the insulation. Inspection plugs enable recurrent Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) or CUI inspections to be carried out safely, and with minimal exposure, through resealable entrances. Because the inspection plug seals tightly, you maintain a weatherproof seal to protect insulation. Moreover, the plugs are made of silicone rubber which also makes them resistant to high temperatures, mechanical damage, weathering and UV.
• Sealants and coatings
The ability to completely seal an insulation system is one of the most effective ways to prevent corrosion under insulation. Sealing of seams and fittings in insulation materials in cold insulation systems such as multicellular glass, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate requires a vapour sealant. Foster 95-50 Flextra® Sealant and Foster 30-45 Foamseal® Sealer form a flexible buffer in the seams of the insulation material. These Foster sealants do not shrink or crack. Even during repeated cycles of alternating high and low temperatures, e.g. due to commissioning and decommissioning.
Foster 95-44 Elastolar Sealant is used, among other things, for vapour sealing seams and overlaps in aluminium cladding. Elastolar Sealant is a flexible butyl – elastomer-based vapour barrier sealant. This elastic coating provides a seamless and weather-resistant membrane that prevents water penetration. Moreover, the sealant has good resistance to high and low temperatures which makes it suitable for both cryogenic and thermal insulation systems.
• Flange protection
Space between flanges are difficult to access, making maintenance difficult. The high risk of leaks at gaskets is therefore a reason not to insulate flanges. From the point of view of energy loss, this is not a desirable choice. In addition, leaks due to weakened flange bolts can eventually lead to corrosion under insulation or worse; fire and explosion risks.
A flangebelt is generally used to detect leaks in flange connections, but also provides personal protection in the case of so-called “spray outs”. In cold/cryogenic insulation systems, flangebelts are also referred to as “sniffer belts”. A stainless steel Protectem Flangebelt™ with a leak detection pipe not only prevents moisture from leaks from entering the insulation and causing CUI.
The Protectem Flangebelt™ remains under the insulation, allowing the entire system to be insulated. If a final test reveals that there is a leak in the flange connection somewhere, the insulation only needs to be removed there. After solving the leakage, only that flange connection needs to be re-insulated, leading to high cost savings.
• Drain plugs
Due to various causes, water or moisture can still enter the insulation, eventually leading to deterioration of thermal properties and incipient corrosion (C.U.I.). With the installation of drain plugs in the outer jacketing, any water or moisture entering the insulation system can drain or evaporate unhindered. A Temati drain plug ensures dry insulation and thus extends the life of the installation. The drain plugs are easy to install and adapt to the insulation thickness. For environments with high fire behaviour requirements, Temati supplies TN5 fireproof drainplugs™
Another way to detect the presence of water and/or moisture in an insulation system can be with the Temati Drainplug Water Indicators (TWI) in combination with other forms of NDE inspections. This reduces risk areas and allows visual inspections to be planned more economically. The water indicator responds to all liquids. Its primary function is to indicate the presence of liquids due to: water ingress, leakage and condensation.
• Spacer system mechanical protective layer
As mentioned earlier, CUI can occur when wet and saturated insulation materials come into contact with pipes or equipment (substrate). From a corrosion prevention point of view, the most logical solution is to disconnect the insulation from the substrate. A proven method is called Non-Contact. This can be easily achieved by using spacers or specially designed rings, as shown below.
However, from a thermal insulation point of view, the phenomenon of chimney effect may occur which may lead to additional heat loss. Therefore, Non-Contact should be carefully considered at the design stage.
Another system also described in the CINI manual is to create an air cavity on the outside of the insulation system. By using a studded profile foil such as Temafol, the cladding/sheathing is detached from the insulation material. This creates a draft in the cavity allowing moisture to evaporate. And because in this system the cladding/sheathing is always colder, moisture can condense against the inside of the cladding and drain freely from the system.
Questions or contact?
If you have technical or commercial questions about corrosion under insulation products or any of our other solutions, please contact us. We will be happy to think along with you for the most efficient insulation solution in your situation.
All Temati offices will be closed starting Friday 23rd of December at 4.00 pm. Our office in the Netherlands will re-open on Monday 2nd January 2023 at 8.30 am. Other offices will re-open Tuesday January 3rd at regular opening hours. Please contact your local office to get information about transport options in our last opening week.
The Temati team wishes you happy holidays and all the best for 2023!
Temati would like to inform you that Froth-Pak has replaced the propellant HFK-134a with the propellant HFO.
The propellant HFO has no ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a very low global warming potential (GWP). These changes do not affect the excellent processing properties you have come to expect from Froth-Pak.
In addition to the environmental improvements achieved by the new composition, it can also withstand lower temperatures. Bringing down the minimum service temperature to -150°C which makes the application range even more extensive.
If you have any technical or commercial questions about Froth-Pak or other solutions, please contact us.
Foam sealant is also called pu foam, pur or insulation foam. It is used for all kinds of applications including insulating walls, as well as sealing and filling gaps and cracks in insulation. What exactly is PU foam sealant, what types are there and how does it work? You can read all about it in this article.
- 1k or 2k pu foam
- Froth-Pak sprayable PU foam
- The difference between the three types of foam
- How does foam sealant work?
- Different nozzles
- Conditions of use
- Why maintenance is important
- How to remove PU foam
- Demonstration or advice
1k or 2k PU foam
You can buy foam sealant as one-component foam and two-component foam. The difference here is in how fast the foam cures. 1-component PU foam cures because it makes contact with moisture from the air or the substrate and is relatively slow. With 2-component PU foam, a hardener is added, which cures without the need for moisture. You will also notice this difference when cutting the foam sealant. With 2k pu foam the inside is also fully cured while with 1k pu foam the inside is still soft.
Froth-pak sprayable PU foam
A common brand of foam kit is Froth-Pak. Sprayable PU foam is available in several variants. Depending on the application, one can choose the Froth-Pak Quick Rise, Froth-Pak Slow Rise or Froth-Pak High Density. The difference between the Quick Rise and Slow Rise can already be seen from the names. The polyurethane foam of the Slow Rise rises and cures slowly, while the Quick Rise cures very quickly.
The difference between the three types of foam sealant
The Slow Rise is especially important when injecting polyurethane foam, also known as in-situ foams. This gives the foam time to reach all holes and corners before it cures. Quick Rise is often used on walls so that one can work through quickly. The High Density PU-foam has a higher density per m3 and is specially developed for applications where this density of 40 – 45 kg/m3 is required.
How does foam sealant work?
The 2k pu foam kit consists of two disposable tanks of 6kg or 20kg per component, which are pressurised, containing separately a foamer and a hardener. A hose set is connected to this, which is connected to a PU foam gun. When the tanks are opened and the sprayer is squeezed, foaming begins. No experience with sprayable PU foam? We also provide on-site explanations and demonstrations, please contact our technical specialists.
Various nozzles for sprayable PU foam
The nozzle, which is clicked onto the foam gun, has a mixing chamber. This is where the two components meet and ensure even distribution before being sprayed onto the product. When the foam and hardener are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs, causing the polyurethane foam to first increase in volume, or rise, and then cure.
Depending on the application, there are different nozzles. The cone nozzle is an all-round nozzle that ensures even distribution and is ideal for in-situ foaming. The spray nozzle, on the other hand, is suitable for spraying surfaces. When you stop foaming, the spray nozzle should be replaced after about 30 seconds because the foam then starts to harden. It is therefore important to prepare as much as possible before you start foaming.
Conditions of use 2k pu foam
Applying PU foam insulation is not difficult, but you need to take a few things into account. For optimum efficiency and best quality, it is important that the foam set is at temperature during use. A good usage temperature is between 23 and 27°C degrees. This can be done by placing the kit in a heat cabinet or with heat ribbons around it. The better the foam kit is at temperature, the higher the efficiency.
Why foam sealant maintenance is important
Maintenance is very important with PU foam insulation. Not only cleaning after use, but also regular flushing of the hose set contributes to a longer life. When this is not done, crystallisation occurs, causing the system to block. In addition, it can cause the mixing ratio to be incorrect, which also results in poor quality foam insulation.
How do you remove sprayable PU foam?
Sprayable PU foam is a dense and firm foam with a high insulation value, so you won’t get it off easily. You cannot remove foam with thinner or white spirit, but only with a special PU foam cleaner. With the foam gun, you can inject the 2k PU foam very accurately, but there is always a chance of spilling. Also your gun needs to be cleaned after use. With PU foam cleaner, you will remove foam spots not only from the gun, but also from your clothes and sheet metal.
Contact us for advice or a demonstration
Do you have questions about using 2k PU foam or need advice on your insulation project? Our specialists are at your service and take all the time to give your employees training and explanations where they can also foam themselves. Together we look at the best way to make your insulation project a success!