 General Questions
Two Component Polyurethane Foam Quick Cure
Two Component Slow Rise (SR) Foam
Fire Resistant Products
Silent Seal
General
Questions
Q.
What is the difference between one-component foam and two-component
foam?
A. One-component foam comes in a single can (or cylinder) and
cures in 10 to 20 minutes through a reaction with moisture in the
atmosphere. Two-component foam comes in a kit with two cans (or
cylinders), each containing separate chemical. Upon activation of the
kit, the chemicals are mixed and dispensed through a specialized
dispensing unit. The cure time is much shorter than one-component foams,
usually within two minutes.
Q. What density ranges are offered in two-component foams?
A. Two-component foams are offered in 1.75 and 2.50 lbs. per cubic
foot ( 28.03 and 40 kgs. per cubic meter) densities. Please
refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. What is the preferred application temperature for foam?
A. The chemical temperature (can or kit) should be around 80
degrees F (27 degrees C) for optimal results. Foam will dispense and
cure down to 40 degrees F (4 degrees C), but yield and cure can be
adversely affected by low temperatures. At the upper end, temperatures
should never exceed 120 degrees F (49 degrees C). Higher temperatures
adversely impact shelf life. Also, for obvious reasons, it is unsafe to
heat pressurized containers beyond the recommended temperatures. Please
refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. What is the temperature range that cured foam can withstand?
A. Cured two-component foam withstands temperatures between -200 degrees F
(-128 degrees C) and +240 degrees F (116 degrees C). Please refer to the
Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. How can I remove foam from my skin?
A. No solvent readily removes cured foam. It is not harmful to skin and
will wear off in a few days. The foam can be scraped off using a pumice
stone or nail file.
Q. How can I remove foam from surfaces other than skin?
A. Since no solvent readily removes cured foam, it normally must be
removed through mechanical abrasion techniques such as scraping or
sanding. Uncured foam can be removed with Handi-Foamclean?, acetone,
or nail polish remover.
Q. Does foam provide a barrier to rodents and insects?
A. Yes. Foam has no nutritional value and thus does not attract
rodents or insects.
Q. Can fungus or mold grow on foam in damp conditions?
A. Foam does not support the growth of mold or fungus.
Q. Is foam resistant to water?
A. Cured foam provides a barrier to moisture. However, over time,
small quantities of water vapor will migrate through the foam. Please
refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. What does the term "UL label" mean?
A. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, which is an
independent, not-for-profit organization that tests consumer and
industrial products for safety and performance.
Q. Can Handi-Foam(R) be used outdoors?
A. Yes, polyurethane foam will resist the elements. However, the
foam will eventually discolor (turn dark yellow) if exposed to UV rays
from the sun. This can be prevented if the foam is coated with paint or
stain.
Q. Can Handi-Foam(R) products be reused?
A. Yes. Instructions are listed below:
Two-component foam - Leave dispensing gun attached to cylinders
and under constant pressure. Always eject the gun nozzle. Cylinder
valves should be turned off; however, do not drain hoses. Fresh chemical
should be dispensed through the dispensing gun every 5 to 7 days to
avoid crystallization within the hoses.
Q. What is a board foot?
A. A board foot is defined as 12" in length x 12" in
width x 1" in thickness of foam coverage. Cubic feet are determined
by dividing board feet by 12. This is similar to stacking twelve pieces
of 12"x12"x1" foam to create one cubic foot of foam -
12"x12"x12".
Q. Do Handi-Foam(R) products contain fire retardants?
A. Yes, nearly all of our products contain a certain amount of
flame retardant. Some products have passed specific flammability tests
which are required in certain applications (i.e., underground mining and
building construction), and thus are referred to as being "fire
rated." These products possess a higher degree of fire resistance
than normal polyurethane foam insulation. Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. Which products are fire-rated?
A. Listed below are the technologies offered by Fomo Products
that meet various fire test specifications.
|
Product
|
Test Specification
|
Application(s)
|
|
Handi-Foam(R)
E-84 Class I
|
ASTM E-84 Tunnel
|
Residential Construction
Commercial/Industrial
Construction
Petrochemical
|
|
Silent Seal? NA
|
ASTM E-162
|
Underground Mining
|
|
Silent Seal? SA
|
CSIR Burn & Smoke
Toxicity
|
Underground Mining
|
|
Handi-Foam(R) B2
|
DIN-B2 (Europe)
|
Where Required
|
Please refer to the
Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
<Back
To Top>
Two-Component
Polyurethane Foam Quick Cure
Q.
What density ranges are offered in two-component foams?
A. Two-component foams are offered in 1.75 and 2.50 lbs.
per cubic foot (28 and 40 kgs per cubic meter) densities.
Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. What is the temperature range that cured foam can withstand?
A. Cured two-component foam withstands temperatures between -200
degrees F (-128 degrees C) and + 240 degrees F (115 degrees C). Please
refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. If I spray a two-component kit, and the foam does not cure, is soft
and spongy, or is crispy to the touch, what went wrong?
A. The kit is probably off-ratio. The components are designed to
dispense 1:1 in volume. Make sure the kit has been thoroughly shaken
before use, and that each tank valve is fully open. Change the gun
nozzle and resume spraying. Proper chemical temperature is also required
for optimum dispensing. Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. Can Handi-Foam(R) products be reused?
A. Yes. Instructions are listed below:
Two-component foam - Leave dispensing gun attached to cylinders
and under constant pressure. Always eject the gun nozzle. Cylinder
valves should be turned off; however, do not drain hoses. Fresh chemical
should be dispensed through the dispensing gun every 5 to 7 days to
avoid crystallization within the hoses.
Q. What kind of coverage (yield) will I receive from a disposable
two-component kit?
A. The product name generally indicates the coverage that can be
expected. For example, a Handi-Foam(R) II-205 kit theoretically provides 205
board feet of coverage. Listed below are the coverages (yields) of a few
common Handi-Foam(R) products. Please refer to the product
information section on this web site or contact Technical
Service for details on any product sizes not listed.
Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
|
Product
|
Density
(lbs/ft3,
kg/m3)
|
Board
Feet
|
Cubic
Feet
|
Cubic
Meters
|
|
II-12
|
1.75, 28.03
|
12
|
1.0
|
0.03
|
|
II-105
|
1.75, 28.03
|
105
|
8.75
|
0.25
|
|
II-205
|
1.75, 28.03
|
205
|
17.0
|
0.48
|
|
II-605
|
1.75, 28.03
|
605
|
50.0
|
1.40
|
Q. What is a board foot?
A. A board foot is defined as 12" in length x 12" in
width x 1" in thickness of foam coverage. Cubic feet are determined
by dividing board feet by 12. This is similar to stacking twelve pieces
of 12"x12"x1" foam to create one cubic foot of foam -
12"x12"x12".
Q. Do Handi-Foam(R) products contain fire retardants?
A. Yes, nearly all of our products contain a certain amount of
flame retardant. Some products have passed specific flammability tests
which are required in certain applications (i.e., underground mining and
building construction), and thus are referred to as being "fire
rated." These products possess a higher degree of fire resistance
than normal polyurethane foam insulation. Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. Which products are fire-rated?
A. Listed below are the technologies offered by Fomo Products
that meet various fire test specifications.
|
Product
|
Test Specification
|
Application(s)
|
|
Handi-Foam(R)
E-84 Class I
|
ASTM E-84 Tunnel
|
Residential Construction
Commercial/Industrial
Construction
Petrochemical
|
|
Silent Seal? NA
|
ASTM E-162
|
Underground Mining
|
|
Silent Seal? SA
|
CSIR Burn & Smoke
Toxicity
|
Underground Mining
|
|
Handi-Foam(R) B2
|
DIN-B2 (Europe)
|
Where Required
|
Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
for formulation specific information and physical properties.
<Back
To Top>
Two-Component
Slow Rise (SR) Foam
Q.
What is the temperature range that cured foam can withstand?
A. Cured two-component foam withstands temperatures between -200
degrees F (-128 degrees C) and +200 degrees F (+93 degrees C). Please
refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. If I spray a two-component kit, and the foam does not cure, is soft
and spongy, or is crispy to the touch, what went wrong?
A. The kit is probably off-ratio. The components are designed to
dispense 1:1 in volume. Make sure the kit has been thoroughly shaken
before use, and that each tank valve is fully open. Change the gun
nozzle and resume spraying. Proper chemical temperature is also required
for optimum dispensing (see above).
Q. Can Handi-Foam(R) products be reused?
A. Yes. Instructions are listed below:
Two-component foam - Leave dispensing gun attached to cylinders
and under constant pressure. Always eject the gun nozzle. Cylinder
valves should be turned off; however, do not drain hoses. Fresh chemical
should be dispensed through the dispensing gun every 5 to 7 days to
avoid crystallization within the hoses.
Q. What is a board foot?
A. A board foot is defined as 12" in length x 12" in
width x 1" in thickness of foam coverage. Cubic feet are determined
by dividing board feet by 12. This is similar to stacking twelve pieces
of 12"x12"x1" foam to create one cubic foot of foam -
12"x12"x12".
Q. If I want to fill a mold or cavity, what type of product should I
purchase, and how much will I need?
A. Handi-Foam(R) Slow Rise two-component foam is specifically
formulated for mold and cavity filling. Its slower reactivity imparts a
high degree of flowability, allowing a mold of any size to be totally
filled. Listed below are some of the Slow Rise products along with their
foam yields. Please consult the technical literature for additional
information and recommendations. Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
|
Product
|
Cubic
Feet*
|
Cubic
Meters*
|
|
II-100 SR
|
7.6
|
0.22
|
|
II-200 SR
|
14.2
|
0.40
|
|
II-600 SR
|
43.7
|
1.24
|
|
SR Refill
Systems
|
128 to 830
|
3.6 to 23.5
|
* Yields shown are
based on a theoretical 2.0 lbs. per cubic foot (32.04 kgs. per cubic
meter) in-place density.
Q. Do Handi-Foam(R) products contain fire retardants?
A. Yes, nearly all of our products contain a certain amount of
flame retardant. Some products have passed specific flammability tests
which are required in certain applications (i.e., underground mining and
building construction), and thus are referred to as being "fire
rated." These products possess a higher degree of fire resistance
than normal polyurethane foam insulation. Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
<Back
To Top>
Fire
Resistant Product
Q. Do Handi-Foam(R) products contain fire retardants?
A. Yes, nearly all of our products contain a certain amount of
flame retardant. Some products have passed specific flammability tests
which are required in certain applications (i.e., underground mining and
building construction), and thus are referred to as being "fire
rated." These products possess a higher degree of fire resistance
than normal polyurethane foam insulation. Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
Q. Which products are fire-rated?
A. Listed below are the technologies offered by Fomo Products
that meet various fire test specifications.
|
Product
|
Test Specification
|
Application(s)
|
|
Handi-Foam(R)
E-84 Class I
|
ASTM E-84 Tunnel
|
Residential Construction
Commercial/Industrial
Construction
Petrochemical
|
|
Silent Seal? NA
|
ASTM E-162
|
Underground Mining
|
|
Silent Seal? SA
|
CSIR Burn & Smoke
Toxicity
|
Underground Mining
|
|
Handi-Foam(R) B2
|
DIN-B2 (Europe)
|
Where Required
|
Please refer to the Technical
Data Sheet (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for
formulation specific information and physical properties.
<Back
To Top>
Silent
Seal
Q. What is the difference between Silent Seal? NA and Silent Seal?
SA?
A. Silent Seal? NA is formulated to meet ASTM E-162 and
MSHA requirements for underground mines in North America. Silent Seal?
SA is formulated to meet South Africa Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) flame, smoke and toxicity testing standards.
It is important to note that Silent Seal? NA is not certified
to pass CSIR requirements, and Silent Seal? SA is not certified
to pass ASTM/MSHA requirements.
Q. What does the name "Silent Seal" refer to?
A. Reduction of wind noise as a result of effectively sealing air
leaks around stoppings.
Q. What is the highest temperature Silent Seal? reaches as it cures?
A. At 2" (5.08 cm.) thickness, the maximum exothermic
temperature, taken from the core, is 219 degrees F (104 degrees C). At
6" (15.24 cm.) thickness, the maximum is 288 degrees F (142 degrees
C). These temperatures are well below those required [> 900 degrees F
(500 degrees C)] to make the foam smolder or spontaneously combust.
Q. What is the temperature range in which Silent Seal? should be
applied?
A. Silent Seal's optimum application temperature is 75 degrees F
(24 degrees C), but it may be sprayed onto colder or warmer substrates
[50 degrees F to 100 degrees F (10 degrees C to 38 degrees C)] with
slight effects to the curing time. Cured foam is resistant to heat and
cold [-200 degrees F to +200 degrees F (-129 degrees C to +93 degrees
C)] and to aging.
Q. What is the temperature range in which the product should be stored?
A. Store in a cool, dry area. Ideal storage temperature is 60
degrees F to 80 degrees F (15.5 degrees C to 26.6 degrees C). Do not
expose to open flame or temperatures above 120 degrees F (49 degrees C).
Q. What safety equipment is required for underground use?
A. Personal protective equipment should include safety eyewear,
chemical resistant gloves, and long-sleeve work clothes. Adequate
ventilation should also be employed so that vapor levels do not exceed
recommended Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
guidelines. If vapor levels are expected to exceed these guidelines, use
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH)/Mine
Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) approved, positive pressure
supplied air respirator.
Q. What is an adequate level of ventilation?
A. This can be determined solely on a case-by-case basis; we can
only offer practical considerations and guidelines. Generally, if there
is adequate airflow (i.e., movement of air can be felt on skin) in the
application area, respirators should not be necessary. If a large amount
of foam is going to be dispensed for a long period of time in a tight
space with minimal airflow, then a respirator or supplied air might be
appropriate.
Q. How do I dispose of a kit once I am done with it?
A. Relieve pressure from the cylinders by fully dispensing the
kit. Dispose of kit per local regulatory guidelines.
Q. What advantages does the polyisocyanurate formulation provide?
A. The isocyanurate chemistry provides a very high degree of
flame resistance.
Q. Why is the Silent Seal? initially "crunchy" as it cures?
A. That is the isocyanurate chemistry at work. Large molecular
rings are being formed as the foam cures, giving the surface a crunchy
feel for a short period of time. When the reactions are complete, these
giant rings act as heat sinks during combustion. They absorb heat from a
fire, and therefore suppress flame propagation by "cooling"
the combustion process.
Q. Is Silent Seal? environmentally sensitive?
A. Silent Seal? is designed within the guidelines of the 1987
Montreal Protocol for protection of the ozone layer, utilizing a
non-flammable blowing agent to assist in the safety of the end user. The
cured foam is inert and safe to touch. In fact, one can eat it without
ill effect (we don't recommend this!). An important note: This product
DOES NOT contain formaldehyde.
Q. To what surfaces does Silent Seal? adhere?
A. Silent Seal? adheres to coal, slate, brattice, cement, wood,
and most other substrates. It does not adhere well to surfaces such as
polyethylene, Teflon, silicone, oils, greases, mold release agents and
similar materials.
Q. How effective is the adhesion to surfaces like galvanized steel?
A. Silent Seal? sticks tenaciously to galvanized steel Kennedy
stoppings, even dirty ones that are being reused.
Q. Do I need to prepare the substrate prior to application?
A. Substrate must be firm, free of loose particles, grease and
mold release agents.
Q. What is an effective spraying technique?
A. The gun should be held at an angle to the gap being filled.
The foam expands to fill the gap, so initially a minimum amount should
be applied.
Q. What are the packaging features of Silent Seal? ?
A. Some of the patent-pending features include: perforated box
for easy opening; factory-attached hoses (reduced labor/aggravation);
handle secured to cylinder collars (able to carry kit even if box gets
wet or damaged); kit does not have to be turned upside-down to operate
(unlike competitors); self-contained kit (easier to transport to next
application); more nozzles per kit than competitors.
Q. What are the specific approvals for Silent Seal? NA?
A. Silent Seal? NA has been found suitable according to Mine
Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) standards, Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 30, Sections 75.333 (Ventilation Controls) and 75.335
(Construction of Seals). It also meets American Society for Testing
& Materials (ASTM) E-162 requirements.
Q. What are the requirements of American Society for Testing &
Materials (ASTM) E-162?
A. Flame Spread Index
≤ 25. (Silent Seal? NA index = 2)
Q. What are the specific approvals for Silent Seal? SA?
A. Silent Seal? SA meets South Africa Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research (CSIR) flame, smoke and toxicity testing
standards.
Q. What do the CSIR tests consist of?
A. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research conducts
burn and smoke toxicity on materials to be used in mines. The material
must pass the following three burn tests: smoldering combustion ("punking"),
large-scale horizontal flame spread, and large-scale vertical flame
spread. In addition, the sealant must pass a smoke toxicity test
(British Naval Standard 713), wherein the combustion gases from a
burning piece of foam are analyzed for the levels of toxic gases. The
foam sealant must give a value that is less than half the toxicity of
burning wood or coal.
Q. How is Silent Seal? different from other foams?
A. Silent Seal? SA has a distinct bright yellow color, passes
all Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) burn and smoke
toxicity tests, and has a patent-pending "user friendly"
packaging and dispensing concept.
|
