TIP OF THE MONTH: WORKING WITH
CONTACT ADHESIVES
Stephen Boulton, Technical Service Manager for F. Ball and Co. Ltd., shares tips about when and how contact adhesives can be used to adhere floorcoverings.
Solvent-free contact adhesives Solvent-free contact adhesives provide an alternative to conventional solvent-based products, minimising the level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted during installation. The low VOC emissions of solvent-free contact adhesives make them particularly suitable for use in sensitive environments such as hospitals and schools. When contractors are working in difficult situations and might need additional time to bond surfaces together, there are some solvent-free contact adhesives that can be reactivated with heat.
Contact adhesives are widely used because of their easy application, high bond strength, fast setting and excellent adhesion properties. Contact adhesives create instant bonds between surfaces, with quick drying times and a high bond strength that makes them suitable not only for conventional floorcoverings but also vertical applications such as stairs, steps, covings and nosings.
A key advantage of contact adhesives is that they provide high initial tack. However, contractors must take care to ensure that they correctly apply the adhesive; as coated surfaces bond immediately on contact, care needs to be taken in positioning the substrates prior to contact since re-positioning is nearly impossible. Once the bond has been made, it is typically pressed or rolled to ensure complete contact.
As always, proper subfloor preparation is essential to ensure the adhesive is as effective as possible. Surfaces must be sound, smooth, dry (<75% RH) and free from laitance and any contaminants which will affect adhesion. The temperature of the floor must be maintained above 5o application and drying of the adhesive.
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The formation of an ‘instant’ bond, makes contact adhesives particularly suitable for use on stairs and steps and vertical surfaces.
Solvent-based contact adhesives Solvent-based products are a popular choice when selecting a contact adhesive as they dry faster and allow bonds to be made more quickly. Solvent-based contact adhesives are also typically more tolerant of surface contamination. As they contain flammable solvent, proper care must be taken for safe handling.
18 | TIP OF THE MONTH
Heavy Duty contact adhesives Heavy duty contact adhesives are made up of both solvent and solvent-free elements. Heavy Duty contact adhesives are more resilient than general contact adhesives, making them suitable for environments where floorcoverings will be subjected to the demands of increased foot traffic and cleaning routines.
Contact adhesives are ideally suited for situations where there are vertical stairs or when the space is awkward to apply adhesive to. Once the subfloor has been suitably prepared, flooring contractors should take time to ensure that they correctly select and install the appropriate type of contact adhesive.
www.f-ball.com www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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