Adheseal PU-50FC Polyurethane Adhesive Sealant

Frequently Asked Questions About Adheseal PU-50FC

Applications Where Adheseal PU-50FC Excels:

• High-Security Sealing (Anti-Pick): Ideal for correctional facilities, schools, public amenities, and areas prone to vandalism, thanks to its exceptional toughness and pick resistance.
• Structural Bonding in Construction: Bonding facade panels, curtain wall elements, and various construction materials where a high-strength, flexible adhesive is required.
• Automotive & Marine Manufacturing: Sealing and bonding truck bodies, bus assemblies, boat hulls (including below waterline applications once cured), and other vehicular components subject to vibration and movement.
• Heavy-Duty Floor & Pavement Joints: Sealing expansion and contraction joints in concrete pavements, car parks, driveways, and industrial floors due to its high abrasion resistance and flexibility.
• Metal Fabrication: Sealing and bonding aluminium components, bolted lap joints, and other metal structures where a durable, non-corrosive, and flexible bond is needed.
• Demanding Engineering Applications: Suitable for a wide range of mechanical engineering tasks requiring a sealant/adhesive with high mechanical strength, tear resistance, and durability.
• Sealing Seams & Joints in Hostile Environments: Effective for sealing seams and creating durable joints on display signs or structures exposed to aggressive weather conditions.
• Bonding XPS Foam Core Panels: Specifically suited for creating strong, reliable bonds with XPS foam core reinforced sandwich panels used in various construction applications.

Top Benefits of Using Adheseal PU-50FC on Your Projects:

• Unrivalled Toughness & Security: Its high Shore A hardness (approx. 55) and tear resistance deliver exceptional anti-pick performance and resistance to vandalism and mechanical damage, ensuring long-term integrity in secure or aggressive environments.
• Powerful Structural Adhesion with Flexibility: Combines the strength of a structural adhesive (1.7 MPa tensile strength) with significant movement capability (±25%), creating robust bonds that withstand vibration, impact, and thermal cycling.
• Accelerated Project Timelines: The Fast Curing (FC) formulation and excellent green strength mean quicker handling of bonded parts and faster return to service for sealed joints, boosting overall productivity.
• Versatility for Demanding Applications: From below-waterline marine use to high-traffic pavement joints and structural panel bonding, PU-50FC provides a single, reliable solution for a multitude of challenging tasks across diverse industries.
• Long-Term Durability & Resilience: Engineered for harsh conditions with excellent resistance to weathering, water, many chemicals, abrasion, mould, and mildew, ensuring your work lasts.
• Paintable & Aesthetically Adaptable: Can be painted with a variety of common paint types (after testing), allowing for colour matching and seamless integration with surrounding finishes where aesthetics are important.
• Environmentally Considerate Choice: A non-toxic, low VOC formulation that meets "Green Star" environmental criteria, contributing to healthier workspaces and sustainable building practices.

Step-by-Step Application Guide for Adheseal PU-50FC:

Note: This is a summary. Always refer to the full Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before use. Meticulous surface preparation and correct joint design are critical for performance.

1. Surface Preparation is Paramount:
   • Ensure substrates are structurally sound, completely clean, dry, and free of all contaminants (dust, oils, grease, laitance, old sealant, form release agents, curing compounds etc.).
   • Concrete must be cured for at least 28 days.
   • Use the two-wipe process with a recommended solvent (e.g., Xylene) for non-porous surfaces.
   • Mask adjacent surfaces with tape for neat joint lines if required.
2. Priming (If Required):
   • For non-porous substrates (aluminium, PVC, powder coat, etc.): Lightly abrade, clean, then apply Adheseal 50A surface prep. Allow 30 mins - 2 hours to dry before applying sealant.
   • For porous substrates (concrete, brick, etc.): Apply Everflex Supaprime by brush. Allow 30 mins - 2 hours to dry. Avoid over-application.
   • Always conduct an adhesion test, especially for critical applications or difficult substrates.
3. Joint Design & Backing Material:
   • Ensure correct joint dimensions (2:1 width:depth ratio, min. 5mm W/D internal, 12mm external).
   • Insert Adhefoam open-cell foam backing rod (25% larger than joint width) to control sealant depth and prevent three-sided adhesion. Alternatively, use bond breaker tape for shallow joints.
4. Application (Sausage):
   • Apply when temperatures are between 5°C and 40°C. [cite: 3, 5]
   • Cut the sausage end, fit into a heavy-duty sausage gun, and attach the nozzle.
   • As a Sealant: Cut nozzle at a 45° angle. Hold gun at 45° and push sealant ahead of the nozzle, ensuring full contact with both joint sides and no air entrapment.
   • As an Adhesive: Cut nozzle at 90° to bead width, then cut a V-notch (wedge) twice the height of the bead width. Apply a triangular bead. Assemble parts within the working time, compressing the bead to no less than 2mm.
5. Tooling & Finishing:
   • Tool the sealant with a moistened (soapy water can be used sparingly) spatula within approximately 5-10 minutes of application, before the skin forms, to ensure good contact and a smooth finish.
   • If masking tape was used, remove it immediately while the sealant is still wet.
6. Clean-Up:
   • Clean uncured sealant from tools and spills immediately using Xylene.
   • Cured sealant must be removed mechanically (e.g., scraping, cutting).
   • For skin, use Adheseal Hand Wipes.
7. Curing:
   • Allow sealant to cure fully. Cure rate is approx. 3-4mm per 24 hours. [cite: 4, 5] Full strength and properties develop over several days. Protect from damage and contaminants during cure.
   • Requires atmospheric moisture; will not cure in totally confined spaces.

Important Limitations & Safety When Using Adheseal PU-50FC:

Product Limitations:

• Totally Confined Spaces: PU-50FC requires atmospheric humidity to cure and will not cure if completely confined without access to air. [cite: 2]
• Specific Wet Area Exclusions: Not suitable for aquariums or internal swimming pool applications. Avoid exposure to chlorine levels above 5ppm. [cite: 2] (Note: Suitable for general below-waterline marine use once cured). [cite: 1]
• Mirror Bonding & Structural Glazing: Not recommended for adhering mirrors (use Adheseal Hi-Power/MS609 after testing) or for structural glazing applications (use Adheseal N-80 or N-60 silicones). [cite: 2]
• Natural Stone: Always complete a stain testing program before using on any natural stone. Adheseal S100 is generally recommended for marble/granite after testing. [cite: 2]
• Metal Compatibility: May discolour copper and brass. [cite: 2] It is non-corrosive to most other common metals. [cite: 1]
• Chemical Exposure During Cure: Avoid exposing uncured sealant to materials containing cleaning agents, solvents, or alcohol, as these may affect or discolour it. [cite: 2]
• Incompatible Substrates: Do not use on bituminous surfaces, natural rubber, EPDM rubber, or any materials that might leach oils, plasticisers, or solvents. [cite: 2]
• Moisture Vapour Transmission & Air Entrapment: Avoid application if moisture vapour is emanating from the substrate or if air entrapment can occur, as this may cause bubbling. [cite: 2]
• White Colour & UV: White PU-50FC tends to discolour/yellow slightly when exposed to prolonged UV rays. This is primarily aesthetic and does not typically affect performance. [cite: 2, 4]

Safety First – Protecting Yourself and Your Workspace:

• Refer to SDS: Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for Adheseal PU-50FC before use for complete health and safety information.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear suitable PPE, including safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., Nitrile Rubber for intermittent contact), and protective clothing. [cite: 5]
• Ventilation: Use with adequate ventilation. If inhalation risk exists (e.g., confined spaces, large volume use), wear an organic vapour/particulate respirator meeting AS/NZS 1715 & AS/NZS 1716. [cite: 5]
• Hygiene: Avoid skin and eye contact. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and before eating, drinking, or smoking. Wash contaminated clothing before re-use. [cite: 5]
• First Aid Essentials (Summary - refer to SDS for full details): Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention. [cite: 5] Skin Contact: Wash immediately with soap and water. [cite: 5] Eye Contact: Rinse opened eye for several minutes under running water, then consult a doctor. [cite: 5] Ingestion: Do NOT induce vomiting. Seek medical advice. [cite: 5] If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre (Australia 131 126; New Zealand 0800 764 766). [cite: 5]

Adheseal PU-50FC Adhesion Profile – Compatible & Acceptable Substrates:

Adheseal PU-50FC exhibits excellent adhesion to a wide range of common building and manufacturing materials. For optimal performance, especially in critical applications, priming and surface preparation are key. Always conduct a preliminary adhesion test.

• Cementitious Materials (Concrete, Renders, Mortars): Excellent adhesion. Concrete must be cured for at least 28 days. Prime with Everflex Supaprime for best results.
• Brick & Masonry: Strong adhesion. Prime porous surfaces with Everflex Supaprime.
• Metals (Aluminium, Steel, Galvanised Steel, Stainless Steel): Excellent adhesion. Non-corrosive to most. Clean thoroughly and pre-treat with Adheseal 50A surface prep, especially for aluminium and stainless steel. (Avoid direct contact with untreated copper and brass as discolouration may occur).
• Powder Coated Metals: Good adhesion generally, but a preliminary adhesion test and surface preparation (e.g., slight abrasion + Adheseal 50A) are strongly suggested due to variability in powder coat finishes.
• Timber & Wood: Good adhesion to most wood types. Ensure timber is dry and sound. Priming may be beneficial for oily timbers or for enhanced durability.
• Glass & Ceramics (Glazed Tiles): Good adhesion. Clean thoroughly. For glazed tiles, pre-treat with Adheseal 50A after light abrasion.
• Fibreglass (GRP/FRP): Bonds well. Ensure surface is clean, abraded, and solvent wiped for best results, particularly in marine applications.
• Plastics (e.g., PVC, Epoxy Substrates): Adhesion varies with plastic type. For PVC, pre-treat with Adheseal 50A after light abrasion. An adhesion test is always advised for plastics. Not suitable for EPDM rubber or materials that leach oils/plasticisers.
• Waterproof Membranes: Compatibility and adhesion should be confirmed with a test. For some non-porous membranes, Adheseal 50A surface prep may be suitable.
• Painted Surfaces: Adhesion is generally good to sound, well-bonded paint. Test for compatibility and ensure old, flaking paint is removed.
• Stone: Adhesion is possible, but a stain testing program is recommended before using any sealant on natural stone to avoid aesthetic issues. Adheseal S100 is typically recommended for marble/granite after testing.