How To Glue The Styrofoam? How Can You Glue Sheets Together At Home Quickly? What Is The Best Glue For Solid Foam?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

In modern construction and a number of other areas, a material such as expanded polystyrene is now widely used. At the same time, one of the key points in performing the relevant work is the correct selection of adhesives. We are talking about a fairly wide range of products from leading manufacturers in the industry. These materials are mounted on a variety of surfaces: concrete, wood, metal, plastic and others. In addition, it is important to know what exactly, and how to properly glue the foam sheets together. Despite the apparent simplicity, the choice of glue has a number of nuances, and directly determines the results of the work.

Dry mix overview

In this case, we mean modern plaster and adhesive mixtures. They go on sale most often packaged in large packages weighing up to 30 kg. Before using powders in order to glue one foam panel to another, it must be diluted with water according to the manufacturer's instructions . The basis of such adhesives is made up of cement, gypsum, and polymer components. Visually described mixtures are similar to plaster or putty, but the result of their use in terms of the level of fixation is much better.

One of the key competitive advantages of dry mixes for connecting foam products to each other can be safely called versatility. The point is that such glue is equally successfully used when performing both external and internal work.

An important performance characteristic is high adhesion to concrete and other solid surfaces

In addition to direct bonding of panels, the material is widely used for sealing cracks, leveling the base, and filling seams and joints. As practice shows, with proper preparation of solutions, the consumption of the mixture is up to 2 kg per 1 m2. The key condition for reliable adhesion of surfaces is their high-quality processing, including thorough cleaning, drying and priming. It is worth noting that such compositions are used both on large construction sites and during repair work at home.

The performance properties of dry adhesives depend primarily on how correctly they are prepared.

So, it is important to gradually pour in the liquid with continuous and vigorous stirring. Otherwise, lumps will form in the finished solution.

Another feature of the use of such compositions is the different ways of applying them to the glued surfaces.

Today, the following most popular samples of powder adhesive mixtures for expanded polystyrene can be distinguished

• CT-83 glue of the Ceresit brand.
• Perlfix by Knauf.
• Dry mix "Avangard-K".
• Primus glue.
• Volma brand products.
• Dry composition Armierungs-Gewebekleber.

It is worth noting that Avangard-K is successfully used for outdoor work, including gluing foam sheets together. The manufacturer offers, among other things, frost-resistant mixtures. And also in the above list should be included Bergauf ISOFIX - an adhesive that contains plasticizers that greatly improve all the key properties of the material.

Liquid and foamed preparations

First of all, attention should be paid to polyurethane foam adhesives. They are able to provide a strong and reliable connection to all existing types of plastics . And it is also important for gluing foam and attaching it to different bases. In the first case, we are talking about specialized products, on the packaging of which there is a corresponding mark "for expanded polystyrene".

The key competitive advantages of this glue are the maximum simplicity and ease of use. And also do not forget about the high speed of installation work. An equally important point is a small consumption of material (the balloon is enough for 10-15 "squares").

Foamed preparations are also characterized by:

• increased moisture resistance;
• resistance to low temperatures (do not freeze);
• high adhesion;
• no need to prepare a working mixture;
• maximum indicators of the quality of adhesion, which manifests itself after 30 minutes;
• quick response (it is necessary to press the connected elements for only 20 seconds).

Analyzing the performance properties of liquid products, first of all it is necessary to mention the legendary PVA . The main advantages of polyvinyl acetate are its low cost and availability. Often this adhesive is used even when working with extruded foam. The obvious disadvantages include, first of all, the low reliability of the connection. At the same time, the composition effectively fills all voids and surface defects. Modern craftsmen in their work most often use PVA-MB and "Moment Joiner".

The next popular glue for expanded polystyrene is polyurethane foam. On the one hand, its main purpose is to seal cracks, joints and seams, as well as to strengthen various structures. At the same time, modern builders often use foam as a fastening material. However, it is worth considering the following most important points.

1. In the process of curing, the foam composition noticeably increases in volume, which in itself can be potentially dangerous for foam sheets.
2. Voids may form during foam polymerization.
3. Quite a large consumption of material per square meter. It will be significantly reduced by applying foam using special "pistols".
4. The composition dries quite quickly, which provides for the appropriate speed of work.

Today, liquid nails are also popular. It is important here to take into account the relatively high cost of such an adhesive. At the same time, the results of its application can exceed all expectations. Key benefits include:

• the convenience of use;
• long service life;
• adhesion;
• connection reliability.

Top manufacturers

At the moment, many leading manufacturers of the industry offer on the market adhesives of various categories for working with expanded polystyrene sheets. One of the segment leaders is the world famous Ceresit brand , under which more than a wide range of related products is produced. Its main competitive advantages include:

• moisture resistance;
• ease of use and speed of work;
• versatility due to the possibility of using both for exterior decoration of buildings and indoors.

The next undisputed leader is Knauf brand … The products of this company are distinguished by the maximum reliability of the created connections. In addition, it is worth focusing on such important points as:

• versatility;
• the speed of drying of the compositions;
• frost resistance;
• water resistance.

For outdoor work, experienced professionals recommend using adhesive mixtures " Master Thermol" or "Master Super " … The choice of a specific option is determined individually, taking into account the operating conditions.

A special place in the list of the most common adhesives for foam is Tytan brand products … In particular, we are talking about a foamed agent Styro-753 , which has proven itself exclusively on the positive side. The setting time of the composition takes no more than 30 minutes, which significantly speeds up the work. It is possible to use foam for gluing sheets of expanded polystyrene at temperatures from 0 to +30 degrees.

No less popular today are mixtures (dry, liquid and in the form of foam) produced under the brand "Moment " … The main plus is the optimal ratio of price and quality. In addition to all of the above, it is worth highlighting also high-quality polyurethane foam "TechnoNIKOL "used for bonding foam.

Criterias of choice

Selecting and purchasing the most suitable adhesive may seem like a fairly straightforward process. However, we often have to face certain difficulties. Of course, such problems are relevant mainly for those who have little experience in performing the relevant work. That is why it is worth considering exactly what criteria will be key in the selection of mixtures for joining foam sheets.

First of all, when choosing, it is strongly recommended to pay attention to the following important points

1. The absence of substances in the mixtures that can affect the structure of the panels to be glued. These are solvents that literally burn polystyrene foam as a result of the reaction.
2. Operating conditions. We are talking about outdoor and indoor work.
3. Features of the sheets to be glued (specific type of material and its characteristics).

Application method

If possible, you should choose a drug that can glue the foam sheets quickly and with maximum convenience. As an example, we can cite the connection of parts of crafts from the described material within the framework of children's creativity using PVA glue in small tubes equipped with a special brush. In such situations, even a small child will be able to independently perform all the necessary operations.

If we are talking about connecting large-sized objects, then it will be convenient to use aerosol products. Key benefits in this case will be easy spraying of the adhesive and uniform coverage of all surfaces to be treated. When performing large-scale facade work, dry mixes will be the best option in terms of the method of application.

Another convenient and effective way of gluing expanded polystyrene panels is to use polyurethane mastic . However, in this case, one of the determining factors will be the cost of the material, which is significantly higher than the price of powder products. The paste is applied to the surface pointwise and kept a little, but it is not brought to a solid state, after which it remains only to articulate the two elements. The main advantages are the most durable connection of foam products, as well as the versatility of polyurethane mixtures. They are successfully used when installing the material in question on any surface.

Compound

In this case, it is important to remember such a determining factor as the presence in the formula of universal adhesives of components that negatively affect the foam. So, expanded polystyrene, with a high probability, can suffer (literally melt) if the composition of the glue contains alcohols, solvents and other ingredients similar to them in properties. They are able to make through holes in the sheets to be glued, which will require replacement of panels and other products.

In view of the above, it is strongly recommended to carefully study the composition of the glue at the selection stage. In addition, it will be useful in preparation to test the purchased product on small fragments of foam.

It will be enough to apply a small amount of the mixture to the sample and wait a few minutes . As a rule, negative reactions appear rather quickly.

Scope of the material

Today, the scope of application of all kinds of elements made of different types of expanded polystyrene is more than wide. It is she who determines the choice of the appropriate mastics for gluing such parts, taking into account the operating conditions in each specific case . For example, purchasing expensive aerosols is often a waste of money. At the same time, the use of cheaper dry mixes will not always be a rational solution. So, when connecting individual parts of crafts, experts recommend considering universal preparations.

In situations where it is necessary to glue the foam part or products to cardboard and paper, then high-quality polyvinyl acetate, that is, PVA, will be quite enough. Such glue is considered to be basic, since it is able to quite easily connect the indicated surfaces and materials.

One of its indisputable advantages, and, consequently, competitive advantages, is the maximum safety of the composition. That is why PVA glue is widely and successfully used in children's art.

If we are talking about performing work in which the strength of the joints is at the forefront, then a choice should be made in favor of compositions that can provide the appropriate indicators. In such cases, it makes sense to give preference to aerosols, foamed preparations and liquid nails.