Quadrant Urethane Technologies

QuadFoam® 500 & QuadFoam® 2.0

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
QuadFoam® 500 and QuadFoam® 2.0 are 2 component spray applied polyurethane
foam insulation, air barrier and vapor retarder materials. QuadFoam® 500 is applied at
a nominal density of 0.5 lb./cu. ft. QuadFoam® 2.0 is applied at a nominal density of 2
lb./cu.ft. QuadFoam® 500 and QuadFoam® 2.0 are approved for use in residential and
commercial construction, for interior applications both above and below grade.
QuadFoam® 500 and 2.0 can be applied in wall cavities, on flat walls, floor assemblies,
ceiling assemblies, attics and crawlspaces. QuadFoam® 2.0 is approved for exterior
applications as well and must be protected from weather and UV exposure. Several
grades of QuadFoam® 2.0 are available for use year round; Regular, Winter and
ArticSeal®.

6.1 Appearance:

• QuadFoam® “Part A” is a brown liquid; QuadFoam® “Part B” is a tan liquid

and when mixed/sprayed and cured, the resulting foam is a homogenous
cream colored solid.

6.2 Storage:

• The QuadFoam® “Part A” & “Part B” should be stored between 60 to 85˚F.

• QuadFoam® has a 12 month shelf life when properly stored.

6.3 Mixing:

• QuadFoam® 2.0 does not require any mixing or recirculation prior to or during
Application, as this will cause frothing in the drum.

• QuadFoam® 500 must be mixed and or recirculated prior to application. Continue

mild agitation throughout application process.

6.4 Changeover:

• Before spraying QuadFoam®, you should purge any previous material from your
system by slowly pumping it in to the correct A-side and B-side drum. It is important
not to mix different “Part A” and or “Part B” products, whether from Quadrant or
other manufacturers.

• Turn off and disconnect air to all transfer pumps.

• Remove the drum pumps from the “Part A” and “Part B” drums and wipe
pump/dip tube clean. Also make sure the drum pump housing is emptied of any
“Part B”.
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 • Place the drum pumps/dip tubes in to the QuadFoam® drums.
.
• Re-connect or turn on the air to the drum pumps.

• Use the drum pumps to purge the hoses of the “Part A” and “Part B” materials
back to their corresponding drums or in to containers for re-use. Watch for a
color change or other indications; approximately 1-2 gallons of materials are
purged, depending on length of hose.

• Remember to also remove the old material from the circulation hoses
before spraying as pressure relief later may cause contamination.

• Always check and clean the strainer screens prior to spraying.

NOTE: If the initial foam sprayed shows curling, shrinkage, color streaks or other
issues, then re-purge the hose prior to continued spraying.

• You are now able to spray QuadFoam®.

• Follow the same procedure every time you change foam systems.

6.5 Drum Temperature:

• During processing, both the QuadFoam® “Part A” and “Part B” drum temperatures
need to be in the range of 60 to 85˚F.

6.6 Proportioner Temperatures:

• The primary A and B heaters as well as the hose heat for all QuadFoam®
products should be set between 90ºF to135ºF for best results.

• The temperature settings are a guideline, and substrate temperatures may

require temperature settings outside of these parameters.

• If the ambient temperature is high: then reduce the A & B side heater and hose
temperatures gradually.

• If the ambient temperature is low: increase all temperatures gradually.

6.7 Humidity:

• Care should be taken whenever the relative humidity rises above 80%

• High relative humidity can cause blistering and weaken foam adhesion.

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6.8 Application:

• Experienced sprayers should find that QuadFoam® sprays the same or

better than other products they are used to. First time users of QuadFoam®
should contact Quadrant Technical Services or an authorized Distributor for
guidance.

• QuadFoam® 500 may be sprayed in practical lifts/passes, 1-12 inches are typical.

• QuadFoam® 2.0 may be sprayed in a maximum of 3 inch lifts/passes. For multiple

lifts/passes, Quadrant recommends waiting at least 30 min before applying the
next lift/pass. For more than 2 lifts/passes, greater waiting time intervals may be
required to avoid excessive heat build in the foam.

• A minimum foam thickness of 1 inch is required or adhesion to the

substrate may be disaffected.

6.9 General Applications Guidelines:

The following areas are suitable for the installation of QuadFoam®:

• All wall, ceiling and floor spaces for the purpose of thermal insulation and
air leakage control.

• It may be applied directly to wood, metal, masonry and concrete substrates.

• It may be applied in single and multi-family residential buildings,

commercial, industrial, institutional, and agricultural buildings of any type.

• It may be applied above or below grade; interior or exterior.

• Air sealing and insulating of attic and crawl spaces.

The following areas are not recommended for QuadFoam®:

• For roofing applications where the material is applied above the roof decking.

• Exterior applications where the material is exposed to ambient weather or UV

exposure.

Whenever a proposed application is beyond the scope of this Guide, then contact
Quadrant Urethane Technologies or an authorized distributor for additional
guidance.

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6.10 Troubleshooting:
The most common reasons for substandard material are mix or technique related:

• Mix related problems are a result of any one or both of the following :

1. Temperature: uneven temperatures of components A and B during

application or insufficient heat in the drums.

2. Pressures: too low pressure, uneven pressures of components A and B,

or uneven temperatures of the components which lead to one component
developing a higher pressure than the other and poor mixing.

• Spray technique related problems are a result of any one of the following:

1. Distance: holding the gun too close to the substrate when spraying tends
to blow material and air into the rising foam as you overlap to build
thickness, and causes dripping when spraying overhead, holding the spray
gun too far away from the surface allows the outer edges of the spray
pattern to fall on part of the foam that is done expanding, making it a higher
density material with a rough, popcorn like finish and lower yield, which also
makes it difficult to cover when applying a coating over it.

2. Gun speed: moving the spray gun too slow causes the foam to ripple
making a rough foam surface, affecting the density, cell structure and
yield, and may also lead to dripping when spraying overhead.

6.11 Material Trouble Shooting:

Good Material classification:

• Color: cream, uniform and no streaks

• Cell structure: uniform, small and tight.

• Skin: smooth, orange peel like and dense

• Density: Nominal per product type

These characteristics should be observed whenever spraying QuadFoam®.

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 Poor material classification:

“PART A” Rich: – the resulting foam will be a brown color or have color streaks
and may exhibit signs of shrinkage, be friable and may have a musty smell.

“PART B” Rich: – the resulting foam will be a darker color or have color streaks
and may exhibit signs of shrinkage, flexible or soft to the touch and may be
tacky/sticky.

Poor material can be corrected or avoided by following some basic troubleshooting

techniques. These are mainly preventive measures that ensure good quality material:

• Follow recommended storage conditions.

• Temperature control storage and trailers, Heat blankets (use band heaters with
caution due to possible over heating concerns) on the drums may be necessary
to aid the pre-heating and to maintain the drum temperature during processing.
When using heaters, be careful not to exceed the recommended drum
temperatures which can cause frothing in the QuadFoam® 2.0 “Part B” drum.

• Do not open the “Part A” drums until needed. Avoid airborne moisture from getting
into the “Part A” drum which will lead to crystallization. Crystallization can clog
filter screens and may damage equipment and spray guns.

• Do not open the QuadFoam® 2.0 “Part B” drums until needed. Excessive blowing
agent loss may occur resulting in loss of yield and poor quality foam.

• The hose thermocouple unit should be within the same environment as the spray
gun, ensuring a more accurate and even delivery of the heated material
components.

6.12 Environmental issues:

6.12.1 Ambient conditions:

• QuadFoam® 2.0 may be sprayed at ambient/substrate temperatures between

15°F and 180°F, based on selected grade – Regular, Winter or ArticSeal®.

• QuadFoam® 500 may be sprayed at ambient/substrate temperatures between

25°F and 180°F.

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6.12.2 Wind:

• Overspray will stick to almost any substrate, so care must be taken to seal up the
spray area when applying material in locations that are subject to wind or air
movement, especially when greater than 10mph.

6.12.3 Wet Surfaces:

• Wet or saturated substrates will cause bubbling in the foam, reduced foam
properties and poor adhesion. Surfaces should be clean and dry.

6.12.4 Flash of cold surfaces:

• Cold substrates may require a flash lift. Flashing is applying a thin layer of foam
to the cold substrate, warming and insulating the substrate; and then applying a
second normal pass. Flashing will use extra material.

6.12.5 Metals:

• All metals must be clean, dust, rust, loose scale and oil free prior to foam
application

• Galvanized steel should be cleaned with degreaser, dried and a suitable primer
applied

• Aluminum should be not be cleaned with caustic solutions and be primed prior
to the application to prevent corrosion.

• Stainless steel surfaces should be cleaned with mineral spirits or xylene and
then primed. In some cases, it may be necessary to sandblast.

• In some cases, regardless of metal type, it may be necessary to sandblast and

prime prior to foam application.

6.12.6 Concrete:

• Concrete must be dry on the surface before applying spray polyurethane foam.
An adhesion test should be performed prior to commencing application.

6.12.7 Wood, gypsum board and fiberboard:

• The moisture content of wood, gypsum or fiberboard should be less than 19%.
Special care should be taken in case of composite/laminates. Most have “wax like”
surface treatments and adhesion of the insulation to the substrate may be
disaffected. Sanding, cleaning with mineral spirits and or priminig may be required.

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6.12.8 Pre-painted Substrates

• An adhesion test should be performed prior to commencing application.

• When the adhesion is uncertain or poor, the paint should be sanded and or
primed prior to commencing foam application.

6.12.9 Glass

• Except for cleaning, no special preparation is required for glass.

6.12.10 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

• Polyvinyl Chloride products contain plasticizer, which imparts flexibility and impact
resistance. However, excess or high levels of plasticizer, typical to flexible and
sheet products, may cause adhesion issue. Rigid PVC products like pipe have low
levels of plasticizer.

• An adhesion test should be performed prior to application to PVC products

especially to flexible polyvinyl chloride such as sheathing. When the adhesion is
uncertain or poor, the pvc should be cleaned with mineral spirits and or primed
prior to commencing foam application

6.12.11 Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) — ABS surface should be cleaned

with mineral spirit and primed.

6.12.12 Polypropylene and Polyethylene

• Adhesion of spray polyurethane foam to these two plastics is extremely poor. The
only practical way to apply the insulation is to provide some sort of mechanical
attachment to the substrate, such as wire, brackets, nails, brick strapping etc.

6.12.13 Asphalt and Tar

• Spray polyurethane foam should not be applied over fresh asphalt or tar.

• An adhesion test should be performed prior to application to asphalt or tar

products/surfaces. When the adhesion is uncertain or poor, clean with mineral
spirits and or prime prior to commencing foam application. Contact Quadrant for
more details.

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6.12.14 Primed Surfaces

• Many primers are solvent or water-borne and adequate time for the complete
evaporation of the solvent or water should be allowed prior to application of the
foam.

6.12.15 Spray Polyurethane Foam

• Areas that show ultraviolet degradation, chalking and or yellowing, should be

sanded or wire brushed prior to the application of more insulation.

6.12.16 Soils

• No special requirements are needed when installing spray polyurethane foam in

contact with soils. In cases where a constant hydrostatic pressure will be exerted
on the spray polyurethane foam please contact Quadrant or an authorized
distributor for more details.

6.12.17 Modified Bitumen Membrane

• The modified bitumen membrane must be adhered to the substrate. The installer
shall have the membrane manufacturer confirm that the material has been
installed properly.

6.13 Spray application of QuadFoam®

6.13.1 Keep other trades away from applicator:

• All other personnel must be kept at least 50 ft. away from the applicator while
spraying. It is the responsibility of the helper to ensure that all other trades and
spectators are kept away from the applicator while spraying. The sprayer and
helper shall wear a full-face supplied air respirator (SAR) or hood, as well as full
skin protection when working within 50 ft. of the installer while spraying.

• Installer’s shall post warning signs that include warnings against entry, smoking,
eating or welding in the work area and post signs requiring respiratory and visual
protections are required.

6.13.2 Masking:

• This is very important, as overspray will stick to most surfaces. Ensure that any
surface and finish is carefully covered to avoid damage from overspray.

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6.13.3 Spray Technique:
Smoothness:

• Yield: a smoother foam surface will improve yield. Good application technique
will produce a level “stucco like” surface. Heavy grain, popcorn or brain like
surfaces indicate poor technique or that a particular area of application is difficult
to apply. This does not indicate “bad foam”.

• Coating: a smoother foam surface requires less coating or protective material to

properly cover than a rough- uneven surface. When applying ignition or thermal
barrier coatings, do not leave exposed foam.

As with all Quadrant products, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate
to call Quadrant Urethane Technologies at 1-866-547-7163 and ask to speak to
a Technical Services Representative.

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