Cold Weather’s Effect on Flexible FAST Dual Tank Adhesives

Maintaining the proper storage and installation temperature of Carlisle Flexible FAST roofing adhesive materials will improve the string time/rise time, and will also assist in achieving the proper viscosity of the materials; which in turn will help to increase yield/coverage of your Flexible FAST materials.

Problem:
When working in certain states, it is important to pay attention to the average daily temperatures when storing and installing Carlisle Flexible FAST adhesives.

Here is a simple explanation of viscosity:

Viscosity is a complicated and sometimes confusing topic, and understanding how to lower viscosity is a challenge during cold winter months. A fluid that is viscous will be thick, sticky, and semifluid in consistency. You can lower viscosity by adding friction and/or increasing temperature. In short, the warmer the material, the thinner the fluid - meaning less friction and increased material flow.

Proper material temperatures can also affect the performance of the adhesive. When material temperatures are below the recommended levels, the adhesive cannot properly mix due to the increased viscosity. It is always important to keep your adhesives stored and applied at the temperatures recommended by the manufacturer.

Do not store Flexible FAST at temperatures above 100°F or below 50°F. Kits stored below 70°F must be given time for the internal material temperature to warm up to 70°F prior to use. When storing or using adhesive in temperatures below 40°F, the adhesive internal temperature must be returned to 70°F prior to use. Placing adhesive in a heated area (70-90°F) for 4 hours should allow liquid adhesive to reach 70-90°F. In colder temperatures, it is recommended to utilize heated blankets to ensure the tanks are kept warm while dispensing the product.

Solution:
In the winter months, proper material temperatures become imperative. Regardless of the urethane adhesive (FAST or Flexible FAST), material temperatures at the time of installation should be 70°F or rising. When temperatures fall below 70°F, urethane adhesives can experience mixture ratio issues. The use of heated blankets or hot boxes should be used to keep material temperatures above 70°F.

Heated blankets make it easy to lower the viscosity of Carlisle’s Flexible Fast Dual Tank adhesives. Heated blankets are available in various ready-to-ship products, including dual tank and single tank adhesive offerings and pallet blankets. If you need help with material storage or viscosity reduction, Carlisle SynTec Systems has you covered. Contact your local Carlisle representative for more information.

Carlisle has partnered with two equipment manufactures that provide heated blankets. For more information, contact 4C’s Spray Equipment. Amped Equipment. or Advanced Roofing Innovations (ARI).

Flexible FAST Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will it take a heated blanket to warm a cold tank?
A: Tanks can take anywhere from 4-8 hours to return to the proper application temperature.

Q: Can I use a heated band to warm tank or cylinder products?
A: No -under no circumstances should you use a heated band product with a pressurized tank (Dual Tanks or CAV-GRIP™ III). Heater bands can reach temperatures of 300°F – 400°F, which will overheat the tank and cause it to explode.

Q:Are heated blankets safe to use with Dual Tanks?
A: Yes, heated blankets have a regulated temperature of 80°F - 100°F and are designed to work with pressurized tanks.

For more information about FAST Dual Tank Adhesives, please contact Austin Kulp.