PU 700 - the first real alternative to mortar

Other News   Subscribe to newsletter

15 Jan 2014

European Sealant and adhesives specialist Tremco-illbruck is this year launching PU 700 in the region – the first real alternative to mortar.

The material, based on PU foam technology, was developed at Tremco-illbruck’s centre of excellence in Arkel, Netherlands and launched in Europe in 2011 where it has been well received by everyone from major contractors to DIY specialists and the manufacturers feel that its many benefits will appeal to Gulf contractors also.

The features of the product are;

1. Very high bond strength (within 15 minutes)
2. Will adhere to brick, cellular concrete block, natural stone, concrete, gypsum, limestone .
3. Very high yield – 1x750ml can = 1x25kg bag of mortar.
4. Ease of application, either via a nozzle or standard NBS gun.

The benefits therefore are numerous, in Europe the considerable reduction in labour costs was immediately apparent. No need for a man mixing mortar, and the ease and speed of application meant that the average mason could lay 1400-1600 blocks a day as against 600-700 using traditional means.

No heavy bags of mortar or bags of sand means reduced transport costs and less storage space on site. In a high rise application, typical of construction in the Gulf region, this negates a major logistical problem – plus of course there is no need for a constant supply of clean water or electricity.

So, by using PU700 the contractor will save time, money, space, wastage and mess ; but how does the product perform? Perhaps the most surprising aspect of PU 700 is the speed at which it forms a high strength bond – around 15 minutes.

After 24 hours the adhesive bond of the PU700 is greater than the cohesive strength of the blockwork ; in other words the block will break before the adhesive does. So the bond strength and the speed at which it forms exceed that of traditional mortar by some margin and in addition PU700 is resistant to water, sea water, diluted acids, caustic solutions and heat, and complies with EN204 (D4).