Expanding Foam Acoustic Joint Sealing Tape

Acoustic and Weatherproof Expanding Foam Sealing Tape

A self-adhesive high quality, high density, open cell foam sealing tape which has been impregnated to a high level with acrylics and FR additives. The product is CFC- and HCFC-free and contains no chloride compounds. When the Xpandafoam foam tape is compressed the cells close thus providing for a variety of sealing applications as detailed below:

• 20% compression - Dust seal
• 50% compression - Thermal
• 65% compression - Draught / acoustic
• 75% compression - Acoustic / protected weather seal - not directly exposed to water or UV
• 80% compression - Acoustic / weather seal to 600Pa - will resist water spray up to 600Pa differential to EN86

Xpandafoam tape is supplied pre-compressed for ease of application. All coils have a reinforced self-adhesive backing. When the rolls are opened the tape expands to about 5 times its compressed thickness. The product is designed to accommodate movement in joints and seals against uneven surfaces. For full acoustic and weather sealing applications you do not want the tape to expand fully. For example EXP5/12 comes 5mm thick before opened and should not be allowed to expand further than 12mm for best results.

The elasticity and flexibility is such that it will seal gaps between uneven surfaces such as brickwork and concrete and maintains its elasticity and responds continually to expansion and contraction cycles without any joint failure. Tests to monitor the life expectancy reveal no significant deterioration over 20 years in use.

Xpandafoam is also ideal as as a weatherstripping material to fill expansion joints or for the filling of voids. It will create a draught, dust, wind and driving rain seal and has a guaranteed life span of 20 years. Approved to DIN 4102 and DIN 18542 the tape is compatible with most other building materials.

We recommend using Xpandafoam when installing our acoustic doors to give the maximum acoustic benefits. The 5mm gap between the structure and the frame must be sufficiently sealed to prevent noise leakage around the door. Using this product along with our fire rated flexible acoustic sealant will maintain the acoustic and fire integrity of the door assembly.

Xpandafoam can also be used around the perimeter of acoustic floors and acoustic ceilings. It is also ideal for sealing gaps between pipes and services where they penetrate through a wall or floor.

Installation Guidelines

1. Storage and surface preparation
Tape should be stored in a warm, dry, interior location. Ideal application temperature is approximately 24°C. Expansion will be faster at higher temperatures and slower at lower temperatures. Full expansion normally takes about 24hrs from when the material is first opened but when re-compressed it will re-expand within minutes. For faster expansion in cold conditions keep the material warm before use and, if desired, apply heat from a hair dryer to installed material to accelerate expansion.

Joint faces should be dry and cleaned of dirt, oil and grease etc. There should be sufficient depth to receive the full width of the tape.

IMPORTANT: Reels should be stored flat and kept compact. Should material expand in package it can still be used. Unroll the material, allow it to expand, then recompress it between surfaces to be sealed.

2. Opening reels
Only open rolls that will be used immediately.

3. Square off ends
Start and finish ends must be cut square. For easier cutting spray the knife or scissors with a mist of water.

4. Peel off liner
A suitable length or section should be cut to fit the opening. The material only expands in one direction i.e. its thickness, not its width. For acoustic purposes we recommend that it not be allowed to expand more than 35% of its fully expanded thickness so its important to check the gap size before using (or ordering) the material. For larger gaps two layers can be stuck one on top of the other. Remove release liner to expose the adhesive backing face of the tape.

5. Adhere to surfaces
Position the tape and press to secure. If needed, cut and fit smaller filler pieces of tape to fill panel or corrugation voids.

6. Join lengths with mitres
To form a continuous strip overlap tapes and miter with a moist knife at a 45° angle. Pinch the mitered faces together.

Please note: This product is for use as an acoustic expansion gap seal it is not designed to be an Intumescent Expansion Gap product. If you are looking for a fire rated acoustic intumescent product please click here

Other Applications

• Structural concrete joints and pre-cast panel joints
• Sealing and finishing of roofing and cladding panels
• Sealing of doors, window frames and rooflights
• Sealing partitions and interior or exterior panels
• Sealing of pre-cast concrete guttering
• Sealing of non-pressurised water or sewer pipes
• Sealing of roofs, panels, window frames and doorframes in vans, campers, portable and modular buildings or mobile offices
• Sealing of plastic corrugated plastic panels, metal roofing and wall sheets
• Sealing eaves
• Anti-corrosion joints for metal-to-metal fixtures
• Perimeter sealing of conservatory systems between brickwork and plate
• Sealant backer and expansion joints
• Wood construction - log homes and cabins