The main leader among modern heat-insulating materials, with a quality-price-durability ratio, is Astratec liquid ceramic heat insulator, developed on the basis of military-space technologies.

Astratek has proven itself in the construction of residential and industrial buildings. The material is universal, has good technological performance, and its use can significantly reduce heat loss and reduce energy consumption.

Content

1. Astratec new generation thermal insulation  video
2. The main advantages and scope of Astratec  video
3. Varieties of thermal insulation coating Astratek
4. Astratec: instructions for use
   • application of Astratec on metal surfaces
   • astratek coating for thermal insulation of brick and concrete surfaces  video
   • thermal insulation of PVC pipes and wooden surfaces with a liquid coating Astratek
5. General recommendations for applying thermal insulation material: equipment selection and painting tactics  video

Astratec new generation thermal insulation

Astratech modern coating is characterized by high operational and thermal characteristics. Such results have been achieved through a combination of various qualities of the constituents of the material.

Astratec is a water-based composite material. Astratek contains a mixture of acrylic polymers and evacuated ceramic spheres. This combination gives the heat insulator lightness, flexibility, extensibility and good adhesion of the material to the coated surfaces.

Outwardly Astratek resembles an ordinary white paint. After application and drying, a polymer coating is formed on the surface, which has unique thermal insulation properties that is the result of the active molecular action of a discharged vacuum, which is located in hollow spheres.

The principle of operation of Astratec is to implement a blocking mechanism of three types of heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation. The porous structure of the material during heat transfer reflects more than 75% of the input heat radiation. Due to the low thermal conductivity, there is a weakening of the heat flux inside the material, and a small emissivity reduces the level of the outgoing heat flux as a result, heat losses are significantly reduced.

Thermal insulation material Astratec has the following characteristics:

• thermal conductivity at a temperature of 20 degrees 0.0012 W / m C;
• pH value 8.5-9.5;
• the period of complete drying of the layer is 24 hours;
• alkali resistance;
• adhesion to metal, propylene, plastic 100%;
• resistance to temperatures in the range from -60 to +250 degrees Celsius;
• reflectivity of radiant energy 85%;
• at a temperature of +260 it begins to char, and at +800 it decomposes and releases nitric oxide and carbon monoxide (this slows down the spread of fire).

The heat-insulating properties of Astratek 1 mm thick are equivalent to those of masonry (350-380 mm) or mineral wool (50-60 mm)

The main advantages and scope of Astratec

The operational and physico-technical characteristics of Astratec allow us to talk about a wide range of advantages of this material over other types of thermal insulation, namely:

• speed and convenience of isolation of objects of complex configuration;

• building construction is not heavier;
• prevention of condensation;
• the service life is quite long 15-30 years;
• can be used for insulation of hot surfaces (no more than 150 degrees);
• defects in insulation are easy to eliminate and completely restore the coating;
• the absence of harmful organic volatile compounds, the material is non-toxic;
• water tightness;
• resistance to the effects of aqueous solutions of salts;
• improves the corrosion protection of the coating;
• helps to avoid thermal deformations of metal products;
• under the influence of UV radiation is not destroyed;
• the speed of coating reduces labor costs;
• aesthetic appearance.

Due to these advantages, Astratec liquid insulation has found its application in many sectors of construction and industry:

• warming of elevated pipelines of heating systems;

• thermal insulation of facades and walls (used if there is a dense base: foam concrete, cinder block, brick, etc.);
• insulation of enclosed spaces (pumping stations, boiler houses);
• internal and external insulation of metal chimneys;
• protection of roofs from solar radiation;
• insulation of the end walls of rooms, roofs, floors, attics;
• use in the repair and reconstruction of the housing stock;
• insulation of window slopes (protection against freezing);
• thermal insulation of industrial equipment;
• isolation of gas and oil pipelines, tanks, oil storages;
• covering ducts of freezers and refrigerators, air conditioning and ventilation systems.

Varieties of thermal insulation coating Astratek

Astratech coating is available in three forms:

• Astratec is universal;
• Astratec metal;
• Astratec facade.

Universal Astratec   It has an original base composition, which is suitable for thermal insulation of various structures and objects made of wood, brick, metal, plastic, concrete.

It is used for thermal insulation both indoors and outdoors. Standard colors: gray and white. The operating mode of coverage is from -60 to +200 degrees (a short-term load of up to 260 degrees is allowed).

Astratec metal   It has a special composition with improved anti-corrosion properties and increased adhesion for thermal insulation of coatings that are in high humidity. The material is resistant to chemicals (alkalis, acids, salt solutions).

It is made only in gray. Astratek metal is used for thermal insulation of pipes, metal structures and metal products, industrial equipment, reinforced concrete structures. Liquid insulation effectively protects against corrosion and condensation.

Astratec facade    highly viscous weather-resistant composition designed for thermal insulation of vertical surfaces. The heat-insulating coating Astratek forms a single surface without seams. Heat is stored throughout the room, creating a favorable microclimate (heat loss is reduced by 30%).

Astratec facade has good water-repellent and vapor-permeable properties. Top material can be coated with acrylic paint, apply plaster, putty, lay tile or wallpaper.

The cost of coating is almost the same for all types of Astratec (the price of Astratec metal is slightly more than Astratec station wagon, facade). The entire line of thermal insulation coating is available in frost-resistant modification.

Astratec: instructions for use

The number of layers and the total thickness of the thermal insulation coating is calculated based on the characteristics of the surface and the operating conditions of the insulated product or structure.

application of Astratec on metal surfaces

Coating on metal surfaces should be at an air temperature of at least +15 degrees and humidity not more than 65%. Compliance with these parameters contributes to the rapid drying and formation of a polymer film on the surface.

Consider the step-by-step process of applying Astratec to metal:

1. A metal brush must clean the surface of scale and rust.
2. Wipe the surface from dust and degrease if necessary.
3. If there are areas with strong corrosion on the surface, then they must be treated with a 15% phosphoric acid solution. Wash off the remaining acid with water and wipe dry.
4. Prime the metal surface.
5. Prepare Astratec solution according to the instructions.
6. To apply the first layer water is used as a solvent (200 ml per 1 liter of Astratec). Leave the surface to dry completely (at least 4 hours).
7. The solution for applying the main layers is prepared in a proportion of 50 ml of water per 1 liter of Astratec coating. The consistency of the material for application on a hot metal surface (temperature over 100 degrees) should be similar to milk.
8. The interlayer drying period at an air temperature of about 20 degrees and a layer thickness of 0.3-0.5 mm 24 hours. With decreasing temperature, the drying time should be increased by two to three times.
9. The thickness of one layer should not be more than 0.5 mm.
10. Acrylic can be applied on top of Astratec coatings.

astratek coating for thermal insulation of brick and concrete surfaces

The surface temperature for thermal insulation should be at least +7 degrees C, and the air temperature not lower than +10 degrees.

The process of warming concrete and brick surfaces can be divided into the following stages:

1. The surface must be repaired with cement-plaster composition, remove bituminous stains, dirt and oily stains. Dust and degrease.
   
2. Apply 1-20 coats of acrylic primer. Allow to dry.
3. Prepare a solution of Astratec material for use (mix manually or with a construction mixer).
4. The technology for applying the first and subsequent layers, as well as the requirements for drying, are similar to the technology for coating metal surfaces with Astratek.
5. On walls insulated from the inside, on top of the Astratec coating (after complete drying), putty should be applied on a latex basis (lime putties should not be used). Then you can carry out the necessary finishing work (painting, wallpapering, laying ceramic tiles).
6. Acrylic water-dispersion paint is applied to the facade walls on top of Astratec material.

thermal insulation of PVC pipes and wooden surfaces with a liquid coating Astratek

The thermal insulation of wooden structures, products and PVC pipes according to the algorithm of actions is similar to the insulation of metal and brick surfaces. The main differences are surface preparation and decorative (final) coating.

PVC pipes must first be plastered, since roughness enhances the adhesion of the coating. After this, the surface must be cleaned of dust and degreased.

The wooden surface should be cleaned of old paint and other oily inclusions, and then sanded. Before applying Astratec, it is advisable to impregnate the wood with a water-based antiseptic compound.

Upon completion of the preparatory phase, the complete drying of the wooden surface and PVC pipes, Astratec can be applied, following the technology described above.

As a decorative and protective layer, PVC pipes can be applied with acrylic paint and polyurethane coating.

General recommendations for applying thermal insulation material: equipment selection and painting tactics

The following equipment is used to prepare the solution and apply Astratec coating:

• standard or frame propeller mixer for building mixtures;
• airless sprayer;
• brush.

When choosing equipment, first of all, you need to pay attention to productivity (l / min) and the maximum nozzle size in inches.

The productivity of the device should not be less than 3.6 l / min, the size of the supported nozzles is not less than 0.031 inches, the diameter of the nozzle is more than 0.023 inches

When applying Astratec paint spray gun, you must adhere to the following tactics:

• the location of the gun perpendicular to the painted surface (deviations in different directions increases the consumption of material);
• the movement of the spray gun in an arc will lead to the formation of an uneven film thickness;
• the hand should move along the surface, the wrist should be kept straight;
• uniform movement of the gun (without delay and acceleration);
• overlap of layers should not be more than 50%;
• the gun trigger is pressed only while the gun is moving;
• the optimal distance of the gun to the working surface is 10-25 cm (depends on the type, power of the spraying equipment).

The innovative liquid polymer coating Astratec has proven itself among the insulation materials, due to a number of significant advantages. Simplicity and ease of application, low thermal conductivity, universality of use are the main criteria for choosing a new generation of thermal insulation.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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