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Dave Heisinger of Empire Electric Sales in Southern California asked a great question about the application of FST Duct Sealant: "I did a training on FST-250 and an issue came up in regards to the removable tip. Have we ever considered the issue of being in a tight space where the tip doesn't reach or flex to accommodate the space? The customer asked about the ability to produce a tip that gets into difficult spaces ... something that could be added to the existing nozzle and is more flexible. I guess they have some vaults that have tough-to-reach areas." Dave is not the first rep to encounter this question. The static mixing nozzle needs to be a certain length and width for proper mixing of the resin and hardener. However, a hose can be attached to the end of the nozzle to assist product deployment. The length of the hose needs to be limited to allow product flow. The Polywater Lab has tested extension hoses for the FST-250, and concludes that a 5/16-inch ID hose (0.8 cm) works best. As for hose material, vinyl plastic offers the best grip on the nozzle, but isn't very rigid. An LLDPE hose offers more rigidity, but does not grip the nozzle as well. So there is a trade-off between flexibility and gription. We recommend the hose length be <1 foot (30 cm), but in warmer temps (~80° F or 27° C) up to 2 feet (60 cm) will work. Polywater currently offers a special-order kit (cat #FST-250KITW) that includes a 24-inch LLDPE 5/16" ID tube. This hose can easily be trimmed down, if necessary, providing a good fit on the static mixer and optimal flow. Let customers know that in a pinch they could save time and money with a 1/4" (0.64 cm) clear hose from a hardware store, cut into 8" (20 cm) lengths. They'd need to push the hose onto the tip and then tape it. However, we recommend the 5/16" size over 1/4" because of the improved fit and flow. For customers able to plan ahead, the FST-250KITW kit is preferred. Wrapping tape around the hose/mixer connection is a good suggestion. This helps prevent the hose from falling off as the foam is dispensed. Note that extension tubing is for one-time use. Once stretched over the tip of the static mixer, it holds well, but develops memory. When reattached, it won't adhere to the tip as tightly as when originally set in place. Use this application tip and/or sell the special-order kit to satisfy customer needs, differentiate Polywater FST, and further confound the competition. |
