ESD Rubber Sheet Welding Installation Instructions
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Rubber
sheet welding Quick Links: Heat Welding | Cold Welding | EC Rubber
Heat Welding
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After the flooring is installed, following the appropriate installation guide, wait a minimum of 24 hours for all “wet adhesives” to cure before beginning the heat welding process. If using the StaticFix dry adhesive system, welding can begin immediately after the flooring is installed.
Heat Welding
- To prepare the seam for welding, it must be grooved using either a mechanical
joint cutter or hand-grooving tool. The depth of the groove shall be controlled
at approximately 2/3 of the thickness of the flooring material. The width
of the groove after cutting shall be no less than 3mm and no greater than
3.5mm.
- After the groove is confirmed to be free of any debris, pre-heat the welding
gun to obtain the correct heat setting of 350°- 400°C (662° -
752°F).
It is recommended to practice welding on a piece of scrap flooring material
to determine the exact heat setting and speed.
- Cut a length of heat weld rod sufficient to weld the entire length of
the seam, plus approximately 6” extra.
- Weld the seam starting at the wall and apply slight pressure to the gun
nozzle to force the melting rod into the groove.
- Properly inserted, the heat weld rod will have a slightly flattened portion
on either side. Allow the rod to cool to the touch and begin trimming or “skiving” to
remove the excess weld. To help prevent scratching or scuffing of the flooring
during skiving, it helps to use a 1 part liquid soap to 10 parts water solution
and apply using a clean cloth to the welding rod and to at least 2” (1” each
side).
- Using the trim plate and skiving knife, make the first cut across the
weld rod (a Mozart trimming knife with the 0.7mm spacer claw can also be
used), and allow the weld rod to fully cool to room temperature.
- Next using only the skiving knife or Mozart (without the spacer claw),
finish trimming the remainder of the weld. The finished weld should be smooth
and on the same plane as the floor covering.
- Occasionally, there may be excess weld rod left after the final trim and
it will be necessary to remove this using a “melting” technique.
After heating up a non-sharpened metal putty knife, gently glide the putty
knife (held as if scraping) along the seam weld. Excess weld material will
collect on the knife and the result will be a smooth and flat seam weld.
- Heat welding should not be used vertically or when welding to sanitary
base. If required, these shall be cold welded.
Cold Welding (Liquid Wax Method)
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After the flooring is installed, following the appropriate installation guide, wait 8 hours for all “wet adhesives” to cure before beginning the cold welding process. If using the StaticFix dry adhesive system, welding can begin immediately after the flooring is installed.
Cold Welding
- The use of gloves when using cold weld is recommended.
- Cold weld shall be used on all vertical corners (do not heat weld vertical
corners), or if specified.
- To prevent bonding of the cold weld outside of the seam, using a clean
cloth apply a thin layer of liquid wax to both sides of the seam (4” total),
and allow to fully dry.
- To prepare the seam for welding, it must be grooved using either a mechanical
joint cutter or hand-grooving tool. The depth of the groove shall be controlled
at approximately 2/3 of the thickness of the flooring material thickness.
The width of the groove after cutting shall be no less than 3mm and not greater
than 3.5mm.
- Clean, vacuum or blow out the seams.
- Cut off the tip of the cartridge at the first thread, screw on the nozzle
and place the cold weld cartridge into a cartridge gun. Cut off the nozzle
tip at an angle.
- Inject the cold weld into the seam without gaps until a small bulb develops
(approximate size of untrimmed heat weld rod) above the seam. At the end
of the seam, release the gun to prevent any leaks.
- Press the cold weld into the seam using a smoothing spatula, held nearly
flat (approximately a 22° angle), resulting in a flush surface (neither
high nor concave). Excess cold weld will be pressed away on each side of
the seam. It is important to develop a slight gap between the excess weld
and weld in the seam, for easy removal of the cured excess.
- Cold weld develops a skin after approximately 20-30 min. at 20ºC
(68ºF)
and a humidity of 50%. The skin formation is accelerated by higher temperatures
and humidity, and slowed correspondingly by lower values.
- The excess cold weld can be removed after approximately 8-12 hours (depending
on temperature and humidity).
- Prevent traffic on the seams until the cold weld has cured (approximately
8-12 hours). The full carrying capacity (chair casters, etc.) is given after
approximately 72 hours.
- Any cold weld tracked or spilled onto non-waxed areas shall be removed immediately using liquid wax or isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth. Removal at a later stage is not possible.
