Forton™ VF-774

Instructions

HANDLING & STORAGE - Forton™ VF-774 is supplied in 5-gallon pails (40 lbs/18 kgs), 55-gallon drums (480 lbs/218 kgs) and totes (2,300 lbs/1,043 kgs). VF-774 should not be allowed to freeze. Recommended storage temperature range: 50°F - 100°F (10°C - 38°C). VF-774 should be stored in closed containers out of direct sun light and away from direct sources of heat.

SHELF LIFE - Shelf life of VF-774 is one year in unopened containers when properly stored. Smooth-On cannot guarantee shelf life of opened or repackaged units. Important: This product has limited shelf life. Use as soon as possible after opening.

PRE-MIXING - VF-774 can separate over time in storage or transit as evidenced by caramel liquid on the surface. Gently stir with a paddle for 30 seconds. Pre-mixing one time per 24 hour usage cycle is recommended.

MEASURING & MIXING - Assemble all components and accessories before you begin.

Required Materials:

• Portland Cement, Type I (White or Gray)
• Silica Sand (washed, graded, dried. 0 Retention on 20 mesh sieve)
• Forton™ VF-774
• Water
• Plasticizer (see recommendation based in Technical Bulletin)
• AR Glass Fiber (see recommendation based in Technical Bulletin). Important: Do not use “E” Glass
• Pigments - UV Stable, Iron Oxide (liquid or dry, if required)
• Weighing Scales- with digital gram accuracy (do not use postal scale, dietary scale, etc.)
• Mechanical / Power Mixer: 5 - 10 hp vertical high shear mixer or CS Unitec handheld MG120, MG140 or MG160 blades
• NIOSH Approved Dust Mask to minimize dust inhalation while using components
• Mixing Containers

Important: Components should be mixed in proper sequence. Standard concrete mixers may be used, but it is recommended to use a high shear mixer specially designed for GFRC to ensure a thoroughly mixed, lump free slurry is produced.

Step 1: Weigh or batch all materials.

Step 2: Add all liquids, including VF-774 and 2 oz. of plasticizer, to mixer.

Step 3: Start mixer on slow (300-500 rpm).

Step 4: Add pigment if used.

Step 5: Add sand.

Step 6: Add cement and increase mixer speed to high (1,000-1,800 rpm).

Step 7: Mix for 1 - 2 minutes.

Step 8: Add the remaining plasticizer to achieve desired workability.

Step 9: Reduce mixer speed to slow (300-500 rpm) and gradually add fiber (Premix only) until dispersed (typically not more than one minute). Important: Mixing too long or at too high a speed after fiber has been added can filamentize or damage the fiber, resulting in placement issues and reduced strengths.

APPLYING A RELEASE AGENT - Common mold materials include mold rubber, melamine coated board and birch faced plywood or FRP with tooling resin gel coat. Use a high quality release agent meant for releasing architectural concrete such as Crete-Lease 20 VOC to release GFRC castings from the mold.

Casting - Pour mixture in a single spot at the lowest point of mold, and let mixture seek its level. Vibrating: After casting, consolidate the slurry and remove entrapped air using a vibrating table or hand vibrator.

Spraying - For higher volume of smaller parts or making large cladding panels, GFRC slurry can be sprayed into molds using rotor/stator or peristaltic pumps specifically designed for GFRC. Regardless of spray pump used, a face coat without fiber is typically applied first. After the face coat has properly stiffened, a fiber backup mix is applied in multiple passes, with proper compaction following each pass. For low volume application - A hopper gun (Kraft EZY Deck Pro is recommended) can be used to apply face mix. GFRC back up mix can be applied by hand.

Curing - After placement, cover GFRC with plastic tarp / sheeting to prevent excessive moisture loss and maintain heat of hydration to ensure a proper initial cure. Let cure in the mold for 12-16 hours. Curing temperatures should be maintained above 50°F/10°C in order to ensure proper film forming of the VF-774.

Related Categories: Polymer Modifiers for Concrete and Gypsum

Related Series: Forton™ – Additives for GFRC and Alpha Gypsum, Forton™ VF-774 – Acrylic Co-Polymer For Use In GFRC