Rocky Hill, Connecticut -- Henkel has introduced a new pour-in-place foaming polyurethane designed to bind to voids and hydraulic cylinders used in the US long wall mining industry.
Designated Loctite MR5898, it is designed to fill cavities and stick to the edges of voids in mines, said the firm. It adds that the foam effectively blocks debris, particulates or tools that might damage equipment. Additionally, the foam has enough flexibility to allow free movement of the hydraulic leg.
The foam is self-extinguishing and low-odour, said Henkel. The company added that it starts to foam a few minutes after mixing and is tack free within minutes.
MR5898 is designed to replace pre-cut foam inserts which are typically used in the application, Henkel said. Precuts allow debris into cavities through gaps between inserts and equipment edges. The new foam can be trimmed with a serrated blade to ensure a tidy workspace.
Henkel said that the material will help to ensure that equipment continues to operate properly, reduces downtime and prevents component damage. Additionally, miners are freed up for mining.
