SLS polymer foam stabilizes subgrade along A12 freeway

SLS polymer foam is highly expansive and can expand up to twenty-two times its own volume. Its use is our own innovation. The hardened foam is about thirty times lighter than sand, which reduces future settlements. The foam is also insulating and environmentally friendly and is certified for contact with drinking water. Furthermore, our polymer foam contains no PFAS compounds. PFAS is the collective name for poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances. They are chemical, man-made, and can be harmful to humans and the environment.

Working with SLS polymer foam is also very controllable. “You can lift the subsoil very precisely,” says technical manager Ömer Likoglu. The video below shows how it works.

SLS Polymer Foam: Fast and Controlled

For motorways such as the A12, our polymer foam is a good solution for stabilizing the ground. The foam reacts very quickly when injected. “It expands after eight seconds and is fully reacted within sixteen seconds. There is no after-reaction,” says Likoglu.

Due to this rapid reaction time, the work can be carried out quickly and in a controlled manner. After fifteen minutes of curing, the foam already reaches ninety percent of its compressive strength, which is sufficient for the load of traffic. The motorway can therefore be reopened quickly after the work.

As a result, traffic experiences little disruption from the work. Moreover, we only work in the evenings and at night. During the week, we work from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM. At the weekend – from Friday evening – we work from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. At night, employees work safely with special clothing from Rijkswaterstaat (RWS). This orange clothing is safety clothing and is also called high-visibility clothing. Everyone working on the road wears this reflective, fluorescent clothing to be extra visible.

Injection is Teamwork

For the best result, we work in teams of three during the injection process. “The three of us inject one lane,” Likoglu explains. One colleague operates the injection machine. This specialist ensures the mixing of the products and monitors the pressure difference. A second colleague injects the subsoil. The third specialist is our controller, who determines how much should be injected.

This person also checks what the subsoil is doing, using a Nivcomp. This is a digital hose level that constantly measures height differences. “You are constantly counting and watching how the subsoil reacts to the injected material,” says Likoglu.

More Information about Injecting with SLS Polymer Foam?

Do you have a question about our Waterproofing SLS service? Please contact us by telephone on working days via 0599-696333 or email info@sealteq.com. Our colleagues will be happy to assist you.