The auxiliary material of MCM wall cladding in installation During the installation process of MCM wall panels, the auxiliary materials that need to be used mainly include adhesives and sealants. The use of adhesives and sealants is a key step in ensuring their firm adhesion and aesthetic effect. The following is a detailed explanation of the usage methods, precautions, common problems, and solutions for adhesives and sealants. 1、 Instructions for using adhesive Preparation of Adhesive As one of the important auxiliary materials, the adhesive should be prepared according to the proportion specified in the product manual, usually with a water cement ratio of 1:4 (or a water cement ratio of 1:5). Add clean water to a clean container, then slowly add grout or adhesive, and stir until it is evenly distributed and free of lumps. After standing for 3-5 minutes, stir again to ensure that it is used up within 2 hours, otherwise it needs to be discarded. Application of Adhesive Scraping method: Different scraping methods are used according to the specifications of MCM products. For products with a length x width less than 240mm x 60mm, single-sided scraping can be used; For products larger than this specification or concave convex products, double-sided scraping should be used. Thickness control: The thickness of the bonding layer should be 1mm to 3mm to ensure a compactness of over 80%. Construction tools: Use a serrated trowel (with a tooth depth of 4mm or more) to evenly scrape the slurry, ensuring that the adhesive is evenly distributed. Adhesive method: Stick the MCM sheet onto the wall or floor, adjust the position and joint width, compact evenly, clean the joint, and do not move the sheet after the adhesive has initially set. Special part treatment: It is recommended to use corner specific sheets or make duck mouth corners at the male corners, and fill the same color seams. Precautions for Adhesive Grassroots treatment: Before construction, it is necessary to ensure that the base is flat, dry, free of soil and oil stains, and if necessary, apply interface agents. Avoid contamination: When the adhesive contaminates the surface of MCM, it should be treated with a rubber plate or dry sponge before initial setting, avoiding cleaning with water to prevent alkali bleeding. Construction time: The adhesive should be used within the specified time to avoid expiration or drying. Safety protection: Adhesive has a certain degree of corrosiveness, and protective gloves and masks should be worn during construction to avoid eye contact. 2、 Instructions for using sealant Another type of auxiliary material is grout, and the preparation of grout The grout should be prepared according to the ratio specified in the product manual, usually with a water cement ratio of 1:4 (or a water cement ratio of 1:5). Add clean water to a clean container, then slowly add the grout and stir until it is even and free of lumps. After standing for 3-5 minutes, stir again to ensure that it is used up within 2 hours, otherwise it needs to be discarded. Construction of sealant Joint filling time: Joint filling should be carried out after the adhesive has completely cured, usually after 24 hours. Joint filling method: Use specialized auxiliary material joint filler or silicone adhesive for joint filling, and the depth of joint filling should not be less than 3mm. Joint filling tool: Use a mosaic specific sponge scraper or joint filling knife to evenly fill the joint filling agent into the gap. Joint filling treatment: After the joint filling is completed, excess auxiliary materials on the surface should be cleaned to avoid using acidic cleaning agents. Joint filling and maintenance: After the joint filling agent solidifies (about 12 hours), it is necessary to avoid exposure to rain, sunlight, or frost. Precautions for Joint Filler Selection of auxiliary materials: Choose suitable grout according to design requirements and environmental conditions, such as anti mold grout, colored grout, etc. Residual sealant: Excessive thickness or residue of sealant on the brick surface may cause cracking or contamination. Construction temperature: The construction temperature should be between 5-40 ℃ to avoid rain. Corrosiveness of sealant: Grout has a certain degree of corrosiveness. If it accidentally gets into the eyes, it should be immediately rinsed with plenty of water. In severe cases, medical attention should be sought. Opening time of sealant: The sealant in the auxiliary material should be used within the opening time to avoid affecting the bonding effect due to expiration. 3、 Common problems and solutions during the use of auxiliary materials Hollow drum phenomenon Reason: Auxiliary material not fully dried or improper grassroots treatment. Solution: Check if the base layer is flat and dry, and if necessary, reapply the interface agent. Adjust the position before the initial setting of the adhesive: adjust the position of the sheet before the initial setting of the adhesive to ensure firm bonding. Crack of sealant Reason: Excessive thickness of grout, improper water cement ratio, insufficient squeezing force, or prolonged opening time of grout. Solution: Adjust the water cement ratio of the grout to ensure that the thickness of the grout is appropriate. Use a scraper to repeatedly cross press and fill at a 45 ° angle. Curing time of sealant: Ensure that the sealant is not compressed or scratched before complete curing. Alkaline phenomenon Reason: Alkaline substances in auxiliary materials penetrate the surface of MCM. Solution: Use a specialized adhesive with anti alkali properties. Pre treatment of adhesive before initial setting: If the adhesive contaminates the surface of MCM, it should be treated with adhesive board or dry sponge before initial setting. Uneven color of sealant Reason: Improper mixing ratio or uneven mixing of grout. Solution: Strictly follow the product manual to mix the adhesive and sealant, ensuring even mixing. Selection of grout: Choose the appropriate grout color according to design requirements. The sealant has peeled off Reason: Auxiliary material is not fully cured or the bonding strength between the grout and the base layer is insufficient. Solution: Ensure that the sealant is fully cured before proceeding with subsequent construction, and if necessary, re fill the joints. Selection of sealant: Choose a sealant that matches the base layer, such as silicone glue or polyurethane glue. 4、 Summary The correct use of adhesives and sealants is the key to the successful installation of MCM wall panels. During the construction process, the auxiliary material specified in the product manual should be strictly followed for proportioning and construction to ensure the uniformity and compactness of the bonding layer and joint filling layer. At the same time, attention should be paid to the construction environment, grassroots treatment, and material selection to avoid common problems caused by improper operation. Through scientific construction methods and meticulous construction management, the aesthetics and durability of MCM wall panels can be ensured, enhancing the overall decorative effect.