Stephanie McDonald reports on Cemintel Fibre Cement Systems' new waterblocking technology.
Cemintel Fibre Cement Systems has developed a new waterblocking technology. Instead of the waterproofing being applied to the top of the sheet, it is embedded in the core of the product and prevents water from being absorbed into the sheet.
The patented waterblocking technology in the CeminSeal product makes the board more stable and reduces sheet movement and cracking. The product is also hydrophobic and vapour permeable, meaning it repels water.
“CeminSeal Wallboard features a revolutionary embedded micro waterblock technology that prevents water penetrating into the sheet. It works by repelling water while still allowing the sheet to breathe ensuring stronger joints, less risk and quicker application,” Drew Spiden says, general manager at Cemintel.
“CeminSeal is able to provide 95 per cent stronger joints as the waterblock technology allows the compounds to set prop erly, without the sheet sucking the moisture out. As the joint and compound sets properly you get a greater adhesion rate.”
The product also provides a 100 per cent paint adhesion.
It was developed as a result of feedback with contractors and builders and has been in development for several years, undergoing testing and modifications during that time. “One of the most commonly referred to issues in the fibre cement market is joints and the strength of a particular joint, be it external or internal,” Spiden says.
“A lot of people in our business have spent a number of years working on the development of this new process. It is a clear step change for the fibre cement industry globally, given the benefits it delivers.”
CeminSeal Wallboard is available in residential and com mercial applications such as bathrooms, laundries, semi- exposed ceilings, corridors and hallways, due to its high impact resistance.
The wallboard has a recess on both long edges so sheets can be taped and set with CSR Gyprock and Cemintel joint ing materials. Once jointed the wallboard can be tiled, paint ed or wall papered.
The product will eventually replace Cemintel’s existing Wallboard product, with the installation process remaining the same as the company’s standard wallboard. CeminSeal can also be used in conjunction with Cemintel’s previous Wallboard product.
“We have just stopped manufacturing standard wallboard, as CeminSeal wallboard will supersede this product and there will be an initial period of crossover while we sell the current stock. The process on phasing our old product is well under way and we expect this to be complete soon.
“We are also in the process of launching additional CeminSeal Wallboard products to complement the range.”
CeminSeal comes in widths of 900 mm, 1,200 mm and 1,350 mm in thicknesses of 6 mm; and 1,200 mm in thick nesses of 9 mm and 12 mm. Lengths include 1,800 mm, 2,400 mm, 2,700 mm, 3,000 mm, 3,600 mm and 4,200 mm.
