Childers® Chil-Tuff™ CP-181 HVAC Duct Sealant

1 of 37 products in this brand
Childers® Chil-Tuff™ CP-181 HVAC Duct Sealant is a fire-resistant, fibrates, water-based duct sealant and mastic designed for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning duct systems. This easily applicable sealant, applied with a brush, maintains its integrity without dripping or sagging. Once dry, it creates a durable, flexible, UV- and water-resistant air seal, enhancing the efficiency and performance of HVAC systems.

Product Type: Mastic, Waterborne Sealant

Application Area: AC Ducts, All Service Jackets (ASJ), Board Facings, Diffusors, Ductwork, FRK Jackets, FSK Jackets, HVAC Applications, HVAC Ducts, Joints, Lap Sealing, Mixing Boxes, Over Staple , Weld Pin Punctures

Compatible Substrates & Surfaces: Fiberglass, Metal

Application Method: Brush, Dip Coating, Trowel

Features: Crack Resistant, Fire-Resistant, Flexible, Good Toughness, Moisture Resistant, Oxidation Resistant, Resilient, UV Resistant, Water Resistant, Water-based

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Identification & Functionality

Features & Benefits

Labeling Claims
Ready-to-Use Product Features
Advantages
  • Water-based for personal & environmental safety.
  • Application is quick & easy for economical installation.
  • Dries firmly & forms a strong, resilient, fibrated seal.
  • Creates a permanently flexible seal (even when system cycles between high & low temperatures).
  • Resistant to fire, oxidation, cracking, moisture, & water.
  • Long service life. both indoors and out.
  • Quick & efficient clean of tools with hot water when sealant is wet.

Applications & Uses

Markets
Applications
Application Area
Application Method
Compatible Substrates & Surfaces
Uses
  • CHIL-TUFF™ CP-181 is used to seal all high, medium and low pressure HVAC systems including metal and flexible ductwork and fiberglass duct board.
  • Application by trowel or brush readily fills the joints of round or rectangular, ductwork, diffusers, and mixing boxes.
  • CP-181 can also be used as a duct closure mastic for vapor sealing ASJ, FRK and FSK jackets and board facings at joints, laps and over staple and weld pin punctures.
Preparation and Application Information

Material Preparation

  • All surfaces where sealant will be applied must be clean, dry, and free of oil or grease prior to application.
  • Do not thin.
  • Keep container closed when not in use.

Application

  • UL 181A Mastic Closure of UL 181 Rigid Fiberglass Air Ducts: Apply to the surface by brush, trowel or power extrusion. Uniformly brush out at 3” – 4” wide tack coat over the stapled and smoothed joint at the nominal rate of 1.12 gal./100 sq. ft. (0.46 l/m2 ). Embed the reinforcing membrane into the tack coat, taking care that all of the mesh is filled. Pull the membrane taut and apply a second coat at the nominal rate of 1.12 gal./100 sq. ft. (0.46 l/m2 ). Allow the completed joint to dry at least 24 hours above 70°F (21°C) before pressure testing. High humidities (over 70%) and/or cooler temperatures may retard drying. Total (mastic plus scrim plus mastic) wet film thickness to be 36 mils. Fiberglass scrim to be 5 mils thick, 20x10 plain weave weighing 1.75 oz/yd2 (59 g/m2 ).
  • UL 181A Mastic Closure of UL 18  Flexible Air Ducts: Apply to clean, dry, oil-free surface by brush, trowel or power extrusion. Uniformly brush out at 2” wide coat over the joint at the nominal rate of 1.87 gal./100 sq. ft. (0.76 l/m2 ). Total coverage rate to be 53.5 sq. ft./gal. (1.31 m2 /l). Allow the completed joint to dry at least 24 hours above 70°F (21°C) before pressure testing. High humidities (over 70%) and/or cooler temperatures may retard drying. Total wet film thickness to be 30 mils (0.76 mm).
  • Metal Duct Sealant : Apply at a rate of 50 – 55 sq. ft./gal. (1.23 – 1.35 m2 /l). Work into crevices and ensure sealant film bridges all gaps maintaining minimum film thickness over seams. Reinforcing membrane is not required for sealing metal duct. Allow the completed joint to dry at least 24 hours above 70°F (21°C) before pressure testing.
  • Other Duct Closure Applications: For other applications sealing foil faced insulation boards and duct wrap the use of a reinforcing membrane may be optional and shall be used depending on the system design. Apply at a rate of 50 – 55 sq. ft./gal. (1.23 – 1.35 m2 /l). Allow the completed joint to dry at least 24 hours above 70°F (21°C) before pressure testing.
  • High humidities (over 70%) and/or cooler temperatures may retard drying. For best results, do not exceed 1/8” (3.2 mm) wet film thickness. CP-181 Duct Sealant is weather, water and UV resistant, allowing it to be used outdoors and in high humidity environments.
  • Limitations: Always test foil and paper facings for acceptable adhesion before using. Outdoor horizontal surfaces must always drain completely. A pitch of at least 1/4” per foot (2 cm/m) is required. To resist rain washoff, allow at least 12 – 15 hours drying time above 40°F (4°C), with a relative humidity of 50%. Higher humidity or lower temperatures may retard drying.
  • Power Extrusion: CP-181 Duct Sealant may be applied using a wide variety of power (pressure) extrusion equipment suitable for use with water-based sealants. It is a soft buttery gel with a typical viscosity range of 130,000 – 150,000 cps. Corrosion resistant pumps and fittings are suggested.

Clean Up 

  • Use fresh water to clean brushes and equipment before product dries. Dry product may be removed with hot soapy water or strong solvents such as chlorinated solvent (non-flammable) or mineral spirits (flammable).
Limitations
  • Apply between 40°F and 100°F; protect from freezing.
  • To resist rain washoff, allow at least 16 hours drying time above 40°F, with a relative humidity of 50%.
  • Always test foil and paper facings for acceptable adhesion.
  • Outdoor horizontal surfaces must always drain completely. A pitch of at least 1⁄4 inch per foot (2 cm/m) is required.
  • Mechanical fasteners of the type and number normally used for duct assemblies are required to provide rigidity to the duct system.

Properties

Color (Properties)
Typical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Average Wet Weight12.0lbs.ASTM D1475
Average Non-Volatile (by Weight)69.0% ASTM D2369
Drying Time (Set to Touch)1.0Hours-
Drying Time (Dry Through)16.0Hours-
Coverage Range (Varies with substrate)50sq. ft./U.S. gallon
Application Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Service Temperature (to which dry film is subjected)20 - 200°F
Flame Characteristics
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Flame Spread ¹20ASTM E84
Smoke Developed ¹15ASTM E84
Note

¹ - Tested at coverage rate of 45 sq. ft. per gal. in a 3 in. (7.6 cm) strip. Applied to rigid fiberglass duct board. Type 475, covered with foil/scrim/kraft paper facing material.

Regulatory & Compliance

Certifications & Compliance
Quality Standards
Certifications
  • California Dept. of Public Health Standard Method v1.2
  • VOC Emissions and Content requirements to contribute to LEED v4 EQ Credit: Low Emitting Materials - Paints and Coatings
  • Collaborative for High Performance Schools EQ 7.1
  • CHIL-TUFF™ CP-181 is produced under the classification and follow-up service of Underwriter’s Laboratories, Inc.
  • Meets NFPA 90A and 90B 25/50 requirements
  • Meets all SMACNA pressure classes up to 10” w.g. and SMACNA seal classes A, B and C on ducts constructed to SMACNA standards

Storage & Handling

Shelf Life
12 months
Storage Condition

Store between 40°F and 100°F; protect from freezing.