Chart for estimating, ordering and minimizing waste when insulating large pipes with Aerocel® EPDM Sheet & Roll.

With so many piping types (metallic and plastic) available on the market with varying outside diameters (OD’s), it can be a challenge to achieve the right fit with preformed pipe insulation. Like most American mechanical insulation manufacturers, Aeroflex USA’s Aerocel® brand of EPDM closed cell foam pipe insulation tubes are manufactured with inside diameter (ID)…

Although closed-cell elastomeric foam insulation has been commercially available since the 1950s, some confusion still exists about the performance properties and benefits of this insulation type. That said, closed-cell elastomeric foam insulation has proven to be one of the top choices for cold (below-ambient) mechanical pipe and equipment applications. The purpose of this post is…

One of the greatest threats, sources of system failure, and maintenance/replacement costs
to mechanical systems is corrosion to the metallic surfaces of piping and equipment.

HVAC refrigerant pipe insulation is a critical component to a well-designed refrigeration system to achieve long-term performance and life cycle costs for building owners. Refrigeration systems are demanding and generally operate continuously with the potential for downtime to be minimized. While every refrigeration system has its own set of unique requirements, they all have two…

Refrigerant piping must often be installed in building exteriors, such as rooftops, to convey refrigerants between large roof-top HVAC systems and interior equipment to provide conditioned air to the building’s occupant spaces and equipment. U.S. commercial energy codes and standards, such as ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except for Low-Rise Residential Buildings, International Energy…

Plenum spaces in buildings are designed to discreetly house building systems such as HVAC equipment & return airflow, pipe runs, and digital cables. Although air plenums are typically out-of-sight, typically located above ceiling grids or in under-floor systems, mechanical design and plenum-rated pipe and duct insulation are critically important to ensure the safety of building…

A common failure point of mechanical insulation on cold (below-ambient) piping systems is
at the hanger locations due to compression of insulation subjected to inadequate support
or no insulation at all (thermal bridging)

Certain HVAC, refrigeration and plumbing pipe insulation applications require more than a single layer of Aerocel^® EPDM flexible elastomeric insulation to control condensation in demanding conditions such as a cold line temperature in a hot and humid operating environment. Our “nesting” chart offers the best fit for installing an additional layer (sleeving) over the most common copper and iron pipe insulation sizes. It’s important to note that Aeroflex USA tests 1”, 1-1/2” and 2” thicknesses for ASTM E84 25/50 flame/smoke compliance. We do not test other thickness combinations, and thicknesses over 2” will not pass ASTM E84.

Refrigeration pipe insulation is crucial for refrigeration systems. Refrigeration systems, also known as below-ambient systems, vary by application (commercial and industrial), temperature requirements (high & low), refrigerant types (traditional and natural) and operating environments. Common refrigeration system applications include supermarkets, cold storage, food processing, beverage dispensing lines, ice rinks, morgues, laboratories, chillers, data centers and…