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What is Phenolic Foam Insulation?
Phenolic insulation is rigid foam insulation with a closed-cell structure. It is manufactured as large rectangular buns typically 4 ft wide x 3-12 ft long x 1-2 ft tall at a density of 2 lbs/ft³. Prior to actual installation, buns are fabricated into various shapes including flat boards and preformed pipe half-shells 3 ft long and designed to fit over NPS pipe and tubing. More complex shapes can also be fabricated to fit around fittings, elbows, and other equipment. ASTM material specification C 1126, Type III, Grade 1 covers this type of insulation at service temperatures from -290°F to +257°F. The specification defines requirements for density, compressive resistance, thermal conductivity, water absorption, water vapor permeability, and dimensional stability. While this ASTM spec lists two grades and three types, only the Type III, Grade 1 is appropriate for use in pipe insulation. The other types are boards either faced with a vapor retarder or not and used for building sheathing and roofing, respectively. Grade 2 is an open cell product. For comparison purposes, the maximum thermal conductivities at 75°F for the Type III, Grade 1 phenolic insulation is 0.13 Btu-in/hr-ft²-°F.
Key applications for this phenolic insulation are on pipe, equipment, tanks, and ducts, especially those operating at temperatures below ambient.
Phenolic Insulation ApplicationsMechanical Insulation: |