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Insulation Efficiency

The number one job of an insulation material is to provide reliable thermal protection to the pipe system, allowing it to operate at its specified operating temperature. Pipe insulation efficiency is generally discussed in terms of its thermal conductivity, or k-factor, which is given in BTU·in/hr·ft2·°F (W/m·°C). The lower the k-factor, the more efficient the insulation. At a given thickness, an insulation with a lower k-factor further reduces energy costs by providing additional resistance to heat transfer.

An efficient insulation (one with lower k-factor) allows the use of thinner cross sections to provide a specified insulation effectiveness. Thinner cross sections require fewer accessory materials such as jacketing, vapor retarders and sealants. This also enables designing systems for small, confined spaces and running series of pipes with tighter tolerances between each line.

Trymer™ polyisocyanurate pipe insulation and Styrofoam™ extruded polystyrene pipe insulation are two highly efficient insulating solutions.

At 0.19 BTU·in/hr·ft2·°F (0.027 W/m·°C), Trymer pipe insulation has one of the lowest ambient k-factors among all pipe insulations.

Styrofoam pipe insulation also has a low k-factor: 0.259 BTU·in/hr·ft2·°F (0.037 W/m·°C).

The closed-cell structure of both of these high-performance materials from Dow also contributes to their ability to resist water and water vapor intrusion, further enhancing their long-term insulation effectiveness.

Browse Products to find a Trymer or Styrofoam pipe insulation product to meet your project specifications.

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