Choosing an insulation with the right compressive strength required for your application is vital to ensure long-term performance. Insulation materials with inadequate compressive strength can crush under the weight of the pipe system with its contents. Also, the thermal conductivity of crushed insulation increases exponentially, dramatically reducing its insulating effectiveness.
The compressive strength of an insulation is a good indicator of its ability to prevent crushing. Accessory materials such as vapor retarders, sealants and jacketing all function better with a firm, rigid base. Also, a high compressive strength increases the static load that can be applied to the pipe and jacketing and permits hanger installation on the outside of the jacketing, eliminating direct routes for moisture and heat transfer.
Trymer® Insulation and Extruded Polystyrene Pipe Insulation Billet (XPS PIB) from ITW Insulation Systems provide an excellent combination of high mechanical strength, thermal efficiency, and water and vapor resistance. Trymer pipe insulation products are available in compressive strengths from 17 psi to 140 psi (117 kPa to 970 kPa). XPS PIB has a compressive strength of 20 psi (138 kPa).
Browse Products to find a Trymer or XPS extruded polystyrene pipe insulation product to meet your project specifications.
