Insulation Material Data
Insulation Material Data
Compare thermal and service limits, moisture and compressive behavior, planning thickness, jacketing compatibility, personnel protection and CUI risk.
Quick material profile
Explore temperature ranges and thermal properties.
Typical Services
HotPersonnel protectionNon-combustible
Operating Temperature Range
-18°C to 650°C
-273°C0°C+1200°C
Thermal Cond. (k)
0.040
W/m·K @ 100°C
Density
100
kg/m³ (Nominal)
Standard
ASTM C547
Material Spec.
Thermal and service reference data
Showing 11 of 11 materials
| Family | k ref (°C) | Fire | Service | Material standard | Reference note | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerogel Blanket | Flexible blanket | 0.020 | 100 | -200 | 650 | 150 | Non-combustible | HotColdCryogenicPersonnel protection | ASTM C1728 | Low conductivity and thin profile; verify grade-specific temperature range. |
| Phenolic Foam | Rigid foam | 0.021 | 25 | -180 | 150 | 40 | Combustible | ColdCryogenic | ASTM C1126 | Low conductivity with generally low flame-spread and smoke; verify grade fire performance and corrosion compatibility. |
| Polyurethane Foam (PUF) | Rigid foam | 0.025 | 25 | -200 | 120 | 40 | Combustible | ColdCryogenic | ASTM C591 | Closed-cell cold-service insulation; confirm fire, vapour-barrier and temperature requirements. |
| Polyisocyanurate (PIR) | Rigid foam | 0.026 | 25 | -180 | 150 | 45 | Combustible | ColdCryogenic | ASTM C591 | Rigid closed-cell foam for cold and cryogenic service; requires effective vapour barrier and fire review. |
| Fiberglass | Fibrous | 0.035 | 25 | -4 | 450 | 48 | Non-combustible | HotPersonnel protection | ASTM C547 | Typical screening preset for fibrous pipe insulation; verify product classification. |
| Elastomeric Foam (NBR) | Flexible closed-cell | 0.036 | 25 | -50 | 110 | 55 | Combustible | Cold | ASTM C534 | Flexible closed-cell foam with built-in vapour resistance; common for chilled-water and condensation control. Confirm flame-spread and smoke limits. |
| Mineral Wool | Fibrous | 0.040 | 100 | -18 | 650 | 100 | Non-combustible | HotPersonnel protection | ASTM C547 | Preformed mineral-fibre pipe insulation; protect from moisture and weather exposure. |
| Cellular Glass | Rigid closed-cell | 0.045 | 25 | -268 | 427 | 120 | Non-combustible | HotColdCryogenic | ASTM C552 | Closed-cell, low water-vapour permeability; suits cold and cryogenic service where moisture ingress must be controlled. |
| Expanded Perlite | Rigid inorganic | 0.055 | 100 | 0 | 650 | 190 | Non-combustible | HotPersonnel protection | ASTM C610 | Common hot-service rigid insulation; protect against water ingress. |
| Calcium Silicate | Rigid inorganic | 0.060 | 100 | 27 | 927 | 240 | Non-combustible | HotPersonnel protection | ASTM C533 | High compressive strength; common at supports and high-temperature service. |
| Ceramic Fiber | Fibrous refractory | 0.100 | 400 | 0 | 1200 | 128 | Non-combustible | HotPersonnel protection | ASTM C892 | Refractory fibre blanket for very high-temperature service; conductivity rises steeply with mean temperature. |
Design, moisture and CUI guidance
Planning ranges organize the design study; they do not replace heat-transfer, condensation, support-load or fire calculations.
| Material | Water / moisture | Compressive behavior | Planning thickness | Jacketing / barrier | CUI risk | Reference edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerogel Blanket | Many grades are hydrophobic but not waterproof; verify aging and immersion performance. | Flexible and resilient; point-load capacity is system dependent. | 10–50 mmThin-profile planning range; use certified k-curve in the design calculation. | Aluminium · Stainless steel · Flexible weather barrier where qualified | MediumHydrophobicity may reduce wetting, but seams, contamination and damaged jacketing still permit CUI. | Verify active project edition |
| Phenolic Foam | Grade and facing dependent; cut edges and joints require sealing. | Moderate but brittle; verify support load and handling damage. | 25–120 mmCold-service planning range; calculate with certified aged conductivity. | Aluminium · Stainless steel · Continuous vapour retarder | HighWater ingress and insulation chemistry/contaminants require a material-specific corrosion review. | Verify active project edition |
| Polyurethane Foam (PUF) | Low for intact closed-cell foam; joints and damaged vapour barrier govern system moisture. | Moderate; verify density and creep under support load. | 25–150 mmCold/cryogenic planning range; calculate condensation and vapour-barrier duty. | Aluminium · Stainless steel · Continuous vapour retarder | MediumHidden water at failed joints can remain trapped; fire and decomposition chemistry also require review. | Verify active project edition |
| Polyisocyanurate (PIR) | Low for intact closed-cell foam; verify aged properties and joint sealing. | Moderate; verify density, creep and support inserts. | 25–150 mmCold/cryogenic planning range; calculate heat gain and condensation control. | Aluminium · Stainless steel · Continuous vapour retarder | MediumVapour-barrier discontinuities and damaged cells can trap water at the pipe. | Verify active project edition |
| Fiberglass | Porous system; facing and installation control water entry. | Low; protect against crushing and use support inserts. | 25–100 mmCommon planning range; verify product class and calculated duty. | Aluminium · Stainless steel · All-service jacket for indoor use | HighWet fibrous insulation and damaged jacketing can create persistent external corrosion conditions. | C547-25 |
| Elastomeric Foam (NBR) | Low for intact closed-cell material; seal all seams and penetrations. | Low; avoid compression that reduces thickness. | 13–50 mmCondensation-control planning range; calculate for ambient humidity and line temperature. | UV-resistant coating · Flexible protective covering · Metal jacket where detailed against compression | LowIntegral vapour resistance helps when seams remain sealed; concealed failures still require inspection. | Verify active project edition |
| Mineral Wool | Porous system; water performance is product and facing dependent. Keep dry. | Low to moderate; use a load-bearing insert at supports. | 25–100 mmCommon industrial planning range; calculate heat loss/surface temperature. | Aluminium · Stainless steel · GRP/FRP weather barrier | HighWet fibrous insulation can retain water against the pipe; seals and support details govern. | C547-25 |
| Cellular Glass | Hermetically closed-cell material with very low bulk absorption when intact; joints remain system weak points. | High but brittle; distribute point loads and follow fabrication details. | 25–150 mmBroad hot-to-cryogenic planning range; calculate condensation and heat gain/loss. | Aluminium · Stainless steel · Vapour-barrier mastic/membrane | LowLow bulk permeability helps, but open joints, damage and poor terminations can admit water. | C552-22 |
| Expanded Perlite | Water-repellent grades exist, but cut surfaces and joints require weather protection. | Moderate to high; verify grade-specific load and deformation. | 25–100 mmHot-service planning range; calculate duty and support reaction. | Aluminium · Stainless steel | MediumRisk rises quickly where weather seals or cut joints allow water entry. | Verify active project edition |
| Calcium Silicate | Absorptive inorganic material; weather barrier and sealed joints are essential. | High relative to fibrous insulation; commonly considered near load-bearing locations. | 25–100 mmHot-service planning range; calculate heat loss and support loads. | Aluminium · Stainless steel | HighWater ingress can be retained and concentrate contaminants at the metal surface. | C533-17(2023) |
| Ceramic Fiber | Porous blanket; external service needs a robust weather barrier. | Low; retain mechanically and avoid crushing. | 25–100 mmHigh-temperature planning range; conductivity rises strongly with mean temperature. | Stainless steel · High-temperature alloy jacket | HighExternal water entry into porous blanket can hold moisture during shutdown/cycling. | C892-19(2024) |