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Hydrocarbon-Blown Polyiso and LTTR
In 2002 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published its ruling on acceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances in the foam blowing sector. Pentane has since become the blowing agent of choice in the manufacture of polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam. Different blends of pentane isomers are used by different manufacturers, however. Since pentane isomers each have different physical properties it is important to note the characteristics of different PIR brands may vary.
Yet the industry has gained sufficient knowledge and experience to form general conclusions that debunk some of the misconceptions that still exist - - particularly surrounding R-factors and LTTR. For example, LTTR is measured at "ambient" temperatures (within conditions that could reasonably reflect roofing application, for instance). At lower temperatures, however, such as those experienced by chill water or liquid natural gas insulation, the diffusion rate of gases in and out of the cells is materially reduced as temperature is lowered, hence reducing the decay in R-factor that is so frequently used in arguments against polyiso. For more misconception debunking, follow the link below.
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| Watch for Dyplast Products' Advertising in Insulation Outlook Magazine, as well as McGraw-Hill Construction's Product News |
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Insulation Conferences in 2005
For a list of conferences and conventions of interest to the insulation industry More and more, we need to be connected to a network of resources for mutual benefit and growth.
And although you need these contacts to support your success, the approach to building a valuable network involves giving—not taking. The more you give to your network colleagues, the more they will be there when you truly need them.
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Pentane and Ozone Depletion Potential
The most common pentane blowing agents used in the manufacture of polyisocyanurate rigid foam are combinations of one or more N-pentane, Iso-pentane, and C-pentane. All three pentane isomers have zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and either a zero or very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) potential (less than .00044). For this reason, the EPA lists pentane, as a suitable replacement for hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC’s) which are considered harmful to the stratosphere.
HCFC-141b was a common blowing agent in use prior to January 1, 2005 and was considered to be an ozone-depleting substance since over time cells break down in the presence of strong ultraviolet (UV) radiation and release chlorine or bromine atoms, which destroy ozone molecules. In fact, one chlorine or bromine molecule can reportedly destroy 100,000 ozone molecules. Yet even HCFC-141 was a step improvement over its predecessor because it reduced the ozone depleting power by 90% (compared to the chlorofluorocarbon CFC-11).
The pentane based chemistry provides 100 percent reduction of ozone depletion. The added benefit of either zero or low global warming potential is an indirect advantage of pentane formulation.
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A Note to Readers
The Dyplast Brand Celebrates its 47th Birthday
It was back in 1958 that the Dyplast brand began its journey to represent the leading edge of rigid foam insulation. My tenure with the organization began, of course, in 2003 when I led the purchase of Miami operations of the Apache Products Company - - including the long heritage, the technology, and the continuity of commitment to clients.
Dyplast Products, LLC is the reinvigoration of the best of Dyplast. Our new facilities and equipment may be the most visible symbol of the strength of the brand; yet I point to our employees who have been with us an average of 18 years, our clients (some of whom have been our friends for 3 decades), and our sound financial base as even more credible testaments to our commitment in this industry.
If you're new to Dyplast, you'll discover that our products and the people that stand behind them are a cut above the competition. Polyiso and expanded polystyrene are our only focus, and we are experts in the field. We have the production capacity and delivery chain to exceed your expectations.
So, as we approach our 50th birthday, and then our 75th, and beyond, our commitment to our clients remains as strong as it was in 1958. Thanks for stopping by. As always, your feedback is both welcome and encouraged.
Ted Berglund
President and CEO
tberglund@dyplastproducts.com
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Which ASTM Standard Governs Polyiso or EPS K-Factor Testing?
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VIRTUAL TOUR
If You Can't Make it to Miami, We'll Take Miami to You
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Which CSI MasterFormat 2004 Section Best Covers HVAC System Pipe Insulation?
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NEW LINE OF HIGH DENSITY POLYISO FOAMS
Watch our website for updates on our new line of high density polyiso foam, including:
www.dyplastproducts.com
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Insulation and CSI's MasterFormat 2004
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), along with sister organization Construction Specifications Canada (CSC), recently completed a major overhaul of MasterFormat™ - - the specifications-writing standard for most commercial building design and construction projects in North America. Referred to as MasterFormat 2004, it lists titles and section numbers for organizing data about construction requirements, products, and activities.
Engineers, specifiers, manufacturers, buyers, and contractors whose job sometimes involves insulation should be familiar with the MasterFormat classifications for the various components of insulation systems. Specifications that reference the appropriate nomenclature and numbering systems will be more concise and easier to interpret, resulting in better outcomes at the buyer and contractor levels.
Follow the link below to obtain a short-hand list of MasterFormat 2004 classifications for various insulation components such as vapor retarders, mastics, and so forth.
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Insulation Systems: Is the Sum of the Parts Greater or Less Than the Whole?
There is generally plenty of focus on the type and properties of insulation during the specification and buying process, and insufficient attention to the insulation system as a whole. Whether its roofing, wall, foundation, piping, tank, or equipment insulation, the overall design and optimum application of accessory materials can mean the difference between long term success and failure. Each application has its own peculiarites, but the point can be made by looking at a chill water piping application.
The primary insulation design criteria typically includes thermal conductivity (K-factor and thickness), spread/smoke development, moisture permeability. Other criteria might include compressive strength, thermal expansion properties, and so on. The question posed herein is whether the insulation system components that are integral to the system can be designed to complement these criteria or do they necessarily degrade the attainment of the criteria?
The ASTM E84 fire/smoke criteria offer a good example. It is conventional wisdom that cellular glass insulation has the best E84 rating since glass does not burn. Yet Pittwrap multi-ply bituminous laminate is quite flammable and usually recommended as a vapor retarder over cellular glass, so the fire/smoke rating of the system is degraded.
On the other hand, polyisocyanurate insulation in the same application may have a slightly higher E84 rating but can be designed within a system that improves the overall system fire/smoke characteristics. [Note that building codes generally focus on the E84 rating of the insulation and do not take the overall system characteristics into consideration.]
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Expanded versus Extruded Polystyrene
A surprisingly large number of otherwise-informed people know very little about the differences between expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XEPS). Some may even think they're the same thing. The fact is that the diifferences are considerable.
EPS and XEPS are both rigid, closed cell, thermoplastic foam materials. EPS (often called beadboard) is produced from solid beads of polystyrene. Expansion is achieved by virtue of small amounts of pentane gas dissolved into the polystyrene base material during production. The gas expands under the action of heat, applied as steam, to form closed cells of EPS. These cells occupy approximately 40 times the volume of the original polystyrene bead. The beads can be molded to specifications to form insulation boards, blocks or customized shapes for the building insulation or packaging industries.
XEPS foam begins with solid polystyrene crystals. The crystals, along with special additives and a blowing agent, are fed into an extruder. Within the extruder the mixture is combined and melted, under controlled conditions of high temperature and pressure, into a viscous plastic fluid. The hot, thick liquid is then forced in a continuous process through a die. As it emerges from the die it expands to a foam, is shaped, cooled, and trimmed to dimension. Dow Styrofoam is the most well-known brand of XEPS.
To see a comparison of the properties of each, click the link below:
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Green Building: A Who's Who
You are likely reading more and more about "Green Building", and some are saying it's finally taking hold among building owners, tenants, engineers, and specifiers. Higher energy prices clearly help drive part of the movement. In future newsletters we will address issues that are relevant to the insulation industry, and we will attempt to add clarity to the often confusing world of green.
To begin with, we thought it may be helpful to provide a listing of some of the prime websites that we consider credible and dynamic in the green construction business.
Just click the link below:
View our list of green building websites.
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