Fast, faster, Arma-Chek Silver: Prefabricated fitting covers save time and money
Armacell adds AF/ArmaFlex elbows and T-pieces to its product range
Münster, 15 December 2016 – Using the 2-in-1 Arma-Chek Silver insulation system delivers significant time- and cost-savings during installation. Now the process is even simpler and faster thanks to the new AF/ArmaFlex elbows and T-pieces. Whereas in the past installers often had to fabricate fitting covers out of ArmaFlex under difficult conditions on the building site, they can now turn to factory-made products.
Even more efficient with prefabricated fitting covers
In recent years, flexible 2-in-1 insulation systems have established themselves as efficient alternatives to metal or PVC jackets. They not only look attractive and provide robust protection against weathering and mechanical impact but also allow considerable time- and cost-savings during the installation. Armacell has now added a further installation-friendly product solution to its range: the prefabricated AF/ArmaFlex elbows and T-pieces are simply cut open, laid around the component to be insulated and glued. Then they are covered with the Arma-Chek Silver elbows and T-pieces. Thus fabrication and installation times can be reduced even further.
System solution for high energy efficiency and condensation control
Available are 90°-elbows and T-pieces for inner diameters ranging from 15 to 89 mm in the insulation thicknesses AF-2 (11.5 mm – 14.5 mm), AF-4 (17 – 22 mm) and AF-5 (25 – 30.5 mm). The fitting covers have engineered wall thicknesses and are perfectly coordinated with both the AF/ArmaFlex and the Arma-Chek Silver range. They can, of course, also be combined with Arma-Chek D, Okabell or Okapak. With a thermal conductivity of λ0° ≤ 0.033 W/(m∙K) and a resistance to water-vapour transmission of µ ≥ 10,000∗ the classic insulation material AF/ArmaFlex reliably guarantees that condensation is prevented and energy losses minimized. The antimicrobial Microban® technology provides active protection against harmful bacteria and mould.
Quick-to-install 2-in-1 solutions
Unlike traditional insulation materials and coverings, Arma-Chek Silver can be installed in one work step. An additional benefit is that they can be fitted easily, directly on site without the need for special tools. These lightweight products are rot-resistant and offer high mechanical stability whilst still retaining a certain degree of flexibility. Furthermore, flexible covering systems provide good protection against corrosion under insulation. Arma-Chek Silver is UV-resistant and suitable for equipment located both indoors and outdoors.
Protection against corrosion under the insulation
A key advantage of flexible covering systems is the direct connection to the adjoining insulation, which rules out any risk of water penetrating at these points. If the covering system is not absolutely tight – and with metal jackets it is never completely possible to ensure that it is – water can penetrate the insulation. Moisture not only leads to a drastic reduction in the thermal properties of the insulation material, significant corrosion damage can occur underneath the insulation, which can result in extensive renovation work and considerable costs. As the term ‘corrosion under insulation’ (CUI) aptly describes, the processes take place underneath the insulation and its covering, so they often remain undetected for a long time. An application com¬parison has shown that pipework insulated with Arma-Chek Silver is much better protected against corrosion than metal-clad installations. Flexible coverings also have hygiene benefits: where there are no seams or crimps, no germs can penetrate and settle in the insulation. These easy-to-clean systems are therefore ideal for use in the food industry.
Reliable insulation with aesthetic covering
Arma-Chek Silver is the perfect solution wherever not only robust protection against weather¬ing and mechanical stress is required, but also an attractive appearance. The covering mate¬rial with a shiny, metal-look surface effectively protects the insulation material against mechanical impact and at the same time is so flexible that it recovers from blows, usually leaving no dents in the surface. The sur¬face is very easy to clean, the system is simple to install and maintain. The UV-resistance of the multi-layered covering material is continuously subjected to weathering tests in accordance with DIN EN ISO 4892 (Weather-Ometer). The material can be cut easily and has high tear and impact resistance.