What are the types of black rubber insulation for air conditioning and chilled water pipes (Close cell insulation)?<\/h1><\/div>Black rubber insulation is manufactured from synthetic polymer rubber and extruded into tube and sheet forms. It has low thermal conductivity and a closed-cell structure that prevents water penetration, making it ideal for cooling systems to maintain system temperature.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Read more<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How many types of black rubber insulation are there?<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>We can divide commonly used black rubber insulation into 2 types:<\/p>\n
\n- Classified by fire propagation characteristics<\/li>\n
- Classified by rubber type<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Classified by fire propagation characteristics<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Fire propagation and flammability of construction materials is a critical consideration. For piping systems running throughout buildings, if materials attached to pipes are flammable and can spread fire, it can cause rapid fire spread throughout the building.<\/p>\n
Therefore, materials used in piping and air duct systems must be non-flammable or non-fire-propagating, with self-extinguishing properties to prevent fire spread along pipes. Black rubber insulation is typically tested according to BS 476 Standard (British Standard 476 Fire Test)<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Class 1: Black rubber insulation that passes BS 476 Part 7 is called Class 1<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>BS 476 Part 7 testing evaluates surface flame spread<\/p>\n
\n- We measure the time it takes for flames to spread past reference lines<\/li>\n
- We measure the spread distance after 1 minute 30 seconds<\/li>\n
- We measure the total spread distance until test completion (10 minutes or less)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
From the image below, at 1 minute 30 seconds, fire spread is classified into 4 levels<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"BS](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Classification-insulation-BS-476-Part-7.png\" "\\"Classification-insulation-BS-476-Part-7\\"")
<\/span> <\/div>BS 476 part 7 standard testing for surface flame spread<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Surface](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/classification-of-bs476-part-7.jpg\" "\\"classification-of-bs476-part-7\\"")
<\/span> <\/div>Surface flame spread test table according to BS 476 Part 7<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Examples of close cell class 1 air conditioning pipe insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>![\"Standard](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/close-cell-insulation-class-1.jpg\" "\\"close-cell-insulation-class-1\\"")
<\/span> <\/div>Standard Armaflex black rubber insulation has Class 1 fire protection<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Standard](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/aeroflex-standard-close-cell-insulation.jpg\" "\\"aeroflex-standard-close-cell-insulation\\"")
<\/span> <\/div>Standard Armaflex black rubber insulation has Class 1 fire protection<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 1 certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 1 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex standard black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n
- maxflex fr black rubber insulation \u2013 maxflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 0: Black rubber insulation that passes both BS 476 Part 6 and BS 476 Part 7 is called Class 0<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>We heat the material for 20 minutes while continuously measuring temperature to calculate the Fire Propagation index (I) and sub-indices i1<\/sub>, i2<\/sub>, i3 <\/span><\/sub> <\/p>\nMaterials certified as Class 0 must have an I value less than 12 and i1 <\/sub>less than 6<\/p>\n<\/div>Class 0 certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 0 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex FO black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
FM APPROVED: Black rubber insulation that passes FM 4924 standard is called FM APPROVED standard<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>The FM<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/a> testing doesn’t use small samples like other standards, but tests actual installations on real pipe systems, burning the entire system for 10 minutes. For materials to pass FM 4924 standard<\/p>\n\n- Flames must not spread to pipe ends<\/li>\n
- Temperature must not exceed 300\u00b0C<\/li>\n
- Burned insulation that falls from the system must self-extinguish within 10 seconds of hitting the ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
![\"ARMACELL](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/FM_Approved.jpg\" "\\"FM_Approved\\"")
<\/span> <\/div>FM Approved standard testing - Source: Armacell Thailand<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Examples of FM Approved air conditioning pipe insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>![\"Armaflex](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/close-cell-insulation-FM.jpg\" "\\"close-cell-insulation-FM\\"")
<\/span> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FM Approved certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 1 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex FO black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n
- Maxflex FR FM approved black rubber insulation – maxflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Classification by rubber material type<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Black rubber insulation is made from 2 types of base materials:<\/p>\n
\n- NBR (Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber)<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/li>\n
- EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer)<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Both types are synthetic rubbers with similar thermal conductivity of 0.032 – 0.039 W\/m.K and are suitable for air conditioning systems<\/p>\n<\/div>
Differences between NBR and EPDM insulation<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>While both materials are polymers with similar properties and can be used interchangeably, there are still distinct differences<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"NBR](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/compare-epdm-vs-nbr.jpg\" "\\"compare-epdm-vs-nbr\\"")
<\/span> <\/div>Comparison of NBR and EPDM black rubber insulation materials<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\nComparison table of NBR and EPDM insulation differences<\/p>\n
Black rubber insulation is manufactured from synthetic polymer rubber and extruded into tube and sheet forms. It has low thermal conductivity and a closed-cell structure that prevents water penetration, making it ideal for cooling systems to maintain system temperature.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Read more<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>How many types of black rubber insulation are there?<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>We can divide commonly used black rubber insulation into 2 types:<\/p>\n
\n- Classified by fire propagation characteristics<\/li>\n
- Classified by rubber type<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Classified by fire propagation characteristics<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Fire propagation and flammability of construction materials is a critical consideration. For piping systems running throughout buildings, if materials attached to pipes are flammable and can spread fire, it can cause rapid fire spread throughout the building.<\/p>\n
Therefore, materials used in piping and air duct systems must be non-flammable or non-fire-propagating, with self-extinguishing properties to prevent fire spread along pipes. Black rubber insulation is typically tested according to BS 476 Standard (British Standard 476 Fire Test)<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Class 1: Black rubber insulation that passes BS 476 Part 7 is called Class 1<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>BS 476 Part 7 testing evaluates surface flame spread<\/p>\n
\n- We measure the time it takes for flames to spread past reference lines<\/li>\n
- We measure the spread distance after 1 minute 30 seconds<\/li>\n
- We measure the total spread distance until test completion (10 minutes or less)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
From the image below, at 1 minute 30 seconds, fire spread is classified into 4 levels<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span> <\/div>BS 476 part 7 standard testing for surface flame spread<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span> <\/div>Surface flame spread test table according to BS 476 Part 7<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Examples of close cell class 1 air conditioning pipe insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/span> <\/div>Standard Armaflex black rubber insulation has Class 1 fire protection<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span> <\/div>Standard Armaflex black rubber insulation has Class 1 fire protection<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 1 certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 1 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex standard black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n
- maxflex fr black rubber insulation \u2013 maxflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 0: Black rubber insulation that passes both BS 476 Part 6 and BS 476 Part 7 is called Class 0<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>We heat the material for 20 minutes while continuously measuring temperature to calculate the Fire Propagation index (I) and sub-indices i1<\/sub>, i2<\/sub>, i3 <\/span><\/sub> <\/p>\nMaterials certified as Class 0 must have an I value less than 12 and i1 <\/sub>less than 6<\/p>\n<\/div>Class 0 certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 0 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex FO black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
FM APPROVED: Black rubber insulation that passes FM 4924 standard is called FM APPROVED standard<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>The FM<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/a> testing doesn’t use small samples like other standards, but tests actual installations on real pipe systems, burning the entire system for 10 minutes. For materials to pass FM 4924 standard<\/p>\n\n- Flames must not spread to pipe ends<\/li>\n
- Temperature must not exceed 300\u00b0C<\/li>\n
- Burned insulation that falls from the system must self-extinguish within 10 seconds of hitting the ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/span> <\/div>
FM Approved standard testing - Source: Armacell Thailand<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Examples of FM Approved air conditioning pipe insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/span> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FM Approved certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 1 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex FO black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n
- Maxflex FR FM approved black rubber insulation – maxflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Classification by rubber material type<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Black rubber insulation is made from 2 types of base materials:<\/p>\n
\n- NBR (Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber)<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/li>\n
- EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer)<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Both types are synthetic rubbers with similar thermal conductivity of 0.032 – 0.039 W\/m.K and are suitable for air conditioning systems<\/p>\n<\/div>
Differences between NBR and EPDM insulation<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>While both materials are polymers with similar properties and can be used interchangeably, there are still distinct differences<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span> <\/div>Comparison of NBR and EPDM black rubber insulation materials<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\nComparison table of NBR and EPDM insulation differences<\/p>\n
How many types of black rubber insulation are there?<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>We can divide commonly used black rubber insulation into 2 types:<\/p>\n
\n- Classified by fire propagation characteristics<\/li>\n
- Classified by rubber type<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Classified by fire propagation characteristics<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Fire propagation and flammability of construction materials is a critical consideration. For piping systems running throughout buildings, if materials attached to pipes are flammable and can spread fire, it can cause rapid fire spread throughout the building.<\/p>\n
Therefore, materials used in piping and air duct systems must be non-flammable or non-fire-propagating, with self-extinguishing properties to prevent fire spread along pipes. Black rubber insulation is typically tested according to BS 476 Standard (British Standard 476 Fire Test)<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Class 1: Black rubber insulation that passes BS 476 Part 7 is called Class 1<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>BS 476 Part 7 testing evaluates surface flame spread<\/p>\n
\n- We measure the time it takes for flames to spread past reference lines<\/li>\n
- We measure the spread distance after 1 minute 30 seconds<\/li>\n
- We measure the total spread distance until test completion (10 minutes or less)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
From the image below, at 1 minute 30 seconds, fire spread is classified into 4 levels<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span> <\/div>BS 476 part 7 standard testing for surface flame spread<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span> <\/div>Surface flame spread test table according to BS 476 Part 7<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Examples of close cell class 1 air conditioning pipe insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/span> <\/div>Standard Armaflex black rubber insulation has Class 1 fire protection<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span> <\/div>Standard Armaflex black rubber insulation has Class 1 fire protection<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 1 certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 1 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex standard black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n
- maxflex fr black rubber insulation \u2013 maxflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 0: Black rubber insulation that passes both BS 476 Part 6 and BS 476 Part 7 is called Class 0<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>We heat the material for 20 minutes while continuously measuring temperature to calculate the Fire Propagation index (I) and sub-indices i1<\/sub>, i2<\/sub>, i3 <\/span><\/sub> <\/p>\nMaterials certified as Class 0 must have an I value less than 12 and i1 <\/sub>less than 6<\/p>\n<\/div>Class 0 certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 0 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex FO black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
FM APPROVED: Black rubber insulation that passes FM 4924 standard is called FM APPROVED standard<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>The FM<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/a> testing doesn’t use small samples like other standards, but tests actual installations on real pipe systems, burning the entire system for 10 minutes. For materials to pass FM 4924 standard<\/p>\n\n- Flames must not spread to pipe ends<\/li>\n
- Temperature must not exceed 300\u00b0C<\/li>\n
- Burned insulation that falls from the system must self-extinguish within 10 seconds of hitting the ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/span> <\/div>
FM Approved standard testing - Source: Armacell Thailand<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Examples of FM Approved air conditioning pipe insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/span> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FM Approved certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n- Armaflex Class 1 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex FO black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n
- Maxflex FR FM approved black rubber insulation – maxflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Classification by rubber material type<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Black rubber insulation is made from 2 types of base materials:<\/p>\n
\n- NBR (Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber)<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/li>\n
- EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer)<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Both types are synthetic rubbers with similar thermal conductivity of 0.032 – 0.039 W\/m.K and are suitable for air conditioning systems<\/p>\n<\/div>
Differences between NBR and EPDM insulation<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/div>While both materials are polymers with similar properties and can be used interchangeably, there are still distinct differences<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span> <\/div>Comparison of NBR and EPDM black rubber insulation materials<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\nComparison table of NBR and EPDM insulation differences<\/p>\n
We can divide commonly used black rubber insulation into 2 types:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Classified by fire propagation characteristics<\/li>\n
- Classified by rubber type<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Classified by fire propagation characteristics<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
Fire propagation and flammability of construction materials is a critical consideration. For piping systems running throughout buildings, if materials attached to pipes are flammable and can spread fire, it can cause rapid fire spread throughout the building.<\/p>\n
Therefore, materials used in piping and air duct systems must be non-flammable or non-fire-propagating, with self-extinguishing properties to prevent fire spread along pipes. Black rubber insulation is typically tested according to BS 476 Standard (British Standard 476 Fire Test)<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 1: Black rubber insulation that passes BS 476 Part 7 is called Class 1<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
BS 476 Part 7 testing evaluates surface flame spread<\/p>\n
- \n
- We measure the time it takes for flames to spread past reference lines<\/li>\n
- We measure the spread distance after 1 minute 30 seconds<\/li>\n
- We measure the total spread distance until test completion (10 minutes or less)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
From the image below, at 1 minute 30 seconds, fire spread is classified into 4 levels<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>BS 476 part 7 standard testing for surface flame spread<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Surface flame spread test table according to BS 476 Part 7<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Examples of close cell class 1 air conditioning pipe insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Standard Armaflex black rubber insulation has Class 1 fire protection<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Standard Armaflex black rubber insulation has Class 1 fire protection<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 1 certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>
- \n
- Armaflex Class 1 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex standard black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n
- maxflex fr black rubber insulation \u2013 maxflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Class 0: Black rubber insulation that passes both BS 476 Part 6 and BS 476 Part 7 is called Class 0<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
We heat the material for 20 minutes while continuously measuring temperature to calculate the Fire Propagation index (I) and sub-indices i1<\/sub>, i2<\/sub>, i3 <\/span><\/sub> <\/p>\n
Materials certified as Class 0 must have an I value less than 12 and i1 <\/sub>less than 6<\/p>\n<\/div>
Class 0 certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>
- \n
- Armaflex Class 0 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex FO black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
FM APPROVED: Black rubber insulation that passes FM 4924 standard is called FM APPROVED standard<\/strong><\/h4><\/div>
The FM<\/span><\/u><\/span><\/a> testing doesn’t use small samples like other standards, but tests actual installations on real pipe systems, burning the entire system for 10 minutes. For materials to pass FM 4924 standard<\/p>\n
- \n
- Flames must not spread to pipe ends<\/li>\n
- Temperature must not exceed 300\u00b0C<\/li>\n
- Burned insulation that falls from the system must self-extinguish within 10 seconds of hitting the ground<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/span><\/div>
FM Approved standard testing - Source: Armacell Thailand<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Examples of FM Approved air conditioning pipe insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FM Approved certified black rubber insulation<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>
- \n
- Armaflex Class 1 black rubber insulation \u2013 armacell<\/li>\n
- aeroflex FO black rubber insulation \u2013 aeroflex<\/li>\n
- Maxflex FR FM approved black rubber insulation – maxflex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Classification by rubber material type<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
Black rubber insulation is made from 2 types of base materials:<\/p>\n
- \n
- NBR (Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber)<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/li>\n
- EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer)<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Both types are synthetic rubbers with similar thermal conductivity of 0.032 – 0.039 W\/m.K and are suitable for air conditioning systems<\/p>\n<\/div>
Differences between NBR and EPDM insulation<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>While both materials are polymers with similar properties and can be used interchangeably, there are still distinct differences<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Comparison of NBR and EPDM black rubber insulation materials<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\nComparison table of NBR and EPDM insulation differences<\/p>\n
- EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene Diene Monomer)<\/u><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- NBR (Nitrile-Butadiene Rubber)<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/li>\n
![\"Psychrometric](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Psychometric-Chart.jpg\" "\\"Psychometric-Chart\\"")
<\/span>![\"Chilled](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/pipe_with_rubber-insulation.jpg\" "\\"pipe_with_rubber-insulation\\"")
<\/span>![\"Chiller](\"https:\/\/3t-insulation.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Chiller-with-insulation.jpg\" "\\"Chiller-with-insulation\\"")
<\/span>