{"id":6900,"date":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/exploring-insulation-materials-microporous-insulation\/"},"modified":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-07-01T00:00:00","slug":"exploring-insulation-materials-microporous-insulation","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/exploring-insulation-materials-microporous-insulation\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring Insulation Materials: Microporous Insulation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Microporous insulation
\nis a composite material in the form of compacted powder or fibers with an
\naverage interconnecting pore size comparable to or below the mean free path of
\nair molecules at standard atmospheric pressure. Microporous insulation may
\ncontain opacifiers to reduce the amount of radiant heat transmitted.<\/span><\/p>\n

The resulting
\nblend of materials and pore structure produces a thermal insulation with
\nextremely low thermal conductivity across a broad temperature range. The
\nMicroporous core material is completely inorganic, making it non-combustible
\nand suitable for passive fire protection applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

An ASTM
\nspecification for Microporous insulation is under development with the
\nfollowing Grades and types: Grade 2 Hydrophobic has been chemically treated to
\nmake the insulation <\/a>water-repellent. The water repellency
\nis maintained up to its grade operating temperature
\nof 250\u00b0C. Above this temperature it performs as standard Grade 2.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Microporous Board
\nInsulation<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Microporous Rigid
\nBoards (Type I) are supplied in 2 primary forms. The first, typically identified as block or board, is an
\nun-faced flat section of Microporous<\/span> insulation compressed to a density
\nof typically 18–25 pcf. The second type, identified as panel, is a flat section
\nof Microporous insulation which has been encapsulated with a high temperature
\nglass facing to minimize dust and improve handling. Normal densities are 14–18
\npcf. Rigid Boards have superior compressive strength but normally cannot be
\nflexed without cracking or breaking the material. Boards are produced in
\nthicknesses from ⅛” to 4″ depending on the specific type.<\/span><\/p>\n

Microporous Flexible
\nPanel Insulation<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Flexible Microporous
\nPanels (Type II) are manufactured at a lower density of approximately 8–16 pcf.
\nThey are also faced with a high temperature glass facing but also are often
\nstitched through, in one or two directions, using a high temperature thread.
\nThe lower density and the segregation caused by the stitching allows the
\nmaterial to be flexed to cylindrical or contoured surfaces. Thicknesses range
\nfrom ⅛” to \u00be”.<\/span><\/p>\n

Microporous Pipe
\nSections (Type III) are supplied as hollow cylinder shapes split in half
\nlengthwise or as curved segments. Pipe insulation sections are typically
\nsupplied in lengths of 19.7″ (\u00bd meter), and are available in sizes to
\nfit most standard pipe sizes. Microporous Pipe Sections are faced with a high
\ntemperature glass facing to improve handling. The thickness is 1″ (25mm).
\nThicker insulation can normally be supplied as nested sections for most pipe
\nsizes. Pipe sections can also be used in combination with Type II Flexible Panels
\nto meet specific thickness requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n

With the
\nexception of Hydrophobic Grade, all Microporous Insulation is permanently
\ndamaged by liquid water. Therefore protective jacketing must be used when the
\napplication is subjected to potential environmental conditions or water spray.
\nLikewise, care must be taken during transportation, storage, and installation
\nto prevent contact. Humidity does not degrade Microporous Insulation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The standard facings for most Microporous
\nInsulations are high temperature<\/span> glass fabrics that have a use
\ntemperature that is below the maximum use temperature of the core. In the
\nmajority of applications, the Microporous Insulation is further jacketed,
\nencapsulated, or sandwiched with other materials in a static environment. In
\nthese environments, the facing provides mainly a handling and installation
\nbenefit. In applications where the product must function dynamically at
\ntemperatures above 800\u00b0F, the product should be encapsulated in materials
\nappropriate for the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typical values
\nfor thermal conductivity in Btu•in\/(hr•ft\u00b2•\u00b0F) are 0.15 at 392\u00b0F, 0.17 at
\n752\u00b0F, and 0.19 at 1112\u00b0F. Microporous Insulation has compressive strength of
\n80 psi for a 10% deflection in a typical board product.<\/span><\/p>\n

Microporous
\nInsulation is most often used where a maximum amount of thermal resistance is
\nneeded with minimal thickness and weight. Typical applications include piping
\nand equipment operating at temperatures above 250\u00b0F, tanks, vessels, heat
\nexchangers, valve and fitting insulation, exhaust ducts, electronic
\ninstruments, and fire protection.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Microporous insulation is a composite material in the form of compacted powder or fibers with an average interconnecting pore size comparable to or below the mean free path of air molecules at standard atmospheric pressure. Microporous insulation may contain opacifiers to reduce the amount of radiant heat transmitted. The resulting blend of materials and pore<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":[],"featured_media":0,"template":"","categories":[38,301,297],"class_list":["post-6900","articles","type-articles","status-publish","hentry","category-material-selection","category-design","category-basic-understanding"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nExploring Insulation Materials: Microporous Insulation - Insulation Outlook Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/exploring-insulation-materials-microporous-insulation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Exploring Insulation Materials: Microporous Insulation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Microporous insulation is a composite material in the form of compacted powder or fibers with an average interconnecting pore size comparable to or below the mean free path of air molecules at standard atmospheric pressure. 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