FAQ Series: What are the material R-values for Airpop® (EPS) and Airehide®(EPP)?
R-value Definition: The capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.
When choosing Airpop® (EPS) or Airehide® (EPP) for an upcoming project, it’s important to look at the capacity and insulating qualities needed to make your project a success. At Plymouth Foam, we keep your specific requirements in mind to ensure the job is done well.
Airpop® R-value
The R-value of Airpop® (EPS) is stable and does not change over time. There are requirements for both product labeling (R-value) and advertising which mandate specific ASTM methods for thermal testing. ”R-values are reported for 1-inch of thickness and are not necessarily per inch of thickness (for residential construction only). R-values are usually reported at mean temperatures of 75ºF. per FTC regulations,” EPS Industry Alliance.
How is the R-value determined? The EPS Industry Alliance notes, “R-Value is based on a mathematical term known as R-factor. The term R-value was developed to represent the ability of an insulation material to restrict heat flow. It is determined by placing test specimens between two plates in a laboratory apparatus and measuring heat-flow through the insulation. The test specimen usually consists of a square foot of material exactly one inch thick whose surfaces have a temperature differential of 1ºF. The thermal conductivity (k) of a material is expressed as the rate of heat flow in British thermal units per hour.”
Image of ASTM C578 Physical Properties of EPS.
Airehide®- Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) R-value
Please note Airehide® is a polymer blend and has the ability to be expanded versions of many material variations.
Airehide® (EPP), just one example, has a standard R-Value of 4.0/inch of thickness. This meets insulation requirements for food service, cold chain solutions as well as heating and cooling.
In addition, durability maximizes investment on Airehide® (EPP) which protects from shock and vibration; Airehide® (EPP) packaging can be reused because of strong insulation and structural strength qualities.
In conclusion, there is such a wide range of insulation materials used for a variety of applications. Our products are R-value tested and validated to ensure proper insulating qualities per project.
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