FAQ Series: What are the material R-values for Airpop® (EPS) and Airehide™ (EPP)?

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.

 

We’re having a lot of fun with these question and answer sessions! Thanks for sending in your questions and giving us the opportunity to showcase our offerings! If there is ever a question that needs answering, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team – sales@plymouthfoam.com.