Can anyone out there in cyber space give me the pros and cons on these two manufacturers’ pipe insulation: Rubatex therma-cel seam seal (polyethylene) and AP armaflex SS. These are both a foam like flexible water pipe covering. My intended use is for extra insulation in an exterior wall for incoming water lines. The existing water lines are 3/4 inch polybutalene and/or polyethylene. I have alot of information from the manufacturers but I am not that familar with all the terminology that describes the various aspects of the two products. I would surely appreciate input. I need the product that will give the best insulation value, so that the possibility of frozen water pipes will be greatly reduced. Thanks . D.
Edited 6/18/2002 8:44:45 AM ET by NM88317
Replies
Input to my original message is really needed. Anybody out there know about these two products?
D.
No one has responded because you are straining at a gnat my friend.
WetHead Warrior,
Perhaps I am straining for a gnat in asking for information on these two products. Their specifications are quite different, but both are candidates for my job. I was hoping someone, extremely familiar with the two products, would lend me a hand in deciphering the products' lingo into the common man's english. Thanks for your response.
Why don't you just use fibreglass pipe insulation. Then you don't have to worry about all the specs. I have used a lot of different brands of foam pipe insulation I have had some melt on pipe temps. that they were rated for. This is one of the reasons I always use fiberglass. Properly installed fiberglass looks better and you know it will last forever.
If you want to split hair, I can't help you.
For your application, which is for insulation against cold, it should matter less then if for high temperature apps.
I believe Rubatex stuff is made at a plant about 2 hours away from us, near Roanoke, Virginia.
I have the black foam rubber-like stuff on our lines for the baseboard radiators, which runs at around 180F leaving the boiler.
With the adhesive edge seal, it is a good insulator.
The Rubatex wrap can be bought at Lowes (or is it at Home Dump ?) and costs a lot more then the styrofoam looking edge seal pipe insulation.
Only thing I am not sure of is what the stuff will look like 20 years from now. If exposed to daylight, I would add another protective layer over the Rubatex. For indoors or behind a wall, I'm not worried about it so much, which is where mine are.
I have a wetsuit that has been hanging in my closet for close to 30 years (don't ask me why) and it is made out of similar Rubatex material. It looks ok probably because I've worn it only several times and it's been in the dark all these years.
The main difference between Rubatex and Armaflex is (both have a very similar “R” rating for equal dimensions).
Armaflex- The foam itself is much more dense and has a stronger outer shell which makes it tougher. It resists fluids much better and has a longer life span.
Rubatex- more porous both internally and externally. It’s softer and is much more pliable. It crushes easier and is more susceptible to damage from fluids and will absorb fluids easier. It’s not near as tough as Armaflex.