TPi May 2014

25 / 68

May 2014 Tube Products International 23
products & developments
Thermal insulation with improved
technical properties
The new AF/Armaflex Class O brand
thermal insulation, incorporating a
full range of elastomeric tubes, self
seal tubes, coils, tape, flat sheet, self-
adhesive sheets, continuous sheet
(rolls) and pre-insulated pipe supports,
is now available with all the products
providing the same technical values for
the first time.
The new range from technical insulation
manufacturer Armacell is suitable
for refrigeration and air conditioning,
chilled water, process lines and heating
and ventilation pipe and ductwork
applications. The products replace the
previous Class O Armaflex range, with
the new AF/Armaflex Class O tube and
sheet product codes now prefixed with
AF-CO for ease of identification.
The Construction Products Regulation
introduced in 2013 means it is
mandatory for Armaflex and other
thermal insulation products to carry
a CE Mark. The legislation sets out a
harmonised European standard (hEN)
for declaring the technical values of
flexible elastomeric foams and new
testing procedures to determine the
stated performance. The obligatory
technical values, as set out in the
harmonised standard, must be stated
by the manufacturer in a Declaration of
Performance (DoP) certificate.
A new, improved formulation of
Armaflex has therefore been developed
to meet these obligatory European
fire performance, thermal conductivity
and water vapour diffusion resistance
values. The new formula AF/Armaflex
Class O range, manufactured in the
UK, has a Euroclass Fire Rating of
Bs3-d0 (the European equivalent to a
Class O rating) and improved thermal
conductivity performance. The water
vapour diffusion resistance performance
is also improved.
The product is free from medium chain
chlorinated paraffins (MCCP), which
construction product agencies in
Sweden and Norway have ruled against
because of the threat they have been
found to pose to marine wildlife.
The new formulation is also used to
manufacture the Armaflex Tuffcoat range
of products, which are the AF/Armaflex
Class O material laminated with a tough
white or black PVC covering to protect
against UV, weathering and impact
damage when installed outdoors.
From 2014, the Tuffcoat range includes
additional pipe diameter sizes up to
89mm OD, with tube and sheet wall
thicknesses of 25mm and continuous
sheet rolls and self-adhesive continuous
sheet options also available.
Armacell UK Ltd – UK
Pipe fittings for permanent welds
Erne Fittings makes safe pipe fittings
for permanent welds for use in the
construction of power stations,
refineries, oil and gas plants, and other
demanding applications.
It supplies butt-weld fittings such as
elbows, tees and reducers from 21.3 to
1,016mm (½" to 40") external diameter,
and wall thicknesses up to 50mm,
made of alloyed, unalloyed, stainless
steels and exotic materials for the
approved market.
With four production sites across
Austria, Germany and Saudi Arabia and
a fully automated high-rack shelving
warehouse for around 10,000 storage
spaces and over 3,000 items, Erne
Fittings ensures availability of more
than 95 per cent for the entire stock
programme.
Erne also offers a professional project
management system with standardised
work instructions and checklists.
Knowledge of applications, materials
and standards and extensive technical
expertise ensure that international
projects run smoothly.
Erne Fittings GmbH – Austria
The new AF/Armaflex Class O
range from Armacell