Guest Author: Mike Burris, Product Development – CGR Products Enclosure Protection Enclosure gaskets are mechanical parts used to provide weatherproof seals on electrical enclosures and their doors. The typical method of attaching the gaskets is by means of a chemical fastener such as pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA). The mating surfaces are often irregular, making it hard to get a continuous seal. In order to protect the sensitive electronic equipment inside the enclosure, a properly selected and manufactured gasket is critical. The enclosures can be used indoors or outdoors; therefore, a properly selected material and design are essential to ensure proper performance and long life. Generally, gaskets are used to seal out dust, dirt, water, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), and Radio Frequency (RFI). Gaskets can also be used to dissipate vibration. Strip Gasketing Strip gasketing has been around a long time. Supplied in rolls, the manufacturers of the enclosures adhere strips of compressible foam to the enclosure surface to be sealed. One side of the foam will have a pressure sensitive adhesive designed to adhere to the enclosure structure. The corners are not completely sealed due to the non-continuous strip design. This method is the most economical but the corners are areas of concern for some applications. Fold Out/ Dovetail Gasket In instances of very large enclosures, high volumes, or where the design does not allow for strip gaskets, a fold-out or dovetail gasket may be an option. The fold-out gasket allows the die cut to be expanded to its final shape, eliminating the center scrap. A dovetail gasket works in a similar fashion, except the corners are mitered and fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. The design of the enclosure and level of ingress protection needed will determine if this type of gasket is suitable. Material Selection Armacell EnsoLite and Monarch elastomeric foams are the most common and affordable materials used for enclosure gaskets and seals. These materials are available in closed-cell, semi-closed crushed foam, and foam blends, with and without pressure sensitive adhesives (applied by a foam converter). The key to choosing a gasket material is defining the environment in which it must perform. One must consider temperature / thermal management requirements, UV and Ozone exposure, EMI / RFI resistance, just to name a few. The following is a list of the most common elastomeric materials available that carry UL Listings and ASTM listings: Nitrile (NBR) Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) Ethylene Propylene (EPDM) Neoprene (CR) PVC/NBR Blends PVC/NBR/CR Blends Epichlorohydrin (ECH) EPDM/CR/SBR Blends For more information, visit CGR’s website here and read the full, downloadable eBook on Ingress Protection for Electrical Enclosures here .
Read more about lap seal and self seal for insulation and the Armacell products that are right for you. Insulation performance relies on the proper installation. Correct installation ensures the integrity of the system—which prevents condensation occurring on insulated pipes. Condensation in a mechanical system does not just bring the nuisance of dripping water; it can also lead to devastating effects to the insulation or system itself. Part of properly installing an insulation system requires sealing the insulation along the longitudinal seams and there are two great pipe insulation options with built in sealing: lap seal and self seal. These two methods of sealing both have their advantages. Lap seal closure systems provide the ultimate protection. It ensures the seam stays 100% sealed on pipes to provide the highest level of condensation control. A self-seal closure, found on our polyethylene (PE) pipe insulation, is a cost-effective alternative to the lap seal. Pressure sensitive adhesive closures are best suited to facilitate insulation in domestic hot and cold water systems where condensation is not a priority. Both the lap seal and self seal are easy to install and thus save time in installation. The pre-cut slit in self seal and lap seal reduces cutting time. Both systems eliminate a large amount of cutting and gluing at the jobsite. Armacell has options just right your insulation job, whether they require lap seal or self seal. Lap seal options in our closed-cell elastomeric foam family include AP ArmaFlex® Black LapSeal and AP ArmaFlex® White LapSeal . Black LapSeal now comes with a new angle cut that covers 40% more surface area on the self-sealing connection than other products. It is easy to install and comes in a wide range of sizes. The lap seal closure system stays closed and looks neat, too. White LapSeal is perfect when insulation exposed in a space requires clean aesthetics such as a in a grocery store ceiling for a refrigerator application. Both Black and White LapSeal provide superior protection against thermal losses, condensation and moisture ingress, making it the ideal choice for insulating mechanical piping systems. During installation, the end joints of ArmaFlex foam require ArmaFlex® 520 adhesive , which bonds the insulation together end to end. ArmaFlex 520 adhesive joins ArmaFlex tubes together reliably and safely. ArmaFlex Black LapSeal endjoints should be sealed with adhesive per installation guidelines, and then wrapped with, ArmaFlex® Black LapSeal Tape to provide added seam security, giving the insulation a clean look. Armacell also has plenty of economical PE choices for residential plumbing and light commercial applications. Tubolit® SS and Tubolit® W SS are pre-slit, 25/50 rated, closed-cell thermal insulation. The self-sealing, pressure-sensitive adhesive closure makes installation faster. Available in dark gray, or white, Tubolit® is a cost-effective insulation system ideal for domestic hot and cold water. Additionally, Tundra® SS and W SS and Imcoa® SS and W SS are great self-seal insulation options. Available in white and dark gray, they are closed-cell, PE foam ideal for residential and light commercial plumbing projects, designed to prevent heat loss and protect pipes from freezing. It has excellent thermal, physical and chemical resistant properties and a broad service temperature range. So if you want to speed up the job, or simply use a self-sealing insulation to help you get a good seam bond in a tight space, Armacell has great time-saving insulation options for you. To learn more about Armacell’s self-seal and lap seal products, visit Armacell's product selector here .
ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment Pad Now Has Options of Ridges and Perforated Holes to Maximize Drainage Capacity For athletic departments, groundskeepers and sports teams, one of the biggest frustrations is rain preventing practice and play. Though they can’t choose the weather, they can choose to get back on the field faster by selecting ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment shock pads for synthetic turf fields. Its superior drainage ability gets teams back on the field faster after rain, making it the best option for high level teams who require consistent training, athletic complexes with a large schedule of events, and athletic departments fielding multiple sports. ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment pad now comes with innovative new options for efficient draining, allowing teams to get back on the field in no time. ArmaSport® Turf Underlayment is now available with ridges and perforated holes in the pad, each of which the expedient flow of water out of the pad and field. Water evacuates vertically through the infill system and exits through the perforated holes punched in the turf, while ridges funnel the water laterally between the turf and the underlayment pad until it reaches the perforated holes, where it is swiftly drained away. These advances expedite a highly efficient draining method that purges water quickly and returns the field to playing conditions. Third-party testing of ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment has demonstrated its excellent drainage ability. Drainage testing performed with an infiltrometer, a device designed to measure the rate water infiltrates soils, indicates perforated holes and upward facing ridges produce a normalized drainage capacity of 42 inches an hour. In other words, our new ridged pad with perforated holes will drain 42 inches of water every hour after being drenched with rain. Compare that to testing done with ridges facing down, which only drained 26 inches an hour. Innovative options like ridges and perforated holes improve the drainage capacity of ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment without compromising its already great qualities. This offers benefits to the builder, making installation quick and efficient by providing custom roll lengths available to match the width of each field and delivering the product directly to the jobsite. It also is great for the designer because it lengthens the life of the turf by protecting from potentially damaging asphalt, concrete and rock bases. It’s versatility, unlike other pads, meets safety standards with infill and without it. All of these benefits make ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment the perfect shock pad to protect and support turf fields for any sport. In field hockey, it’s trusted by the most competitive teams in the country, including top college programs like Duke, Stanford, North Carolina and many others. ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment is also trusted by the USA Field Hockey National Training Center in Virginia Beach, VA, and was used in field hockey practice fields at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. These top field hockey programs and many others trust Armacell to provide the best turf underlayment available. And now with improved drainage, ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment has gotten even better. Find out more here www.turf.armacell.us
Armacell Acquires De Xu – A Chinese Manufacturer of Elastomeric Insulation Foams Strengthening market position and production capacity in China Expanding product portfolio with Sinoflex brand Continuation of focused internationalisation strategy Luxembourg, 31 May 2018 – Armacell, a global leader in flexible foam for the equipment insulation market and a leading provider of engineered foams, acquires De Xu (Guangdong De Xu Insulation Materials Co. Ltd). The company is a local manufacturer of flexible elastomeric foam under the Sinoflex brand and operates from its Yingde facility in the province of Guangdong in Southern China. De Xu has been selling and manufacturing insulation foams since 2013 and provides a comprehensive range of products for major construction projects in Southern China, including elastomeric insulation for HVAC as well as heating & plumbing and refrigeration systems. Commenting on the transaction, Patrick Mathieu, President and CEO of the Armacell Group, said: “The acquisition of De Xu and the Sinoflex brand reinforces our capacity to cover local market demand and adds additional production potential in our second fastest growing market in the Asia Pacific region.” The transaction includes two production lines in De Xu’s production site in Yingde, Guangdong, and the intellectual property of Sinoflex. De Xu has approx. 40 employees and is located in proximity to Armacell’s manufacturing facilities in Panyu. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price of the transaction confidential. About Armacell As the inventors of flexible foam for equipment insulation and a leading provider of engineered foams, Armacell develops innovative and safe thermal, acoustic and mechanical solutions that create sustainable value for its customers. Armacell's products significantly contribute to global energy efficiency making a difference around the world every day. With 3,000 employees and 25 production plants in 16 countries, the company operates two main businesses, Advanced Insulation and Engineered Foams, and generated net sales of EUR 603 million and adjusted EBITDA of EUR 102 million in 2017. Armacell focuses on insulation materials for technical equipment, high-performance foams for high-tech and lightweight applications and next generation aerogel blanket technology. For more information, please visit: www.armacell.com Download press release here . Press Contact Tom Anen Director Corporate Communications Tel.: +352 2484 9828 E-Mail: press@armacell.com Norman R. Rafael VP of Corp. Development & Investor Relations Tel.: +352 2484 9828 E-Mail: investors@armacell.com
As schools are letting out across the country, public pools and country clubs will soon be filling up with eager kids and families. Parents and babysitters will kick back on lounge chairs, and kids will enjoy the water. But the summer could not be complete without one of its essentials. Just as sure as the summer sun requires sunscreen, so do pools require pool noodles. The pool noodle is a clear sign that summer has arrived, and luckily Armacell is here to bring the fun to summer. In addition to our wide array of insulating and composite foam products, Armacell is the maker of the original pool noodle. The pool noodle was first created in the 1980s. The idea was inspired by the backer rod —a foam product designed to help seal cracks and joints, but reimagined as a water toy. One reason for the popularity of the classic summer toy is its versatility. The pool noodle is a lot more than just a water toy. There are all sorts of creative ways to get the most out of your pool noodle this summer. Just as the backer rod was repurposed for the pool noodle, the pool noodle can be used for arts and crafts, toys, or even for practical effects. You can use a pool noodle to stretch and exercise. Or, a little creativity can turn a pool noodle into a holiday wreath, horses, or toy rockets. You can try any of these ideas, or just choose to float and have some fun—either way, Armacell’s Tundra noodles have you covered. Not only is Armacell the maker of the original pool noodle, but also the top seller of pool noodles in North America. If you pick up a noodle at any given pool, there’s a good chance it was made by Armacell. We sell millions of pool noodles a year at most major retailers in the US and Canada. Armacell’s Tundra brand noodles come in four colors: orange, teal, pink and blue, as well as four sizes: Tundra Noodle Tundra Boss Tundra Big Boss Tundra Promo Noodle For more information about Armacell’s water toys click here . *Warning: Water pads are not considered a lifesaving device. Do not leave children unattended while device is in use.
ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment Pad Now Has Options of Ridges and Perforated Holes to Maximize Drainage Capacity For athletic departments, groundskeepers and sports teams, one of the biggest frustrations is rain preventing practice and play. Though they can’t choose the weather, they can choose to get back on the field faster by selecting ArmaSport® Turf-underlayment shock pads for synthetic turf fields. Its superior drainage ability gets teams back on the field faster after rain, making it the best option for high level teams who require consistent training, athletic complexes with a large schedule of events, and athletic. Continue reading here .
Photos will be judged on: Interesting application or job Skillfulness of installation techniques Artistic angle or composition of the photo Creative depiction of AP ArmaFex tube, sheet or roll insulation materials All photos must include ArmaFlex insulation. If the ArmaFlex insulation is painted or covered by jacketing, please identify the location in your supplied description. Other insulation types may be included in the job, but the focus of the photo should be the equipment insulated with closed-cell, fiber free ArmaFlex. Prizes: The winners will receive a VISA gift card in the amount shown made out to the entrant. First place: $500 Second place: $200 Third place: $100 VISA gift cards are good for USA residents only. Only winners from the USA are eligible for the prizes. Winners will be announced January 15, 2019. Each winning entry will be featured on Armacell’s website and promoted through our news, press and social media channels. Show off your insulation and photography skills and be recognized by your peers! Photos will be judged by a panel of Armacell marketing and applications experts. The applications specialists judge the skill, and marketing judges the aesthetics. Entry restrictions: USA and District of Columbia only (no territories) How to enter: Just email your digital photos of less than 8MB to C ommunications@armacell.com by midnight November 30, 2018. In the upload message, be sure to include your: » Name » Company name » Email address » A description of the job in the photo Entrant agrees, all photos become the property of Armacell and may be used to promote ArmaFlex insulation and further photo contests. Tips: Cell phone photos are accepted if the highest/best file resolution setting is selected. Email crisp,clear photos email photos less than 8MB to email address above. Send up to 10 photos per entrant for more chances to win. Be careful to present a clean work environment that high¬lights your insulation skills in the very best way. Any questions? Contact Communications@armacell.com . Download the contest flyer here . Get snapping and good luck!
Guest author: Mike Burris, Product Development - CGR Products Many variables can affect gasket sealing such as internal pressure, temperature, gasket design, and flange load. Sometimes it is necessary to dig a little deeper into the actual sealing picture when a difficult or critical sealing situation is encountered. In this article, we will explore a process we call “Fuji Testing”. How Fuji Testing Works Fujifilm Prescale is a polyester based film that contains a layer of tiny microcapsules. The application of force upon the film causes the microcapsules to rupture, producing an instantaneous and permanent high resolution “topographical” image of pressure variation across the contact area. The use of this tactile sensor film is one method CGR Products uses to help customers see a “Static” picture of how the gasket is sealing in the current application. We place the Fuji film between any two surfaces that touch, mate or impact. Apply pressure, remove it, and immediately the film reveals the pressure distribution profile that occurred between the two surfaces. Like litmus paper, the color intensity of the film is directly related to the amount of pressure applied to it. The greater the pressure, the more intense the color. Analyzing the Fuji Data The principle way in which CGR Products uses Fuji film is to determine if the current gasket design is producing an acceptable seal to satisfy the customers’ requirements. In our example below, you are looking at a currently designed gasket where its highest pressure points are at the bolt holes. The bolt pressure points left a softer area in the middle of the flange. Making Recommendations If it is determined that the sealing pressure revealed by the Fuji film is not acceptable, CGR Products can use the film data to determine a possible revised gasket design. These tests can also reveal that a material change is all that is needed to satisfy the sealing requirements. Using the same example, this is CGR Products proposed design and material change after Fuji analysis. Learn More To answer the question as to whether a Fuji analysis is right for you, Ask yourself if the potential warranty cost to your company is worth the time and effort. Let CGR Products help with your sealing issues so we can work together to solve potential warranty problems before they occur. Feel free to contact CGR with questions or dig deeper into their capabilities by clicking on CGR's website here .
The Synthetic Turf Council (STC), the organization representing the synthetic turf industry, announced the publication of its new Guidelines for Synthetic Turf Base Systems . The voluntary guidelines were developed by STC members, based on their expertise and technical knowledge, and reviewed by other industry experts and organizations, including the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA). The purpose of these voluntary guidelines is to enable owners, buyers, designers, and contractors of synthetic turf to better understand the range of decisions and variables that comprise the “base” of a synthetic turf installation. The hidden base of a synthetic sports field is equally important as the playing surface. If care is not taken in the design of the base components, the field will suffer over time from maladies caused by poor drainage, uneven site preparation, migration of base rocks, or insufficient slope. It is not the intention of the STC guidelines to dictate certain methods of designing or constructing a base, since there are countless ways to determine the best base for a given project. Instead they offer concepts and best practices to consider as owners or designers begin a new synthetic field installation. Some key considerations deal with preparing a base for proper drainage. If a field doesn’t drain away rainwater efficiently, there can be issues with crushed rock base settling, puddling or migration of the infill layer to the downstream areas of a field. Besides initially creating a well-designed water drainage system under the field, drainage pads, which are laid directly under the turf, can be used to help wick water away from the surface. Some drainage pads are rigid and are designed to move the water without providing any additional resiliency at all. A resilient drainage pad may add shock absorbing properties to the turf system as well as providing a path for water to move away from the turf surface. There are also drainage components that provide water management and shock attenuation. According to the guidelines, these system components can be installed below the synthetic turf infill and carpet, and may replace some layers of the stone base. Field components like ArmaSport® Turf Underlayment Shock Pad, when ordered with the optional drainage perforations, provide both shock attenuation and drainage. Foam underlayment pads are designed to contribute to a safe g-max level for the life of a synthetic turf field, providing another layer of safety for players. For more information or to download the free guidelines, visit: www.syntheticturfcouncil.org
AP Armaflex® and the Armaflex Qualified Installer Program are Proving Crucial in Expanding the Panama City Airport When the electromechanical contractor Integ undertook its largest piping project to date, the firm turned to Armacell to help get the job done. Integ needed a reliable partner on a $697 million expansion project at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. The massive expansion, which will boost the airport’s service capacity from 5.8 to 18 million passengers a year, required a large workforce to install closed-cell insulation. Armacell trained a group of 60 engineers to install AP Armaflex® at Tocumen. Through the Armaflex Qualified Installer Program (AQIP), Armacell is providing training and continuous support throughout the project to ensure installation goes smoothly. Read more on why Armacell is the “perfect choice” to partner with Integ in this years-long endeavor to make Tocumen the most important airport in Central America.