Category: Products

As insulation materials are installed for a longer period, efficient, durable and lifecycle-proof systems are required, as well as regular inspection plans. Insulating plant and piping is an important factor in reducing energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions. But it does create a major concern in the industry due to corrosion under insulation (CUI).

Indeed, CUI is a difficult phenomenon to control and also often difficult to detect. The rate of degradation also depends on many factors. Corrosion under insulation occurs throughout the global process industry and can lead to major, unwanted failures. Preventing corrosion requires not only the application of suitable coatings, but also the timely detection of corrosion under insulation. Below are some products as examples:

• Inspection holes for insulation
• Sealants and coatings
• Flange protection
• Drain plugs
• Spacer system mechanical protective layer

• Inspection holes for insulation

To inspect insulated pipes, vessels, tanks and equipment, it is sometimes more convenient to install an inspection plug, instead of removing parts of the insulation. Inspection plugs enable recurrent Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) or CUI inspections to be carried out safely, and with minimal exposure, through resealable entrances. Because the inspection plug seals tightly, you maintain a weatherproof seal to protect insulation. Moreover, the plugs are made of silicone rubber which also makes them resistant to high temperatures, mechanical damage, weathering and UV.

• Sealants and coatings

The ability to completely seal an insulation system is one of the most effective ways to prevent corrosion under insulation. Sealing of seams and fittings in insulation materials in cold insulation systems such as multicellular glass, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate requires a vapour sealant. Foster 95-50 Flextra® Sealant and Foster 30-45 Foamseal® Sealer form a flexible buffer in the seams of the insulation material. These Foster sealants do not shrink or crack. Even during repeated cycles of alternating high and low temperatures, e.g. due to commissioning and decommissioning.

Foster 95-44 Elastolar Sealant is used, among other things, for vapour sealing seams and overlaps in aluminium cladding. Elastolar Sealant is a flexible butyl – elastomer-based vapour barrier sealant. This elastic coating provides a seamless and weather-resistant membrane that prevents water penetration. Moreover, the sealant has good resistance to high and low temperatures which makes it suitable for both cryogenic and thermal insulation systems.

• Flange protection

Space between flanges are difficult to access, making maintenance difficult. The high risk of leaks at gaskets is therefore a reason not to insulate flanges. From the point of view of energy loss, this is not a desirable choice. In addition, leaks due to weakened flange bolts can eventually lead to corrosion under insulation or worse; fire and explosion risks.

A flangebelt is generally used to detect leaks in flange connections, but also provides personal protection in the case of so-called “spray outs”. In cold/cryogenic insulation systems, flangebelts are also referred to as “sniffer belts”. A stainless steel Protectem Flangebelt™ with a leak detection pipe not only prevents moisture from leaks from entering the insulation and causing CUI.

The Protectem Flangebelt™ remains under the insulation, allowing the entire system to be insulated. If a final test reveals that there is a leak in the flange connection somewhere, the insulation only needs to be removed there. After solving the leakage, only that flange connection needs to be re-insulated, leading to high cost savings.

• Drain plugs

Due to various causes, water or moisture can still enter the insulation, eventually leading to deterioration of thermal properties and incipient corrosion (C.U.I.). With the installation of drain plugs in the outer jacketing, any water or moisture entering the insulation system can drain or evaporate unhindered. A Temati drain plug ensures dry insulation and thus extends the life of the installation. The drain plugs are easy to install and adapt to the insulation thickness. For environments with high fire behaviour requirements, Temati supplies TN5 fireproof drainplugs™

Another way to detect the presence of water and/or moisture in an insulation system can be with the Temati Drainplug Water Indicators (TWI) in combination with other forms of NDE inspections. This reduces risk areas and allows visual inspections to be planned more economically. The water indicator responds to all liquids. Its primary function is to indicate the presence of liquids due to: water ingress, leakage and condensation.

• Spacer system mechanical protective layer

As mentioned earlier, CUI can occur when wet and saturated insulation materials come into contact with pipes or equipment (substrate). From a corrosion prevention point of view, the most logical solution is to disconnect the insulation from the substrate. A proven method is called Non-Contact. This can be easily achieved by using spacers or specially designed rings, as shown below.

However, from a thermal insulation point of view, the phenomenon of chimney effect may occur which may lead to additional heat loss. Therefore, Non-Contact should be carefully considered at the design stage.

Another system also described in the CINI manual is to create an air cavity on the outside of the insulation system. By using a studded profile foil such as Temafol, the cladding/sheathing is detached from the insulation material. This creates a draft in the cavity allowing moisture to evaporate. And because in this system the cladding/sheathing is always colder, moisture can condense against the inside of the cladding and drain freely from the system.

Questions or contact?

If you have technical or commercial questions about corrosion under insulation products or any of our other solutions, please contact us. We will be happy to think along with you for the most efficient insulation solution in your situation.

Temati would like to inform you that Froth-Pak has replaced the propellant HFK-134a with the propellant HFO.

The propellant HFO has no ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a very low global warming potential (GWP). These changes do not affect the excellent processing properties you have come to expect from Froth-Pak.

In addition to the environmental improvements achieved by the new composition, it can also withstand lower temperatures. Bringing down the minimum service temperature to -150°C which makes the application range even more extensive.

If you have any technical or commercial questions about Froth-Pak or other solutions, please contact us.

Foam sealant is also called pu foam, pur or insulation foam. It is used for all kinds of applications including insulating walls, as well as sealing and filling gaps and cracks in insulation. What exactly is PU foam sealant, what types are there and how does it work? You can read all about it in this article.

• 1k or 2k pu foam
• Froth-Pak sprayable PU foam
• The difference between the three types of foam
• How does foam sealant work?
• Different nozzles
• Conditions of use
• Why maintenance is important
• How to remove PU foam
• Demonstration or advice

1k or 2k PU foam

You can buy foam sealant as one-component foam and two-component foam. The difference here is in how fast the foam cures. 1-component PU foam cures because it makes contact with moisture from the air or the substrate and is relatively slow. With 2-component PU foam, a hardener is added, which cures without the need for moisture. You will also notice this difference when cutting the foam sealant. With 2k pu foam the inside is also fully cured while with 1k pu foam the inside is still soft.

Froth-pak sprayable PU foam

A common brand of foam kit is Froth-Pak. Sprayable PU foam is available in several variants. Depending on the application, one can choose the Froth-Pak Quick Rise, Froth-Pak Slow Rise or Froth-Pak High Density. The difference between the Quick Rise and Slow Rise can already be seen from the names. The polyurethane foam of the Slow Rise rises and cures slowly, while the Quick Rise cures very quickly.

The difference between the three types of foam sealant

The Slow Rise is especially important when injecting polyurethane foam, also known as in-situ foams. This gives the foam time to reach all holes and corners before it cures. Quick Rise is often used on walls so that one can work through quickly. The High Density PU-foam has a higher density per m3 and is specially developed for applications where this density of 40 – 45 kg/m3 is required.

How does foam sealant work?

The 2k pu foam kit consists of two disposable tanks of 6kg or 20kg per component, which are pressurised, containing separately a foamer and a hardener. A hose set is connected to this, which is connected to a PU foam gun. When the tanks are opened and the sprayer is squeezed, foaming begins. No experience with sprayable PU foam? We also provide on-site explanations and demonstrations, please contact our technical specialists.

Various nozzles for sprayable PU foam

The nozzle, which is clicked onto the foam gun, has a mixing chamber. This is where the two components meet and ensure even distribution before being sprayed onto the product. When the foam and hardener are mixed, a chemical reaction occurs, causing the polyurethane foam to first increase in volume, or rise, and then cure.

Depending on the application, there are different nozzles. The cone nozzle is an all-round nozzle that ensures even distribution and is ideal for in-situ foaming. The spray nozzle, on the other hand, is suitable for spraying surfaces. When you stop foaming, the spray nozzle should be replaced after about 30 seconds because the foam then starts to harden. It is therefore important to prepare as much as possible before you start foaming.

Conditions of use 2k pu foam

Applying PU foam insulation is not difficult, but you need to take a few things into account. For optimum efficiency and best quality, it is important that the foam set is at temperature during use. A good usage temperature is between 23 and 27°C degrees. This can be done by placing the kit in a heat cabinet or with heat ribbons around it. The better the foam kit is at temperature, the higher the efficiency.

Why foam sealant maintenance is important

Maintenance is very important with PU foam insulation. Not only cleaning after use, but also regular flushing of the hose set contributes to a longer life. When this is not done, crystallisation occurs, causing the system to block. In addition, it can cause the mixing ratio to be incorrect, which also results in poor quality foam insulation.

How do you remove sprayable PU foam?

Sprayable PU foam is a dense and firm foam with a high insulation value, so you won’t get it off easily. You cannot remove foam with thinner or white spirit, but only with a special PU foam cleaner. With the foam gun, you can inject the 2k PU foam very accurately, but there is always a chance of spilling. Also your gun needs to be cleaned after use. With PU foam cleaner, you will remove foam spots not only from the gun, but also from your clothes and sheet metal.

Contact us for advice or a demonstration

Do you have questions about using 2k PU foam or need advice on your insulation project? Our specialists are at your service and take all the time to give your employees training and explanations where they can also foam themselves. Together we look at the best way to make your insulation project a success!

In a time that is difficult to everybody, some people have to deal with even more setback and have to call upon the Foodbank. As you may know this is a non-profit charitable organisation, that distributes food and basic necessities of life to those who have financial difficulty in purchasing these items. 

Obtaining facemasks to protect the personal health and that of others can be an irreconcilable expense and Foodbanks are in great need of it. Not being able to afford facemasks can also mean a limitation to participate in social life. Temati has its own mattress production facility, where it also manufactures reusable facemasks, in the Czech Republic. Foodbank IJmond received a big surprise when Temati employees delivered a donation of 6.000 facemasks in twelve full boxes.

Temati wishes everybody happy and especially healthy holidays and a ‘normal’ 2021!

In an effort to convert existing products into more environmentally and user-friendly materials where possible, Temati has added a new product to the Foster® program: the Foster® 85-18.

It is designed as a European alternative to the Foster 85-60, so it complies with REACH regulations and does not have to carry GHS hazard symbols, where this is the case with the 85-60.

Foster 85-18 is a cream-coloured, high tack, quick-to-apply, water-based adhesive. Foster 85-18 is intended for bonding low-density pipe liners, pipe tape and fiberglass insulation to painted and unpainted steel, galvanized or aluminum surfaces. Foster 85-18 does not contain any solvents, is non-flammable when wet and fire resistant when dry. For more information follow this link or contact us.

The world is turned upside down and people and companies in all countries are experiencing various stages of lock downs and restrictions. Daily life and business activities take place in an adapted way. Some executive activities can be done within restrictions, but sometimes also prove simply impossible. At the same time, people in health care do make the impossible possible, for which they deserve all the support and admiration.

Almost all companies are experiencing at least a slowdown in their activities or are trying to switch to market-strange activities. Everyone adapts and handles this exceptional situation as best as possible. The companies are trying to get through this difficult time and protect their employees.

Temati’s workshop in the Czech Republic is also switching. The insulation mattresses that are produced cannot currently be placed on site by the end customers, due to the applicable restrictive measures. This threatened to dry up the order flow. So the knife cut both ways when the regional government asked our team in the Czech Republic to produce facemasks for the local healthcare services of the hospital, fire brigade and police, as we reported in an earlier message on our website. This in turn has meant that we have been asked from different countries whether Temati can also supply these masks to companies. These were all insulation and construction companies working on job sites, who want to offer their employees extra protection within the restrictive measures, in order to be able to continue to carry out as many activities as possible. They also want to be ready by the time that the jointly responsible bodies have drawn up safe working protocols that enable companies to resume or further scale up their activities.

Although production of face masks is not a core activity of Temati, we are happy to contribute to a safer workplace and everything is “different” at a time like this. The facemasks are made of 100% cotton and are reusable. They can be washed at 90 ° C and ironing is also possible. If you think this offers you an opportunity to allow your employees to carry out their work in a protected manner and perhaps even expand activities, please let us know. We would be happy to discuss the options with you.

At the request of the regional medical authorities, Temati in the Czech Republic has deployed its production capacity to produce facemasks to enable the local hospital to continue medical care for corona patients safely and at full speed.

Instead of making insulation mattresses, the Temati team made every effort to produce as many facemasks and as quickly as possible in its own workshop. This action enabled the heroes in the frontline, who provide medical care in the hospital 24 hours a day, to carry out the fight against COVID-19 at a maximum and in a safe manner.

Do you have your own need or do you know of an institution or company, that needs facemasks, let us know so that we can see if Temati can help you with this.

Advantages of the Protectem Flangebelt/ sniffer belt

Protectem-Flangebelts™ are commonly used in hot insulation systems to detect leakages in flange connections, or are used for personal protection at high-pressure flange connection systems, the so-called “sprayers”.

Additionally, Protectem Flangebelts™ can also be applied as a solution in cold/ cryogenic insulations systems, where they are often referred to as sniffer belts.

Current situation

Only pipework is insulated, and insulation of valves and flange-connections can only be completed after a successful leakage and pressure test. These tests are always carried out in the final stage of the project which results in extreme time pressure for insulation contractors.

The solution

First, install Protectem Flangebelts™ with Teflon seal and leak-pipe at flange connections. Insulate the flange connections and valves and make sure that the leak-pipe sticks out of the metal plating. Leak and pressure test is then executed after the insulation is completed. Possible leakage is detected/ sniffed through the leak-pipe. After a successful test leak-pipes can be removed, and the cavity filled with Handi-Foam® and the metal cladding finished with Tembutil-IF. The Protectem Flangebelt™/ sniffer belt remains under the insulation.

Benefits

• The entire piping system can then be insulated without interference of leak testing.
• Less risk for delay of start-up of the plant.
• Cost reduction and efficient final commission.
• No workload peaks for contractor during final stage of the project.

When following the original installation procedures, all flange connections are insulated after a successful leak/ pressure test, this results in a tremendous peak in the contractors’ workload. Installing Protectem Flangebelts™ can flatten out this peak over the entire project, if during final testing a flange-connection leakage is found, only the insulation at the leakage has to be removed, the leakage is resolved and the flange-connection re insulated. This method has proven to be more efficient and results in costs reductions, higher safety, and guarantees the start-up date.

Terminating the pipe insulation is a critical issue when sealing an insulation system. Making terminations for conventional metal jacketing is often difficult to achieve. Sharp edges and slight deviations can lead to penetration of water and damage to the pipe coating. Even if additional sealant or E-glass tape is applied, the coating risks damage by water penetration; resulting in CUI.

Use Temati’s preformed end cap gasket at regular intervals to divide the piping system into closed chambers. Its elasticity prevents the surface coating or tracing from damage. Simply adjust the gasket to ensure a watertight fit. To find out more about this product please contact us.

In off-shore, LNG, (petro-)chemical and nuclear plants safety is even more critical than in other places. Installations require 60 minutes jet-fire protection to protect assets and personnel from exposure to hydrocarbon fires risk.

To protect flanges, valves and fittings Temati designed Temket-F, a range of removable passive fire protection (PFP) covers. Temket-F is made from Temtex fabrics with IMO-certificates and Microtherm micro porous silica. Sintef tested and approved according to OTI 95 634, Safety and Health Executive.

Temket-F PFP covers possess excellent weather and UV resistance. They are removable and reusable to allow inspections and maintenance.