Armacell Armafix X Supports Prevent Thermal Bridging On HVAC Pipework

Wherever pipe brackets are positioned represents a potential weak point in the thermal insulation system. If the pipe is not thermally isolated from the bracket, thermal bridges occur and condensation can form. This leads to increased energy losses and the risk of corrosion, with the possibility of expensive secondary damage also occurring. To prevent thermal bridges, direct contact between the pipe and its support bracket should always be avoided.

Using the Armafix X pipe support ensures the integrity and reliability of the insulation system in the critical spots around the brackets used for mounting pipes. The pipe support consists of a flexible elastomeric foam in which rigid segments are embedded as load-bearing elements. The closed-cell insulation material provides a high resistance to water vapour transmission, maintaining low thermal conductivity which protects pipework against both condensation and energy losses.

When using standard clamps it is necessary to insulate the pipe up to the clamp, glue the ends of the insulation material to the pipe and then apply Armaflex to the supporting device. In contrast, the one-piece Armafix X pipe support is installed quickly, easily and neatly, being simply snapped around the pipe, closed by pressing the self-adhesive strips firmly together before then sliding into the metal clamp. Finally, the butt ends of the pipe support just need to be glued to the elastomeric tube material. The advantage of the new product lies not only in the speed of assembly, as the self-adhesive closure Armafix X can be installed practically with a single hand movement. A further benefit is the increased reliability ensured by the fact that the same insulation materials are installed and glued to each other on the entire pipework system.

Armafix X is suitable for pipes with operating temperatures ranging from 0 to +110°C and is available in the insulation thicknesses 13, 19 and 25 mm for pipe diameters of 10 to 89 mm. For more demanding applications, e.g. where operating temperatures below zero need to be maintained, then Armacell recommends using the Armafix AF pipe supports.