AP/ArmaFlex® Self-Adhesive
AP/ArmaFlex Self-Adhesive is a black, flexible, closed-cell elastomeric thermal and acoustical insulation available in Black LapSeal tube, sheet, and roll forms with a factory-applied self-adhesive backing that eliminates field-applied contact adhesive. It is rated for continuous service from -34°C to 82°C (-30°F to 180°F) and, depending on form and thickness, carries a Flame Spread Index below 25 and Smoke Developed Index below 50 per ASTM E84/UL 723. AP/ArmaFlex SA is NBR-based through 2″ thickness, while AP/ArmaFlex FS SA (1-1/2″ and 2″ thickness) is EPDM-based for enhanced fire performance.
Key Properties
- Thermal Conductivity (k-value): λd ≤ 0.0353 W/(m·K) [k ≤ 0.245 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)] at 75°F (24°C) for NBR-based products (AP/ArmaFlex pipe insulation through 1″ thickness and AP/ArmaFlex SA 1-1/2″ and 2″ wall thickness); λd ≤ 0.040 W/(m·K) [k ≤ 0.28 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)] at 75°F (24°C) for EPDM-based products (AP/ArmaFlex pipe insulation and FS SA through 1-1/2″ and 2″) — ASTM C177, ASTM C518
- Water Vapor Diffusion Resistance Factor: 0.05 perm-inch (0.725 × 10⁻¹³ kg/(s·m·Pa)) for NBR/PVC products; 0.08 perm-inch (1.16 × 10⁻¹³ kg/(s·m·Pa)) for EPDM products — ASTM E96 (Desiccant Method)
- Service Temperature Range: Full range -34°C to 82°C (-30°F to 180°F); 82°C (180°F) applies to full bonding sheet insulation — ASTM C534
- Fire Performance: Flame Spread Index less than 25; Smoke Developed Index less than 50 (AP/ArmaFlex Black LapSeal tube insulation all thicknesses; AP/ArmaFlex SA FS sheet and roll insulation through 2″ thickness; AP/ArmaFlex SA sheet and roll insulation through 1″ thickness — 1-1/2″ and 2″ SA sheet/roll thicknesses are NOT 25/50 rated) — ASTM E84, UL 723, CAN/ULC S102
- Density: 3 to 6 pounds per cubic foot (48 to 96 kilos per cubic meter) — ASTM D1667
- Water Absorption: 0.2% by volume — ASTM C1763, ASTM C2094
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- Specifications
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Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Density | 3 to 6 pounds per cubic foot (48 to 96 kilos per cubic meter) | ASTM D1667 |
| Water Absorption | 0.2% by volume | ASTM C1763, ASTM C2094 |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Service Temperature, Full Range | -34°C to 82°C (-30°F to 180°F); 82°C (180°F) — full bonding sheet insulation | ASTM C534 |
| Thermal Conductivity (NBR-based — AP/ArmaFlex pipe insulation through 1″ thickness and AP/ArmaFlex SA 1-1/2″ and 2″ wall thickness), λd @ 75°F (24°C) | ≤ 0.0353 W/(m·K) [k ≤ 0.245 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)] | ASTM C177, ASTM C518 |
| Thermal Conductivity (NBR-based), λd @ 100°F (38°C) | ≤ 0.037 W/(m·K) [k ≤ 0.257 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)] | ASTM C177, ASTM C518 |
| Thermal Conductivity (EPDM-based — AP/ArmaFlex pipe insulation and FS SA through 1-1/2″ and 2″), λd @ 75°F (24°C) | ≤ 0.040 W/(m·K) [k ≤ 0.28 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)] | ASTM C177, ASTM C518 |
| Thermal Conductivity (EPDM-based), λd @ 100°F (38°F) | ≤ 0.041 W/(m·K) [k ≤ 0.289 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)] | ASTM C177, ASTM C518 |
| R-Value, Sheet/Roll Insulation by Wall Thickness | 1/4″ (6mm) = 1.0; 3/8″ (10mm) = 1.5; 1/2″ (13mm) = 2.1; 3/4″ (19mm) = 3.1; 1″ (25mm) = 4.2; 1-1/2″ (38mm) = 6; 2″ (50mm) = 8 | — |
| R-Value, Tube Insulation (by ID and wall thickness) | Ranges from 2.2 to 19.7 across the full published matrix of inner diameters (3/8″ through 6″ IPS) and wall thicknesses (3/8″ through 2″) — see manufacturer’s size chart for the value at a specific ID/wall combination | — |
Flame & Fire Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Surface Burning Characteristics (AP/ArmaFlex Black LapSeal tube insulation, all thicknesses; AP/ArmaFlex SA FS sheet and roll insulation through 2″ thickness; AP/ArmaFlex SA sheet and roll insulation through 1″ thickness — SA sheet/roll 1-1/2″ and 2″ thicknesses are NOT 25/50 rated) | Flame Spread Index less than 25; Smoke Developed Index less than 50 | ASTM E84, UL 723, CAN/ULC S102 |
Environmental Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Water Vapor Diffusion Resistance Factor (NBR/PVC products) | 0.05 perm-inch (0.725 × 10⁻¹³ kg/(s·m·Pa)) | ASTM E96 (Desiccant Method) |
| Water Vapor Diffusion Resistance Factor (EPDM products) | 0.08 perm-inch (1.16 × 10⁻¹³ kg/(s·m·Pa)) | ASTM E96 (Desiccant Method) |
Compliance
- ASTM C534, Type I – Tube, Grade 1 — Compliant
- ASTM C534, Type II – Sheet, Grade 1 — Compliant
- ASTM C1534, Type 1 — Compliant
- ASTM D1056, 2C1 — Compliant
- ASTM G21/C1338 — Compliant
- ASTM E84, UL 723 — Compliant
- CAN/ULC S102 — Compliant
- NFPA 90A, 90B — Compliant
- MEA 107-89M — Compliant
- MIL-P-15280J, FORM S — Compliant
- ASHRAE 90.1 energy standards — Compliant
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Compliant
- International Mechanical Code (IMC) — Compliant
- International Residential Code (IRC) — Compliant
- Title 24 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards — Compliant
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified — Compliant
- City of LA — Compliant (RR7642)
- ISO 9001 — Compliant (Armacell North America’s quality management systems certified by Intertek)
- Manufactured without CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs, PBDEs, or Formaldehyde — Compliant
- EPA registered MICROBAN® antimicrobial product protection — Compliant
- Living Building Challenge requirements; Red List compliant — Compliant (AP ArmaFlex FS SA only)
- Pipe insulation using self-sealing LapSeal tube systems with pre-applied adhesive closure
- Thermal and acoustical duct insulation using self-adhering sheet and roll stock
- Insulation of large pipes and mechanical equipment where adhesive backing reduces installation time
- HVAC and mechanical piping systems requiring 25/50 flame-spread/smoke-developed rated insulation
- Building projects requiring compliance with energy codes such as ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, IMC, and IRC
Common industries: HVAC and mechanical insulation contracting, commercial and residential construction, plumbing and refrigeration systems, building energy-efficiency compliance.
AP/ArmaFlex Self-Adhesive is part of Armacell’s AP/ArmaFlex family of closed-cell elastomeric foam insulation, engineered with labor-saving self-adhesive systems for pipe, duct, and equipment insulation. AP/ArmaFlex Black LapSeal pipe insulation is supplied with pre-applied adhesive on one wall and an easy-to-install self-seal (lap seal) closure, available across a wide range of inner diameters and wall thicknesses up to 2″. AP/ArmaFlex SA sheet insulation is supplied in 36″ x 48″ (0.915 m x 1.22 m) sheets for all thicknesses, and AP/ArmaFlex SA roll insulation is supplied 48″ wide with length dependent on thickness. AP/ArmaFlex SA is NBR-based through 2″ wall thickness, while the 1-1/2″ and 2″ wall thicknesses of AP/ArmaFlex FS SA are EPDM-based.
Thermal performance is declared separately for the NBR-based and EPDM-based constructions, with resulting R-values provided for both tube (by ID and wall thickness) and sheet/roll (by wall thickness) configurations. The material offers low water vapor permeability and low water absorption, supporting condensation control performance. Below -20°F (-29°C) the material becomes less flexible, though this does not affect its thermal or water vapor performance, and it can withstand short-term exposure to temperatures as high as 250°F (121°C) per ASTM C411. Fire performance varies by form and thickness: LapSeal tube (all thicknesses) and FS SA sheet/roll (through 2″) achieve a 25/50 flame spread/smoke developed rating, as does standard SA sheet/roll through 1″ thickness, but SA sheet/roll at 1-1/2″ and 2″ thickness is not 25/50 rated. The product is made with EPA-registered MICROBAN® antimicrobial product protection and is manufactured without CFCs, HFCs, HCFCs, PBDEs, or formaldehyde. Compliant with ASTM C534, ASTM C1534, ASTM D1056, ASTM G21/C1338, ASTM E84, UL 723, CAN/ULC S102, NFPA 90A, NFPA 90B, MEA 107-89M, MIL-P-15280J, ASHRAE 90.1, International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), International Residential Code (IRC), Title 24 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, and GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
What differentiates AP/ArmaFlex Self-Adhesive from standard (non-adhesive) AP/ArmaFlex insulation?
AP/ArmaFlex Self-Adhesive adds a factory-applied adhesive system — a pre-applied adhesive with self-seal (lap seal) closure on Black LapSeal tube, and a self-adhering backing on SA sheet and roll stock — that reduces installation time on large pipes and equipment compared to field-applied contact adhesive, while retaining the same closed-cell elastomeric insulation performance (NBR-based through 2" thickness, or EPDM-based for the FS SA grade at 1-1/2" and 2" thickness).
Why does thermal conductivity matter in material selection for AP/ArmaFlex Self-Adhesive?
Thermal conductivity determines the insulating efficiency and resulting R-value achieved at a given wall thickness. The TDS declares distinct λd values for the NBR-based construction (≤ 0.0353 W/(m·K) at 75°F/24°C) versus the EPDM-based FS SA construction (≤ 0.040 W/(m·K) at 75°F/24°C), which is why the published R-value tables differ by base polymer and must be matched to the required insulating performance for a given pipe size or thickness.
What is the service temperature range for AP/ArmaFlex Self-Adhesive?
-34°C to 82°C (-30°F to 180°F) for the full range per ASTM C534, with 82°C (180°F) applying to full bonding sheet insulation. Below -20°F (-29°C) the material becomes less flexible, though this does not affect thermal or water vapor performance, and it can withstand short-term exposure up to 250°F (121°C) per ASTM C411.
Is AP/ArmaFlex Self-Adhesive suitable for flame-rated and energy-code-regulated environments?
Yes, for the rated forms and thicknesses. AP/ArmaFlex Black LapSeal tube (all thicknesses), AP/ArmaFlex SA FS sheet and roll (through 2" thickness), and standard AP/ArmaFlex SA sheet and roll (through 1" thickness) achieve a Flame Spread Index below 25 and Smoke Developed Index below 50 per ASTM E84, UL 723, and CAN/ULC S102 — note that SA sheet/roll at 1-1/2" and 2" thickness is NOT 25/50 rated. The product line also conforms to NFPA 90A/90B, ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, IMC, IRC, and Title 24 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, and is GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
How should AP/ArmaFlex Self-Adhesive be specified?
Specify grade (AP/ArmaFlex SA, Black LapSeal tube, or FS SA), form (tube, sheet, or roll), wall thickness, base polymer (NBR or EPDM), required flame-spread/smoke-developed rating, compliance requirements, dimensional tolerances, and finished format.
