ArmaFlex® Shield
ArmaFlex Shield is a pre-jacketed flexible pipe insulation featuring a factory-applied, moisture- and UV-resistant polymeric jacket over an ArmaFlex insulation core, with a declared thermal conductivity as low as 0.036 W/(m·K) (0.25 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)) at 75°F. It is rated for continuous service from -297°F to 220°F (-183°C to 104°C) per ASTM C534, and carries a 25/50 flame spread/smoke developed rating per ASTM E84 and UL 723. The durable outer jacket eliminates the need for field-applied protective coatings or additional jacketing in outdoor applications.
Key Properties
- Thermal Conductivity (λd): ≤ 0.036 W/(m·K) at 75°F Θm / ≤ 0.037 W/(m·K) at 100°F Θm — k ≤ 0.25 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F) at 75°F / ≤ 0.257 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F) at 100°F
- Water Vapor Permeability: 0.03 Perm-in (0.435 × 10⁻¹³ kg/(s·m·Pa)) — meets Class 1 rating per ASTM E96, procedure A
- Service Temperature Range: -183°C to 104°C (-297°F to 220°F) per ASTM C534
- Fire Performance: Flame Spread Index less than 25, Smoke Developed Index less than 50 — 25/50 rated per ASTM E84 and UL 723
- Wall Thickness / Size Range: 1/2″ (13 mm), 3/4″ (19 mm), and 1″ (25 mm) wall thicknesses in ID sizes from 1/4″ to 1-1/8″ (6 mm to 28 mm), depending on wall thickness
- Water Absorption: 0.2%
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Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Wall Thickness | 1/2″ (13 mm), 3/4″ (19 mm), 1″ (25 mm) | — |
| ID Size Range | 1/4″ to 1-1/8″ (6 mm to 28 mm), available sizes vary by wall thickness | — |
| Length | Continuous coil (25′ – 155′ depending on ID size and wall thickness) or 6-foot cut lengths | — |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Service Temperature, Min. | -183°C / -297°F | ASTM C534 |
| Service Temperature, Max. | 104°C / 220°F | ASTM C534 |
| Declared Thermal Conductivity (λd), Θm 75°F | ≤ 0.036 W/(m·K) / k ≤ 0.25 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F) | — |
| Declared Thermal Conductivity (λd), Θm 100°F | ≤ 0.037 W/(m·K) / k ≤ 0.257 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F) | — |
| R-Value, 1/2″ (13 mm) wall thickness | 3.3 – 3.8 (varies by ID size) | — |
| R-Value, 3/4″ (19 mm) wall thickness | 5.4 – 6.4 (varies by ID size) | — |
| R-Value, 1″ (25 mm) wall thickness | 7.0 – 8.0 (varies by ID size) | — |
Flame & Fire Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Surface Spread of Flame | Flame Spread Index less than 25, Smoke Developed Index less than 50 — 25/50 Rated | ASTM E84 and UL 723, CAN/ULC S102.2 (up to and including 3/4″ thickness) |
| UL94 5VA | Pass at 1/4″ (6 mm) thickness and above | UL94 5VA |
| UL94 HF-1 | Pass at 1/4″ (6 mm) thickness and above | UL 94 HF-1 |
| UL94 V-0 | Pass at 1/4″ (6 mm) thickness and above | UL94 V-0 |
Environmental Performance
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Water Vapor Permeability | 0.03 Perm-in (0.435 × 10⁻¹³ kg/(s·m·Pa)) — meets Class 1 rating | ASTM E96, procedure A |
| Water Absorption | 0.2% | — |
| UV Resistance | Excellent: no deterioration (tested for 5,000 hours); meets ASTM C1775 requirements for outdoor insulation protective jacketing | ASTM G154 |
| Resistance to Ozone | Good | ASTM D1149 |
| Outdoor Use | Meets IECC requirements for protection of insulation installed outdoors; resists damage from sunlight and physical hazards including line trimmer contact; 5-year limited UV resistance warranty; no field-applied protective coating or additional jacketing required | — |
Compliance
- ASTM C534, Type I – Tube Grade 1 — Compliant
- ASTM E84 and UL 723 — Compliant (25/50 Rated)
- CAN/ULC S102.2 — Compliant (up to and including 3/4″ thickness)
- UL94 5VA — Compliant (Pass at 1/4″ thickness and above)
- UL94 HF-1 — Compliant (Pass at 1/4″ thickness and above)
- UL94 V-0 — Compliant (Pass at 1/4″ thickness and above)
- ASTM E96, Procedure A — Compliant (Meets Class 1 rating)
- ASTM D1149 — Compliant (Good ozone resistance)
- ASTM C1775 — Compliant (UV resistance requirements for outdoor protective jacketing)
- Title 24 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards — Compliant
- ASHRAE 90.1 — Compliant
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — Compliant
- International Residential Code (IRC) — Compliant
- International Mechanical Code (IMC) — Compliant
- ISO 9001 — Compliant (Armacell North America’s quality management systems, certified by Intertek)
- Outdoor mechanical piping insulation exposed to sunlight and weather
- Rooftop and exterior HVAC and refrigeration piping systems
- Pipe insulation subject to physical abuse during installation and maintenance, including line trimmer exposure
- Protection against condensation and moisture ingress on outdoor piping
- Outdoor piping systems requiring code-compliant energy conservation insulation
Common industries: HVAC and mechanical insulation, commercial and residential construction, plumbing, and outdoor refrigeration and piping systems.
ArmaFlex Shield consists of an ArmaFlex insulation core with a flexible, factory-applied polymeric protective covering engineered to prevent damage to the insulation from sunlight, installation, and physical abuse. It is designed for outdoor mechanical insulation applications where thermal loss, condensation, and moisture ingress must be controlled without the added labor of field-applied jacketing, and it is available in continuous coil lengths or 6-foot cut lengths across a range of wall thicknesses and ID sizes.
The material carries a 25/50 flame spread and smoke developed rating and has passed UL94 5VA, UL94 HF-1, and UL94 V-0 flammability testing at 1/4″ thickness and above. Its outer jacket demonstrates excellent UV resistance with no deterioration after extended weathering exposure and good resistance to ozone, while the insulation core maintains a low water vapor permeability rating and low water absorption. Installation is performed by slitting the material with a sharp, non-serrated knife and fitting it over pipe, with longitudinal and end seams sealed using ArmaFlex 520 adhesive; a compatible ArmaFlex Shield seam tape is available for additional seam protection.
Compliant with ASTM C534 (Type I, Tube, Grade 1), ASTM E84 and UL 723, CAN/ULC S102.2, UL94 5VA, UL94 HF-1, UL94 V-0, ASTM E96 (procedure A), ASTM D1149, ASTM C1775, Title 24 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards, ASHRAE 90.1, International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), and ISO 9001 (Armacell North America’s quality management systems, certified by Intertek).
What differentiates ArmaFlex Shield from standard, non-jacketed ArmaFlex insulation?
ArmaFlex Shield adds a factory-applied, flexible polymeric protective jacket over the standard ArmaFlex insulation core. This jacket resists damage from sunlight, installation, and physical abuse, and is backed by a 5-year limited UV resistance warranty — eliminating the need for a field-applied protective coating or additional jacketing that non-jacketed ArmaFlex products would otherwise require in outdoor applications.
Why does thermal conductivity matter in material selection for ArmaFlex Shield?
Thermal conductivity determines how effectively the insulation limits heat gain or loss across the pipe wall. ArmaFlex Shield's declared thermal conductivity of ≤ 0.036 W/(m·K) at 75°F (k ≤ 0.25 Btu·in/(h·ft²·°F)) allows it to deliver the R-values needed to meet outdoor energy-conservation code requirements while maintaining a compact wall thickness.
What is the service temperature range for ArmaFlex Shield?
ArmaFlex Shield is rated from -183°C to 104°C (-297°F to 220°F) per ASTM C534. Below -40°F (-40°C) the insulation becomes brittle, though this does not affect thermal efficiency or water vapor permeability; for applications below -40°F, contact Armacell's Customer Service Center. The insulation can withstand temperatures as high as 250°F (121°C) when tested according to ASTM C411.
Is ArmaFlex Shield suitable for code-regulated outdoor building applications?
Yes. ArmaFlex Shield conforms to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), and ASHRAE 90.1 energy standards, and meets Title 24 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards. It also carries a 25/50 flame spread/smoke developed rating per ASTM E84 and UL 723, UL94 5VA/HF-1/V-0 flammability ratings, and is manufactured under an ISO 9001-certified quality management system.
How should ArmaFlex Shield be specified?
Specify grade (ArmaFlex Shield), wall thickness, ID size, length format (continuous coil or 6-foot lengths), compliance requirements, and seam-sealing accessories (ArmaFlex 520 adhesive and/or ArmaFlex Shield seam tape).
