Technical insulation – rubber mats and laminate mats of mineral wool

Technical insulations are materials limiting heat loss, heat gains and condensation of water vapour on ventilation, air conditioning, cooling and heating installations. In this category you will find two basic mat solutions: FEF rubber mats – flexible, steamproof, dedicated to cold and cooling installations, and mineral wool lamella mats – non-flammable, heat-resistant, used on ventilation ducts and heating pipelines.

What you will find in category Technical insulation

• rubber mats (FEFs) in rolls, self-adhesive and glue-free, in thicknesses from 6 to 50 mm,
• rubber mats with aluminium cladding for external and duct installation,
• coated with aluminium foil (AluCoat),
• mounting accessories: contact adhesives, rubber and aluminium straps, sleeve insulation.

FEF rubber mats – vapourproof insulation for cooling and air conditioning

Rubber mats are made of flexible foam with closed cell structure (FEF – Flexible Elastomeric Foam). Closed cells form a built-in steamproof barrier, so the material does not absorb moisture and effectively prevents the condensation of water vapour on cold surfaces.

Technical characteristics of rubber mats

• heat conduction factor: approx. 0,033–0.036 W/(m·K) at 0 °C,
• Water vapour diffusion resistance μ: ≥ 5,000 (best series ≥ 10,000),
• operating temperature range: approx. −50 °C to +105/110 °C,
• reaction to fire: normally class BL-s3,d0 or CL-s3,d0 according to EN 13501-1,
• closed cell structure, lack of saturation, high flexibility.

Use of rubber mats

Freon and Refrigerated installations, ice water pipelines, air conditioning ducts, cold water ducts exposed to condensation, acoustic insulation of channels. For outdoor installation, it is necessary to protect against UV radiation: paint coating, sheet coat or mat with aluminium cladding.

Mineral wool lamellar mats – non-flammable and high temperature insulation

The lamella mat is formed by applying perpendicularly oriented bands (lamela) of mineral wool to the lining of reinforced aluminium foil. This fibre system increases tensile strength when wrapping pipes with large diameters and allows quick assembly without cutting material into segments.

Technical parameters of lamellar mats

• coefficient ❌: approx. 0.036–0.045 W/(m·K) depending on average temperature,
• maximum operating temperature: up to approx. 250 °C on the aluminium lining side,
• reaction to fire: Class A1 or A2-s1,d0 — non-flammable material,
• self-adhesive aluminium foil cladding,
• good acoustic insulation and full biological resistance.

Use of lamellar mats

Rectangular and circular ventilation ducts, central heating and hot water pipelines, industrial installations, boiler rooms, thermal nodes, tanks and collectors. The lamella mat works anywhere where the class of inflammability is required and work at high temperatures.

Rubber or lamellan mat – comparison

How to choose the thickness of technical insulation

For warm installations, minimum thicknesses are defined by the Technical Conditions Regulation (WT), at reference ❌ = 0.035 W/(m·K). Tubes with an internal diameter of up to 22 mm are insulated with a layer of 20 mm, from 22 to 35 mm – 30 mm, from 35 to 100 mm – a layer equal to an internal diameter of more than 100 mm – 100 mm. Cables conducted in the floor or in the internal partition require half of these values.

For refrigeration installations and ice water, the thickness is selected with the absence of condensation – the temperature of the medium, temperature and relative humidity of the environment and the diffusion resistance of the material are determined. In practice 9-19 mm is used for freon installations, for ice water most often 19–32 mm, and in rooms with high moisture thickness larger.

Installation – good practices

• the insulation is applied to a clean, dry and degreased surface, after testing the tightness of the installation,
• all joints and adhesive tabs over the entire length – leakage destroys the parochial barrier,
• do not squeeze the material under the covers; use brackets and insulating supports,
• mount rubber mats at a temperature as prescribed by the glue manufacturer,
• protect UV insulation and mechanical damage outside the building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical advice and delivery

We have been selling technical insulation since 2002. We will help to select the type and thickness of the material for a particular installation, prepare a valuation based on a summary or a project and carry out the shipment throughout Poland.