Insulation questions,
answered by our engineers

What products does Nextera Insulations supply? We supply complete insulation systems across two divisions: Industrial Solutions (hot insulation, cold insulation... Is Nextera Insulations a manufacturer or a supplier? Nextera operates as both - manufacturing and supplying insulation, jacketing and cladding systems directly to oil &... Which countries does Nextera deliver to? We serve 15 countries across the GCC, Africa and Central & South Asia, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar... Does Nextera supply insulation for oil & gas refineries and LNG facilities? Yes. We supply hot, cold and cryogenic insulation with corrosion-resistant metal jacketing engineered for refinery... Do you provide technical assistance for material selection? Yes - 24/7. Our engineers help with material selection, thermal calculations, specification reviews and on-site... Can you handle bulk orders for large projects? Yes. With a 50+ product range and hassle-free logistics, we supply full project quantities with dependable lead times... Are your materials quality certified? Yes. Every material is sourced from trusted manufacturers and supplied with relevant test certificates and datasheets -... How do I request a quotation? Use the Get a Quote button, email sales@nexterainsulations.com, or call +971 4 2633071 with your bill of quantities -...

What temperature can aerogel insulation withstand? Up to 650 °C (1200 °F). That is why it is specified for boiler and furnace insulation, steam turbine ductwork, flue gas... How is aerogel insulation supplied? As flexible blankets and panels. It cuts and installs easily on site, and gives the same thermal performance as... Is aerogel insulation fire rated? Yes - it carries a Class A1 fire resistance rating, and it is non-toxic and free of aggressive chemicals. Does aerogel insulation cope with humid or coastal sites? Yes. It is moisture-proof, so it keeps its insulating performance in humid environments, and its high resistance to...

What temperature can calcium silicate insulation take? Up to 650 °C (1200 °F) in continuous service, which covers most high-temperature process piping, boilers and pressure... How strong is it? Compressive strength is 0.85 MPa or better. That is what allows it to be used where the insulation carries load or... What sizes are available? Boards and slabs at 300 x 600 mm in thicknesses from 25 to 100 mm, and pipe sections from 0.5" to 60" inner diameter in... Is it non-combustible? Yes - it passes the ASTM E136 non-combustibility test, so it can be specified where a fire-safe insulation is required.

What temperature range does perlite insulation cover? Up to 650 °C (1202 °F) for hot service, and it is equally suited to cryogenic and low-temperature tanks - one material... How does perlite handle water? It has high water resistance, which is one of the main reasons it is specified for exposed and buried service where... What sizes can I get? Boards and slabs 600 mm long in 300 or 150 mm widths, and pipe sections 600 mm long from 0.5" to 60" inner diameter... Does it help with noise? Yes. Perlite has useful sound-dampening properties alongside its thermal performance, which is handy on plant rooms and...

How hot can ceramic blanket go? Grades run from 1260 °C to 1425 °C. Which grade you need depends on the continuous operating temperature and how much... What densities and thicknesses are available? Densities of 64, 96, 128 and 160 kg/m3, in thicknesses from 12 to 50 mm, supplied as rolls or blankets with optional... Does it contain asbestos? No. Ceramic blanket is asbestos-free and non-combustible. Why choose blanket over rigid board? Blanket is flexible, so it wraps burners, doors and complex shapes without cutting and fitting, and its low heat...

Is mineral wool the same as rockwool? On site the two words are used for the same thing. Rockwool is a brand name; mineral wool - also called rock wool or... What temperature can mineral wool insulation take? Up to 750 °C in continuous service. The fibres themselves do not melt below 1000 °C, which is why the same material is... What densities and thicknesses do you supply? Wire-mesh blankets at 40-128 kg/m3 in 30-100 mm, slabs and blocks at 30-140 kg/m3 in 25-100 mm, and pipe sections at... Is it non-combustible? Yes - mineral wool is classified Euroclass A1 to EN 13501-1, the highest reaction-to-fire class, so it adds nothing to... Does it work for acoustics as well as heat? Yes. The open fibre structure absorbs sound, so one slab handles both jobs on plant rooms, ductwork and enclosures... Will it cause corrosion under the insulation? The product is water-repellent, chemically inert and low in chlorides, so the wool itself does not drive CUI. What...

Can PIR be used at pipe supports? Yes - that is what the high-density support inserts are for. They carry the load at the support without crushing, which... What standard does it meet? Our PIR meets ASTM C591 Grade 2. Custom densities, sizes and facings are available where a project calls for them. Is PIR suitable for cryogenic work? Yes. It is used from cryogenic service through chilled water and cold storage, and also on hot water and condensate... How does it handle moisture? Its closed-cell structure resists moisture ingress, which is essential on cold service where vapour drive pushes water...

How good is phenolic foam thermally? Its thermal conductivity is 0.018 W/m.K - the best of any foam we supply. In practice that means a thinner build-up for... What is its fire rating? Class O. That combination of low conductivity and fire performance is the main reason phenolic is specified on building... What temperatures does it cover? From -180 °C up to +125 °C, so it spans cryogenic service through chilled water and into low-temperature hot service. What forms is it supplied in? Pipe sections, slabs and boards.

Why choose cellular glass over foam for cold work? Because it is genuinely impermeable. The cells are sealed glass, so it does not absorb water or vapour at all - the... What sizes are available? Boards from 25 to 180 mm thick, pipe sections from 0.5" to 24" diameter, and custom fabricated shapes for fittings and... Is it fire safe? Yes - cellular glass is non-combustible, and it is also resistant to most chemicals and solvents. How dense is it? Approximately 115 kg/m3. It is rigid and dimensionally stable, which is why it is used at tank bases and load-bearing...

What is XLPE insulation used for? Chilled water pipe and duct insulation, cold water and condensate pipes, HVAC ducting and acoustic insulation in... Does it cope with sun and weather? Yes. It is UV and ozone resistant, so it holds up on plant rooms and rooftops as well as in concealed ceiling voids. What thicknesses are available? Several thicknesses, chosen to suit the project specification. Matching adhesives and tapes are available for sealing... How does it handle moisture? The closed-cell cross-linked structure gives it low water absorption, which keeps its thermal performance stable on...

Which aluminium alloys do you supply? 3003 and 3105, in mill finish, stucco embossed, corrugated and pre-painted coils in RAL colours. What is the moisture barrier for? It keeps the metal from touching the insulation, which is the main defence against corrosion under insulation. We... Can I get a specific thickness and width? Yes - thickness, width and finish are made to the project specification. Is aluminium suitable outdoors? Yes. It is weather and UV resistant, and light enough to install quickly over long pipe and duct runs.

Which grade should I specify? 304 for general industrial service; 316 or 316L where chlorides are present - offshore, coastal and many chemical... Does stainless jacketing prevent corrosion under insulation? The moisture barrier on the inner face is what does that, by keeping the metal off the insulation. We supply... What finishes are available? Plain 2B finish, smooth or embossed. Can it be used on hot and cryogenic systems? Yes - stainless jacketing is used across thermal and cryogenic pipe systems as well as general plant.

How hot can aluminized steel cladding go? Up to 450 °C in continuous service and 1100 °C for intermittent exposure, which is why it is used on chimneys, hot... What is the coating? Pure aluminium, 99% or better, hot-dipped on both sides at around 305 g/m2 - roughly 50 microns per side - over a... Will the coating peel? No. The bond is intermetallic rather than a surface film, so the cladding can be corrugated and bent without the... What standard does it meet? ASTM A463/A463M Type 2.

What widths does the banding come in? 13, 15, 19 and 25 mm at 0.5 mm thickness as standard, in matte or bright finish. Custom sizes are available on bulk... Which seals do you supply? Wing seals, clip seals and scru-seals, matched to the banding width. What temperature range does it cover? -112 °F to +1000 °F, which spans cryogenic through to high-temperature service. 304 or 316? 304 for general industrial use. 316 wherever chlorides are present - offshore, coastal and many chemical plants -...

Which banding widths do the seals suit? Each seal is sized to its band. We match them to our 13, 15, 19 and 25 mm stainless banding. 304 or 316 seals? Match the seal to the banding - 304 for general service, 316 wherever chlorides are present, such as offshore and... Is a special tool needed? A banding tool tensions the band; the wings are then folded down over it. No separate crimping tool is required. Can wing seals be used with springs? Yes. On large tanks and vessels they close the banding that runs between expansion or Mighty Springs.

What variants are available? Small, large, narrow and self-locking toggles, in 304 or 316 stainless. What are they made from? 3.00 mm stainless wire with 3.2 mm or 4.2 mm stainless rivets, and precision-fabricated strike plates. Where are toggle clips the right choice? Anywhere a cover has to be removed and refitted - valve and flange boxes, removable jacketing, and HVAC duct cladding. Do they hold up to vibration? Yes. They are vibration resistant and suited to both indoor and outdoor service, with 316 for marine and offshore work.

Why fit expansion springs at all? Because pipes move. Banding tightened cold either slackens or cuts into the insulation once the line heats up; the... What strapping do they suit? All common strapping widths up to 19 mm (3/4 inch). How much travel do they give? Pre-stretched half an inch at installation, with up to 2 inches of service expansion - a 4-inch spring will stretch up... Which grade for offshore work? SS 316, for its superior chloride resistance. SS 304 is the standard choice elsewhere.

What is a Mighty Spring? A stainless compression spring in a slotted housing, fitted into insulation banding. It lets the band flex as the... How does it differ from a plain compression spring? It is the same principle, supplied as a ready-made assembly with a slotted base for the banding - the usual choice when... Which banding does it take? Stainless banding up to 19 mm (3/4") wide, closed with a matching seal. How many springs does a vessel need? It depends on the diameter and the temperature swing. Send us the equipment size and operating temperatures and we will...

What is tying wire used for? Holding insulation in place before it is jacketed - tying pipe sections, lacing blankets and mattresses, and fixing... Why stainless rather than galvanised wire? It stays under the cladding for the life of the system. Stainless does not rust or stain the insulation, and 316 holds... Which diameters do you supply? Common gauges run from 0.9 mm to 1.6 mm, soft annealed. Tell us the application and we will match the gauge. Is it easy to work by hand? Yes. Being soft annealed, it twists and laces with ordinary pliers and holds its shape once tied.

Where are screws used instead of banding? On seams, fittings, box covers and flat cladding panels, where a band cannot go round. Banding still carries the main... Why stainless screws? They do not rust or stain the jacketing, and they come out cleanly when a section has to be removed. 316 is the choice... Which sizes are common? 4.2 mm and 4.8 mm diameters, in lengths to suit the sheet thickness. Tell us the jacketing material and we will confirm... How do I make a screwed seam weather-tight? Fit sealing washers under the heads. They seal the hole and keep stainless screws from sitting directly on aluminium...

What are thermal insulation tapes used for? Thermal insulation tapes are used within insulation systems for applications such as joint sealing, facing continuity... Which tape is used for FSK insulation? FSK tape is designed for foil-scrim-kraft faced insulation and can be used for sealing joints and laps in suitable... What is aluminum foil tape used for? Aluminum foil tape is commonly used with foil-faced insulation systems, including PIR, PUR, phenolic and foil-faced... What is reinforced aluminum foil tape? Reinforced aluminum foil tape contains a fiberglass scrim reinforcement that provides additional mechanical strength... What is butyl foil tape used for? Butyl foil tape is used for applications requiring vapour sealing, moisture resistance and durable adhesion, including... Can insulation tapes be used outdoors? Some insulation tapes are designed for outdoor applications. The selected product should be checked for UV resistance... How do I choose the right insulation tape? Selection should consider the insulation material, facing, substrate, application temperature, service temperature... Can insulation tape replace mechanical fastening? No. Tape should not be considered a replacement for mechanical fastening, banding or jacketing when these are required...

What are thermal insulation adhesives used for? Thermal insulation adhesives are used to bond insulation materials, facings and compatible components during insulation... What adhesive is suitable for PIR and PUR insulation? A PIR or PUR adhesive should be compatible with the specific rigid foam insulation and should not attack or soften the... Can adhesives be used with phenolic foam? Yes, when the adhesive is specifically compatible with the phenolic foam and its facing system. Solvent sensitivity and... What is a vapor-barrier mastic? A vapor-barrier mastic is a flexible, low-permeance material used to help maintain continuous vapor protection around... Where are vapor-barrier mastics used? They can be used around valves, fittings, penetrations, supports, terminations and irregular insulation surfaces where... What is weather-barrier mastic? Weather-barrier mastic is a protective coating used on suitable insulation systems to help resist rain, moisture and... What are high-temperature mastics used for? They can be used with suitable high-temperature insulation systems for bonding, joint filling, surface treatment and... Can one adhesive be used for every insulation material? No. Adhesive selection depends on the insulation material, substrate, operating temperature, environmental conditions... What should be checked before selecting an insulation adhesive? Check material compatibility, substrate, service temperature, application conditions, curing requirements and project...

What is a vapor barrier in an insulation system? A vapor barrier is a material or system designed to restrict water-vapor movement into thermal insulation. It is... Why are vapor barriers important in cold insulation? A continuous vapor barrier helps limit moisture ingress into cold insulation. Gaps or discontinuities can allow... What is ASJ insulation? ASJ stands for All-Service Jacket. It is a vapor-retarder jacket commonly used with preformed pipe insulation... What is a polymeric vapor barrier? A polymeric vapor barrier is a high-barrier membrane designed to restrict water-vapor transmission. Multi-layer... Where are butyl vapor barriers used? Butyl vapor barrier systems can be used around seams, overlaps, penetrations and terminations where flexible vapor... What is vapor-barrier mastic? Vapor-barrier mastic is a field-applied coating used to create a continuous moisture-resistant layer, particularly... What is vapor permeance? Vapor permeance refers to the ability of water vapor to pass through a material. Lower permeance is generally important... Are vapor barriers required for HVAC insulation? Some HVAC and chilled-water insulation systems require vapor-retarder protection. FSK, foil and ASJ facings can provide... Can vapor barriers be used with metal jacketing? Yes. Vapor-control systems can be incorporated with metal jacketing arrangements. The specific moisture-barrier... How should a vapor barrier be protected outdoors? Outdoor vapor barriers should normally be protected with a suitable weatherproof jacketing or cladding system to reduce...

What patterns can be perforated? Round, square, slotted and hexagonal holes, decorative motifs and custom artwork - and hole sizes can be varied across... Which metals and finishes are available? Aluminium, stainless steel and other high-performance metals, finished by powder coating in any RAL colour, or... Does a perforated facade actually reduce cooling costs? Yes - it shades the glazing behind it, which cuts solar gain, while still letting daylight and air through. That is the... What else can the same system be used for? Sun screens and louvres, balustrades and railings, parking garage screens, and interior walls and ceilings.

What fire ratings are available? Half hour, one hour and two hour, tested to BS 476 Part 22 and international standards. The rating belongs to the... How thick are the systems? From 66 to 198 mm depending on the rating and acoustic requirement, and they can be built up to 10 metres high with a... Do they cope with humidity? Yes - they are built for humid environments and resist moisture, termites, fungi and corrosion, unlike gypsum board in... How much sound do they stop? Up to 44 dB, which is why they are used in hotels, hospitals, theatres and offices as well as for fire compartmentation.