Whether the insulation task involves heat, light, sound, moisture or gases, aluminium foil is a high performance material. Its highly reflective surface has, for example, earned it an indispensable place inthe insulation of domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. In ducting and pipework too, where the suppression of heat loss or gain is essential, alufoil’s reflective (up to 98% of light and infrared heat) and barrier properties make it the material of choice.
The versatility of aluminium foil – easy to laminate, to shape and to coat with a protective lacquer – takes into a great variety of situations. Its insulation role extends into fire protection. In ‘fire walls’ for vehicles and ships, for fire-resistant doors and building panels, aluminium foil with its melting point of around 660 °C and its heat conductivity dissipates heat and stops access to the oxygen required to support flames. In electrical cables, aluminium foil is an essential component providing long-term protection. It also insulates against magnetic and radio frequency emissions. Used in fibre-optic cables, aluminium foil acts as a ‘tracer’ to enable testing of the integrity of cable links.
Efficient wall insulation saves costs and floor space A foil-base insulation layer can avoid the need for an inner brick skin. The inner surface is an insulated framed dry lining. A foil-foam lining reduced the wall thickness and maximised the available floorspace in an apartment building.
Alufoil laminate doesn’t only help to keep temperatures under control, the highly reflective surface can make the most of available and artificial light – an added cost saving.
Pre-formed phenolic resin pipework insulation with a protective coat of alufoil. Adding to the insulation, the foil also protects the surface of the plastic from damage.
Highly reflective and durable alufoil adhesive tape is available in widths up to 30 cm. As well as efficiently joining insulation materials in, for example, pipework installations, self adhesive alufoil may beused for small scale tasks such as RF screening in electronic equipment etc.
Insulation is not just for buildings. This fast ferrycar deck is lined with an insulating and fire resistant alufoil composite, so enhancing passenger, vehicle and vessel safety. Roof insulation going into place on a large warehouse project. The work is fast and efficient and poses no occupational health problems – no need for special protective clothing or other safety measures.
In communication cables, aluminium foil gives long-term insulation against moisture and attack from naturally occurring corrosive elements found above and below the ground. Aluminium foil also acts as an insulator against the magnetic and radio frequency fields associated with metal electrical cables.
As a sheath for fibre-optic cables, aluminium foil’s electrical conductivity enables the testing of the integrity of cablelinks.