Hydrophobicity is the state of repelling water or resisting wetness—a core component in CUI prevention. Pyrogel’s inherent hydrophobicity keeps liquid water at bay in your facility. Plus, since Pyrogel doesn’t absorb water, insulation weight—and, therefore, pipe and asset weight—stays stable.
Pyrogel is hydrophobic by nature. But, water is tenacious. In the event it finds a way in, Pyrogel’s open-cell construction allows vapor to quickly exit, acting as a non-return valve for liquid moisture. So, pipes and assets will quickly dry out, preventing CUI.
Pyrogel, although flexible, is stiff in compression and offers excellent spring back. In fact, Pyrogel recovers even after major compression events. So, worries about vibration, tool strikes, footfalls, and expansion-contraction cycles are a thing of the past.
A single layer of Pyrogel can protect any asset in the facility when watershed is placed at the 6 o’clock position. When multiple layers are required, water penetration is nearly impossible due to water’s tortuous path through the aerogel structure.
Jacketing damage – and, therefore, CUI – is often found near frequently serviced flanges. Pyrogel’s robust thermal efficiency and thin profile can provide a finished diameter that is smaller than the flange’s bolt circle—enabling insulators to run right up to the flange face, and operators to service exchangers, vessel heads, and piping connections—without damaging the adjacent insulation.
While eliminating moisture-against-metal is the first line of defense in any CUI prevention strategy, corrosion inhibitors can be a useful backup. Pyrogel is designed with corrosion inhibitors, so that water entering the system will be buffered to a pH > 7 for carbon steel. In addition, Pyrogel is in the “acceptable” range of the Karn’s Curve (C795) for Austenitic Stainless Steel, and is suitable for use in systems including stainless steel materials.
While rigid insulations often crumble once jacketing is removed, sections of Pyrogel and jacketing can be easily removed and often reused, saving you the cost of purchasing new insulation—making inspection and maintenance cycles are faster and simpler, and letting you stretch your inspection budget further.
CUI defense is just one tactical area in which Pyrogel excels. Find out more about Pyrogel and peruse product and technical information.
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Wet fireproofing material can also cause corrosion in your facility. Pyrogel XTF offers powerful defense against corrosion under fireproofing (CUF). If you're experiencing CUF issues, contact us today, or click below to see if Pyrogel XTF is a fit for your facility.
