Balmoral Elastotherm™
The Balmoral range of PU-based insulation comprises both syntactic foam and solid elastomer systems.
PU syntactic foam systems are based on the use of pre-formed hollow microspheres suspended in a thermoset PU elastomer matrix.
The hollow microsphere material may be either thermoplastic polymer or glass. Polymer microspheres are extremely thin wall, so offer significantly better insulation properties than glass microsphere-based systems, however, with their thin wall and modest polymer mechanical properties, they are unable to make a significant contribution to the compression resistance of the foam. Polymer sphere syntactic polyurethane foam (SPU) is therefore restricted to service in relatively shallow water (0-350msw).
Glass microspheres are extremely creep resistant and demonstrate high hydrostatic collapse values. Glass syntactic polyurethane foam (GSPU) is suitable for service at water depths to 3000msw. Balmoral provides both polymer sphere (SPU) and glass microsphere (GSPU) versions of syntactic polyurethane.
The temperature resistance of PU syntactic foams varies according to the nature of the hollow microspheres and also upon whether water is present at the hot interface.
The polymer microspheres are chemically inert and so the temperature resistance of SPU mirrors that of the PU elastomer matrix - typically 110ºC hot/dry and 90ºC hot/wet.
Glass microspheres have an alkaline surface which can accelerate thermal and hydrolytic degradation. GSPU is therefore typically limited to 100ºC hot/dry & 70ºC hot/wet.
Solid PU insulation
Solid elastomer systems are used in situations where service conditions preclude the use of Elastotherm syntactic systems, for example:
• Excessive depth/hydrostatic pressure | eg >350msw for Elastotherm SPU and >3000msw for Elastotherm GSPU
• High service temperature | eg >110ºC for SPU and >100ºC for GSPU
• Hot/wet conditions | eg >90ºC for SPU and >70ºC for GSPU
• Field application, including girth weld coating, in adverse environmental conditions
• Where constant insulation properties are required through service life
• Where in-service fatigue or high coating strains during installation are anticipated
Particular advantages of Elastotherm solid elastomer systems include:
• Immunity to hydrostatic compression
• Combined insulation and anticorrosion performance
• Outstanding flexural, tensile and impact performance
Applications
Balmoral Elastotherm PU insulation systems are suitable for use both as cast-in-place ‘wet’ insulation on ‘Christmas trees’, manifolds, jumpers, spool pieces and in modular systems on connectors and flange covers.
