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Airboard AERO
Breathable* Insulation

Combined Continuous Insulation + WRB** Solution

Airboard® AERO is graphite-enhanced polystyrene (GPS) insulation with advanced facers for outstanding, multi-function performance and fast installation.

The reflective metallic facers are perforated for breathability* and can boost the effective insulation value when acting as radiant heat barrier against air spaces.

Airboard® AERO can also serve as a water-resistive barrier (WRB)** in low-rise buildings when the seams, penetrations and transitions are sealed & flashed.

Airboard AERO Breathable Insulation being installed

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Benefits

Exceptional Insulation Value

Thinner continuous insulation (c.i.) layer due to very high Insulation Values with zero thermal drift, combined with breathability*, water-resistive**, and radiant heat barrier properties

Cozy, Healthy Indoor Environments

Continuous insulation blanket with no formaldehyde nor off-gassing during normal use, while virtually eliminating the risk of condensation, rot and mold

A Breeze to Install

For high jobsite productivity, the boards are multi-purpose, large, lightweight & easy to cut, with markers for fastening and cutting. Lamination allows bending the boards for radius walls

Environmentally Responsible

Excellent durability & low embodied carbon while using air as insulator - not harmful gases such as HFC that's used in other insulation materials

Reduced Waste & Damage

Double-sided lamination greatly increases board strength & flexibility and keeps jobsites cleaner


Brochure

Applications

Breathable* continuous insulation, plus water-resistive barrier** when sealed, for new construction & retrofits of above-grade walls and more in low-rise buildings.

"Breathable" refers to relatively high water-vapor permeance*. In colder & most temperate climates, breathable insulation is installed on the exterior of above-grade walls. This allows drying to the exterior to greatly reduce the risk of condensation, rot and mold in the assembly when paired with a vapor barrier on the interior. Note that in many hot & humid climates this is reversed - breathable layer on the interior, vapor barrier on the exterior.

Airboard AERO Breathable Insulating Sheathing

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Specify & Install

Airboard® AERO Documents

Specifications Typ. Details PDF Typ. Details DWG Installation Guide Code Evaluation Report

Airboard® AERO is Thermal Insulation CAN/ULC-S701.1, ASTM C578, ICC-ES AC12 with Surface Burning Characteristics CAN/ULC-S102.2, ASTM E84 (UL 723). Intertek Listed & Inspected

* Breathable Insulation Designs:

** Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB) Designs:

Wall Assemblies:

¾ Hour Fire Rating for a Composite Wall Assembly with AERO c.i. CAN/ULC-S101, ASTM E119

Meets NFPA 285 with specific limitations for an Exterior Wall Assembly with AERO c.i.

Airboard® AERO dimensions are 4' x 8' [1.22m x 2.44m] with thicknesses from 5/8" to 6" [16-152mm] packed in bundles up to 12½" high. The graphite-enhanced, expanded polystyrene (GPS) insulation cores are laminated on both sides with perforated, 1 mil [25.4μm] metallic reflective facers made of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and other polymers. GPS is closed cell foam insulation using air as main ingredient.

Property1 Units, Applicability Airboard® AERO Type A100 Test Std.
Third-Party Certified Type Canada 1 CAN/ULC-S701.1
USA I ASTM C578
Thermal Resistance2,3,7 typical at mean temperatures of:
R-value / nominal inch ft²•hr•°F/ (BTU•1.0625in) 40°F 5.2 ASTM C518
or C177
75°F 5.0
RSI / 25mm m²•°C/ (W•25mm) 4°C 0.85
24°C 0.815
Water Vapor Permeance4 perm 1" thick 2.2 ASTM E96
Proc. A desiccant
2-⅛" thick 1.2
ng/(Pa•s•m²) 25.4mm thick 126
54mm thick 68
Water Penetration Resistance4 of boards & joint‑sealing 5/8" thick @ 300 Pa > 24 hours Modified AATCC 127
Water Column
1" thick @ 747 Pa > 24 hours
Water Absorption4,5 when submersed % by
volume
USA 0.91 ASTM C272, 1 day
Canada 0.27 ASTM D2842, 4 days
Weathering4 of boards & joint‑sealing Ultraviolet Light Exposure Pass ICC-ES AC71 Sec. 3.5
Accelerated Aging Pass
Compressive Resistance6
minimum @ 10% Deformation
psi 10 ASTM D1621
Proc.A
kPa 70
Density7,8 Nominal7 lbs/ft³ 1 ASTM D1622
Minimum8 kg/m³ 14.4

1 The test methods used to determine the material properties provide a means of comparing different cellular plastic thermal insulations. They are intended for use in specifications, product evaluations and quality control but they are not intended to predict end-use product performance.  2 Values are for 1-1⁄16 inch or 25mm thick samples as indicated. Better values will result for thicker materials.  3 R means resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.  4 Values are per testing with laminated facers intact & joints sealed, and for thicknesses as noted.   5 The lab-test methods for water absorption use complete submersion under a head of water for 24 or 96 hours, so the values are applicable to specific design requirements only when the end-use conditions are similar to test method requirements. Unlaminated edges were sealed to reflect installation with sealed joints, penetrations & transitions.  6 The elastic limit is between 1% and 2% strain. Compressive resistances at 10% strain are provided for applications where the intended end-use can tolerate plastic (permanent) deformation under load.  7 not part of all the industry consensus standards (ASTM C578, CAN/ULC-S701.1) and provided AS-IS solely for informational purposes  8 Minimum Density only applicable to USA-bound products per ASTM C578 (not Canada-bound products per CAN/ULC-S701.1).

UV-Light Degradation: Airboard® AERO can be exposed to direct sunlight for a few weeks. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light can degrade the facers and GPS. Fading of the print on the facers does not affect performance.

Additional Properties of GPS

Graphite-enhanced expanded polystyrene (GPS) has no nutritional value for organisms and resists mold & fungi growth per ASTM C1338. To protect against animals place adequate physical barriers such as bug-screens or membranes around GPS.
Deformation due to Thermal Radiation: unprotected, gray GPS will deform when exposed to direct or reflected sunlight or other radiant heat sources. Keep GPS covered using opaque tarp, reflective covers or suitable indoor storage until finishes are installed.
Max. Service Temperature: Long-Term Exposure 74°C [165°F], Intermittent Exposure 79°C [175°F]
Thermal Expansion coefficient: 5-7•10-5/°K per ASTM D696
Solubility: Insoluble in water and in general chemically inert. GPS dissolves in hydrocarbons (e.g. fuels, oils, tar), organic solvents (e.g. acetone/ketones, benzene, paint thinner), ethers, esters, aldehydes and amines. Capillarity: None
Surface Burning Characteristics Canada CAN/ULC-S102.2: Flame-Spread Rating ≤295, Smoke Developed Classification over 500.   USA Class A (NFPA 101), ASTM E84 (UL 723)ª: Flame Spread Index ≤25, Smoke-Developed Index ≤450 up to 6" thick
Limiting Oxygen Index: min. 24% per ASTM D2863. Airfoam's GPS for construction applications contains a polymeric (non-HBCD) fire retardant modifier.
CAUTION: GPS products are combustible and must not be exposed to excessive heat, sparks, open flames, or any other sources of ignition. A protective barrier or thermal barrier is required as specified in the appropriate building code. If stored/used in closed containers, confined, or low-lying areas, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent accumulation of flammable pentane vapours. Prevent inhalation of smoke, fumes or dust from burning or fabrication activities. GHS Classification: Non-Hazardous, see SDS

ª Ceiling measurement only, conducted through determination of flame spread index and smoke-developed index with the removal of any contribution of molten materials ignited on the floor of the Steiner tunnel.