PLYSOLENE-PIB
PLYSOLENE-PIB (polyisobutylene) is an ideal waterproofing membrane for pipework and ventilation ducting
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THE PRODUCT

With over 30 years experience extruding Polyisobutylene, PLYSOLENE-PIB is an ideal waterproofing membrane for pipework and ventilation ductwork. PLYSOLENE-PIB has outstanding physical properties at low temperature to below -30°C and is easy to cut and solvent-weld on site where difficult shapes are required. This material is ideal for oil refineries, chemical works and power stations.

KEY Features

We produce PLYSOLENE-PIB from high molecular weight polyisobutylene, and modify it to achieve optimum properties.

  • Will not harden.
  • Easy to use (talc and interleaved grades)
  • Ozone resistant.
  • UV resistant.
  • Solvent weld (no specialist adhesives needed)
  • Excellent chemical resistance
  • Wide working temperature range (-34°C to +72°C)

PIB TECHNICAL DATA

Specific Gravity: 1.6

Tensile Strength: 2.5Nmm-2

Elongation: 300%

Temperature Range: -34°C to +72°C

Vapour Permeability: 5g/0.001in/m2/day at 38°C and 90% RH (0.1g/m2/24 hrs)

Product Range

Colour: Black

Types: Interleaved with a non woven polypropylene release-coated liner or chalk to ensure easy unwind.

Thicknesses: 0.5 – 1.2 mm

Format: 20 metre Rolls

Solvent Weld: 1 litre and 5 litre tins

chalk
interleave
Welding Agent

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE

Plysolene PIB is generally unaffected by:
Hydrochloric Acid (diluted & concentrated), Acetone, Sulphuric Acid (dilute & concentrated), Acetic Acid, Aqueous Caustic Lime, Methanol and Ethanol, Aqueous Hydrosulphite, Formic Acid (dilute & concentrated), Methyl Acetate, Copper Sulphate solutions, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Permanganate, Ethylene Glycol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Chromic Acid, Glycerine, Ethyl Acetate, Sulphonic Acid, Phenol, Chlorosulphuric Acid, Cyclohexone, Sodium Hydroxide (dilute & concentrated), Ammonia, Naphthalene Sulphuric Acid, Solvents E13/E14.

APPLICATION ADVICE

The sheeting is very easily applied to the insulated pipeline. Suitably sized pieces are cut and wrapped around the outside of the insulation. Allow endlaps of 80mm and place 50mm sidelaps underneath the pipes.

Apply Plysolene Welding Agent E with a stiff brush to solvent weld the overlaps. Other solvents can be used, but greater skill is required to achieve really good welds, hence Plysolene always recommend the use of their specifically formulated welding agent. Apply the solvent with a circular scrubbing movement to both surfaces until they become tacky, then press the overlap together. Too much solvent used can cause premature failure as the excess solvent will continue to dissolve the PIB long after the weld has been made.

PIB is a thermoplastic elastomer and does soften with increases in temperature and therefore it should not be used to hold the insulation in place around the pipe. This should be secured in place prior to covering with PIB. For very large ductwork/pipelines, having a diameter in excess of 300mm, use 1.0mm or 1.2mm.

For ventilation ductwork, fully bond the sheeting to the fixed insulation material, which should consist of high density resin bonded glass-fibre or mineral-wool slab. If you use expanded polystyrene, tape the edges well and butt all sections up to one another to minimise movement and prevent a temperature gradient over any gap.

The main cause of failure on ventilation ductwork is air leakage within the ventilation system

Any air leak leads to a build-up of moist air within the insulation material that becomes wet as the air cools and condensation occurs. Over a period of time this can cause the lagging to fail completely. The best solution is to eliminate all air leaks, but if you cannot do this, use very small ventilation holes in the underside of the ductwork to prevent moist air from building up within the insulation.

PLYSOLENE-PIB is a flexible thermoplastic elastomeric sheet and does not create a flat rigid appearance. Consequently, the top of any ductwork which is close to horizontal should be built-up to give rain a good run off, and the PIB and insulation material should be well supported to prevent puddling. For large ductwork or installations with many flat areas where you need a flatter finish, use 1.0mm or 1.2mm sheeting.

Download our Data Sheets