T-FIT® Clean brochure (PDF) (including installation guide)

Silirub 2/S data sheet

ZAXX9164 PVDF tape data sheet (associated consumable)

Straight lengths, 90° elbows, tees, reducers and valve/flange boxes, ZOTEK® F PVDF material, 6.35 mm thickness

Modular insulation moulded from Zotefoams ZOTEK® F closed-cell PVDF foam. FDA-compliant resin. Single thickness of 6.35 mm across the entire range, 920 mm straight lengths. Compatible with the three families of process tubes: ASME BPE (0.25 to 4 inches), DIN 11850 (DN8 to DN100), ISO 1127 (DN6 to DN80). Version with integrated tape or without tape (reference -NT). 90° elbows, equal tees, reducers and valve/flange boxes available in the same DN sizes. The only insulation system to meet the FM4910 Cleanroom Materials protocol.

What it is for

Mineral wool and conventional elastomeric foams have no place in a cleanroom. They emit, shed fibres, absorb moisture and perform poorly in fire. T-FIT® Clean starts from the opposite end: a closed-cell PVDF foam, fibre-free, particle-free, with near-zero VOCs, inherently hydrophobic, FM4910 tested. Fire behaviour is classified Euroclass B-s1,d0 and ASTM E84 0/10. AS 1530 gives 0/0/0/1. On this point, no other polymer or elastomeric insulation does better.

Typical applications: WFI and Purified Water loops, solvent loops in microelectronics, low-pressure pure steam lines, hot or cold piping in ISO 5 to ISO 8 zones, process HVAC, refrigeration, specialty gases, personnel protection on hot lines. Service range -80°C to +160°C, effectively 158°C under 5 bar steam.

Dry installation, with no power tools and no respiratory PPE. Installation is carried out on a line that is shut down, at ambient temperature, between 15°C and 40°C. Moulded parts (elbows, tees, boxes) are installed first. Straight lengths are cut with a long-bladed knife in a mitre box, slightly over length so they are installed in compression, with butt joints closed. Longitudinal joints are sealed with T-FIT® silicone sealant and closed with ZAXX9164 PVDF tape.

Durability stated by Zotefoams: a 10-year refit interval, compared with the usual removal-reinstallation cycles of degraded insulation. Over the lifetime of the plant, the economic argument lies in the cumulative cost, not the price per linear metre.

Range and coverage by tube standard

Three families of process tubes are covered in straight lengths, 90° elbows and equal tees. The complete catalogue of references is provided in Excel format, one sheet per standard. Below is the summary of coverage, thickness and length.

All parts in the range have a single thickness of 6.35 mm (0.27 inch). Straight lengths are supplied in 920 mm unit lengths. Elbows and tees are supplied as moulded parts with fixed geometry for each DN. All straight-length references exist in two versions: with integrated PVDF tape (standard reference) or without tape (suffix -NT), so the consumable can be added separately according to stock logistics.

The complete catalogue of references, one sheet per standard, is available as an attachment.

Reducers and valve / flange boxes

Reducers: most diameter changes are handled by overlapping two straight lengths of adjacent sizes, as the 6.35 mm thickness allows the larger tube to overlap the smaller one. For non-standard cases, moulded reducers are available on request.

Valve and flange boxes: moulded shells that open into two half-shells, with holes matched to the outside diameter of the incoming and outgoing insulation. Additional hole for the valve stem. Variable dimensions, not standard catalogue items: selection to be made with the technical team according to the geometry of the component to be insulated.

Material properties

Frequently asked questions

Why a single thickness of 6.35 mm?

ZOTEK® F PVDF has very low thermal conductivity (0.034 W/m.K at 25°C) and a closed-cell structure with µ = 8,750. At 6.35 mm, the insulation meets thermal and condensation control targets in most cleanroom applications from -80°C to +160°C. The single thickness simplifies stock and layout. For extreme cases (very low continuous temperature, beyond -80°C), consult the supplier.

Is an external vapour barrier (jacketing) needed?

No. The material is closed-cell, µ = 8,750 per ISO 1663:2007. No sheet metal or PVC film jacketing is required, provided that all longitudinal joints, butt joints, elbows, tees and boxes are correctly sealed with T-FIT® silicone sealant and taped with ZAXX9164 PVDF.

Version with tape or without tape (-NT): which should I choose?

With integrated tape: ZAXX9164 tape is pre-applied along the length of the tube, with liner. Saves time on site, guaranteed consistency. Without tape (reference -NT): the tube is delivered bare and the tape is purchased separately. Useful for regional stocking where tape is added to the order as needed. Functionally identical.

ATEX compatible?

ZOTEK® F PVDF is not claimed as ATEX by Zotefoams. The Euroclass B-s1,d0 classification means limited contribution to fire and low smoke opacity, but does not imply suitability for use in an ATEX zone. Case-by-case analysis according to the zone.

Compatible with the process line’s CIP / SIP?

The insulation is external and is not in contact with the process fluid. What matters is the tube skin temperature during cycles. Under pure steam at 5 bar (saturation temperature approximately 158°C), T-FIT® Clean holds. Beyond that (SIP at 165°C+ over long cycles), consult the supplier.

T-FIT® Clean brochure (PDF)

ZAXX9164 PVDF tape data sheet (associated consumable)

PSA tape, PVDF film on high-performance adhesive, 25.4 mm x 54.8 m, for joints and connections on T-FIT® Clean

Technical adhesive tape dedicated to T-FIT® Clean installations. 0.003-inch (76 µm) PVDF film on a 0.003-inch high-performance white adhesive layer, on a polymer liner. Total thickness 0.011 inch (280 µm). Standard width 1 inch (25.4 mm), length 60 yards (54.8 m), 3-inch plastic core. Specifically designed for the chemical resistance and fire behaviour of the T-FIT® range. PVDF film compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.2510, 177.2600 and 177.1520.

What it is for

ZAXX9164 tape is the mandatory assembly consumable for the T-FIT® Clean range. It closes the longitudinal joints of straight tubes, secures butt joints between lengths, holds moulded elbows and tees in position, and seals the ends of valve or flange boxes. No other tape is validated by the supplier for these joints.

The PVDF film shares the material of the insulation: same polymer family, same fire performance, same behaviour in a cleanroom. The result: the joint does not become the weak link in the system. No Euroclass drift, no additional uncharacterised outgassing, no chemical incompatibility with the insulation’s PVDF.

Application: the tape is PSA, pressure-sensitive. It is activated only by constant pressure applied along the entire length of the wrap. In hot and humid environments, apply immediately after removing the liner to prevent premature drying of the adhesive. On elbows, apply diagonally at the throat, never on the inner fold.

On boxes fabricated from T-FIT® sheet, the tape can be cut to a 12.7 mm width to follow the tight radii of moulded elbows and tee branches.

References

Characteristics

Frequently asked questions

Can another commercial aluminium or vinyl tape be used?

No. The fire performance of the T-FIT® Clean range (Euroclass B-s1,d0, ASTM E84 0/10, FM4910) is characterised with ZAXX9164. Substituting a standard aluminium or vinyl tape invalidates the fire classification of the system and introduces a potential chemical incompatibility with the insulation’s PVDF. The vapour barrier is no longer guaranteed either.

Is an adhesion primer needed?

On straight lengths and straight butt joints, no. On elbows, yes: prepare the joints with ZAXX9525-01 primer before applying the tape diagonally over both butt-joint ends. Never apply tape over the inner seam of an elbow.

How many metres of tape for X metres of insulation?

As a rough guide: for a 920 mm straight length, allow 1 longitudinal joint + 2 butt-joint wraps. Elbows and tees: allow a cut width of 12.7 mm. A practical sizing ratio is to be validated with the supplier according to the actual layout (number of fittings, DN, presence of valve boxes).

Water vapour resistance?

T-FIT® Clean is a closed-cell material with a µ value of 8,750 per ISO 1663:2007. No external vapour barrier is required if the joints and connections are correctly sealed with ZAXX9164 and the associated silicone sealant. The tape is the inseparable complement to the sealant.

Silirub 2/S data sheet 

Silirub 2/S safety data sheet

T-FIT® Clean brochure (PDF)

ZAXX9164 PVDF tape data sheet (associated consumable)

Zotefoams-recommended silicone sealant for longitudinal joints, butt joints and valve boxes on T-FIT® Clean

Single-component silicone sealing bead, applied with a standard sealant gun. Application is mandatory on all joints of the T-FIT® Clean system: longitudinal joints of straight tubes, butt joints between lengths, assembly of elbows and tees, closure of valve and flange boxes. Typical cure time of 6 hours before applying the finishing tape on workshop-fabricated assemblies.

Apply dry, on a clean substrate free of oil and dust.

What it is for

T-FIT® Clean insulation is a closed-cell material with µ = 8,750. The water vapour permeability of the material is excellent. But a 0.1 mm open gap on a longitudinal joint means ambient air entering a cold line. The immediate result: condensation at the stainless steel tube / foam interface, corrosion under insulation, blistering, delamination. T-FIT® silicone sealant closes off this entry point.

Application is systematic, not optional. It applies to longitudinal joints (the cut line that closes the shell around the tube), butt joints (the gap between two successive straight lengths), the assembly of moulded elbows (bonding the two half-shells before closing), and the installation of valve boxes (bonding the half-shells around the component).

One precaution to remember: the sealant seals the insulation to itself, not to the process tube. The insulation must remain free to expand relative to the piping. A bead applied at the edge of the shell is enough; do not flood the tube / foam interface.

Typical cure time of 6 hours at 20°C. Plan to fabricate elbows, tees and boxes in the workshop the day before site work: the cure time is built into the schedule, not taken from installation time on the line.

Characteristics

Frequently asked questions

Can a commercial acetic silicone be used?

No, for two reasons. First, acetic silicones release acetic acid during curing, which is incompatible with cleanroom environments where AMC levels are controlled. Second, the fire classification of the T-FIT® Clean system is characterised with the Zotefoams-recommended sealant. Substituting an uncharacterised sealant invalidates the FM4910 certification and the Euroclass classification of the system.

How long before the fabricated part can be handled?

Typically 6 hours at 20°C. Less in a warm atmosphere, more at low temperature. Do not tape before full cure: tape applied over uncured silicone tears it and leaves a joint that is not sealed.

Can the sealant be applied on a hot or cold line?

No. The line must be brought back to ambient temperature before application. On a cold line, ambient condensation compromises adhesion. On a hot line, the solvent evaporates too quickly and a skin forms before the bead is properly compressed by the closing of the shell. Ambient application temperature: 15°C to 40°C.

Application inside an elbow?

Yes for the sealant, no for the tape. The sealant is applied to the inner and outer edges of the moulded elbow, before closing and during installation around the piping. The finishing tape is applied diagonally over the outer throat of the elbow, never over the inner seam.