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June 2011: Product Solution | Case Study | Technical Story
New Vapor-Permeable Air Barrier Sets Unprecedented Standard for Heat and UV Resistance, Life Safety
New ExoAir® 230 Fluid-Applied Vapor-Permeable Air Barrier Membrane has gone through unprecedented testing to set new industry standards for building envelope protection and life safety. A monolithic, synthetic membrane, ExoAir 230 is formulated - and tested - to:
In today's construction environment, rainscreen systems with open joints are often incorporated in the design, exposing air barrier membranes to ultraviolet rays. The construction process itself may leave membranes exposed for prolonged periods. Prolonged UV exposure can cause premature deterioration, impacting the effectiveness of traditional air barriers.
While there is no standard industry test for UV resistance, Tremco subjected ExoAir 230 to twice the number of cycles for accelerated exposure in the QUV-B weatherometer of other leading air barrier manufacturers. ExoAir 230 passed more than 165 cycles of exposure to UV and water spray, survived more than two years of complete exposure to "real world Cleveland" weathering as well as more than two years of exposure to extreme temperature and humidity conditions, all without any visible signs of material degradation.
When metal panels are used in the design of the project, temperatures can reach in excess of 180° behind them - beyond the limits of traditional air barriers. To ensure the ability to withstand the extreme temperatures, which may be encountered in some of today's designs and environments, Tremco pushed the limits in formulation and testing to provide proof of documented performance... and eliminate the risk associated with designs incorporating materials such as metal panels.
Another issue of critical importance in today's built environment is life safety. ASTM E84 testing of the air barrier membrane itself for ratings as to flame spread and smoke development was not enough when testing ExoAir 230. Since it is always used in conjunction with sealants and other connection materials, Tremco also did testing of other components used with it, including Spectrem® 1 Silicone Sealant, Tremflex® 834 Acrylic Sealant and Proglaze® ETA Connections to provide greater assurance of protection.
Beyond providing a whole new level of flexibility and assurances for the design community, ExoAir 230 may be used as a liquid-applied window flashing for superior protection and continuity of the air barrier system. The complexity of the connection is simplified while adding protection.
Contact your Tremco sales representative to learn more about ExoAir 230 and air barrier systems designed to perform.
