Air Barrier Materials, Components, Systems & Assemblies

Air Barrier Materials

Air barrier materials are defined by their air permeance. To be defined as a air barrier material the air permeance must be equal to or less than 0.02L/(s•m²) @ 75Pa (0.004 cfm/ft²  @ 1.57 psf) when tested in accordance with ASTM E2178. Keep in mind that air permeance is the amount of air that migrates through materials and not through holes or gaps.

The ASTM E2178 has provisions to test rigid materials, flexible materials and fluid applied materials. When flexible materials are tested, a screen is used to provide support. When fluid applied materials are tested, CMU is used to provide a rough substrate.

Air barrier materials are tested in the following test apparatus;

Figure 1 – Test Apparatus for Rigid Air Barrier Materials

Figure 2 – Test Apparatus for Flexible Air Barrier Materials

Air barrier materials must be combined with air barrier components to form air barrier assemblies. Then these assemblies need to be connected together to form complete building air barrier systems.

Air Barrier Material Types:

• Self-Adhered Sheet Materials
• Fluid Applied Materials
• Liquid Applied Materials
• Spray Polyurethane Foam
• Mechanically Fastened
• Boardstock Materials
• Film Materials
• Thermofusable Materials

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