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DEMORE / Building Materials / Technical Dossier
Product Dossier · No. BM-01

Cross-Linked PE Foam Pipe Insulation

A KS-certified, chemically cross-linked polyethylene (XPE) insulation system for piping and ductwork — engineered and manufactured in Korea by one of the country's top-three XPE insulation makers, and sourced for global buyers through DEMORE.

0.036W/m·K
Thermal conductivity
90°C
Max service temp
HF-1
Flame rating (KS M ISO 9772)
~90%
Elastic recovery
01 · Overview

Two decades of Korean insulation engineering, in one product line.

This pipe insulation is produced by a manufacturer that ranks among Korea's top three makers of cross-linked polyethylene (XPE) insulation, operating from a dedicated plant in Jeolla Province, South Korea. The company has specialized in cross-linked PE foam since 2005 — roughly twenty years of production experience concentrated on this single material family.

The line has held Korean Industrial Standards (KS) product certification since 2007 and is manufactured under an ISO 9001:2015 quality system. Its insulation is installed today across piping and duct lines in apartment towers, infrastructure and plant projects built by Korea's leading tier-1 construction groups and public housing programs.

For buyers, that history matters for one practical reason: the product can be specified against any piping condition — hot or cold, exposed or buried, straight runs or complex valve clusters — with format, wall thickness, and facing matched to the job.

Cross-linked PE foam pipe insulation tubes with foil facing, stacked
Pre-formed XPE pipe covers — plain and foil-faced
02 · The Material

What cross-linking changes.

Ordinary PE foam is held together physically. Cross-linked PE foam (XPE) is bonded chemically — the polymer chains are linked into a three-dimensional network during foaming. The result is a fine, uniform closed-cell structure with smooth skinned surfaces on both faces: lighter, springier, and far more durable than non-cross-linked foam.

P·01

Thermal performance

Millions of independent closed cells block conductive and convective heat flow. Measured thermal conductivity of 0.036 W/m·K keeps hot lines hot, cold lines cold, and energy bills down.

P·02

Moisture immunity

The closed-cell structure absorbs essentially no water — 0.007 g/100cm² in accredited testing. Wet insulation loses its value entirely; XPE never gets the chance to soak.

P·03

Condensation control

Very low water absorption plus stable surface temperature means cold-water lines stay dry — protecting pipes from corrosion and buildings from moisture damage.

P·04

Chemical durability

Made from pure polyethylene polymer, the foam resists chemicals and does not deform on contact — a semi-permanent material even in harsh plant environments.

P·05

Acoustic damping

The fine uniform cell structure absorbs impact energy and dampens noise transmission along pipe runs better than conventional insulation.

P·06

Workability

Light to carry, easy to cut, flexible around elbows and valves, and standardized in dimensions — installs fast and finishes clean, with no fiber dust to handle.

03 · Performance Data

Measured, not claimed.

Figures below are from accredited third-party laboratory testing (2025) of the P2 flame-retardant grade, set against the requirements of the Korean Industrial Standard KS M 3862:2024 for cross-linked polyethylene thermal insulation.

PropertyMeasured resultKS M 3862 (P2) requirementMethod
Thermal conductivity (23°C)0.036 W/m·K≤ 0.043 W/m·KKS M 3862 heat-flow meter
Tensile strength25.2 N/cm²≥ 16.0 N/cm²KS M 3862 : 2024
Water absorption0.007 g/100cm²≤ 0.1 g/100cm²KS M 3862 : 2024
Apparent density26.3 kg/m³—KS M ISO 845 : 2012
Thickness shrinkage (90±2°C)Within limit≤ 7%KS M 3862 : 2024
Max service temperature90°CP2 classAll non-steam piping

Test reports available on request through DEMORE. Values shown are from the manufacturer's 2025 accredited test reports.

Elastic recovery — the longevity test

Insulation gets compressed — during transport, installation, and years of service. Foam that stays compressed loses insulating thickness. XPE recovers about 90% of its shape, roughly double the recovery of alternatives.

Cross-linked PE foam (this product)~90%
Urethane foam49–64%
Expanded polystyrene (EPS)0–50%

One year outdoors — weathering comparison

After 12 monthsXPE (this product)Urethane foamEPS
DiscolorationNoneTurned dark brownNone
ShapeUnchangedWeathered, sheddingWeathered, shedding
SurfaceUnchangedHardened, erodedEroded, uneven
ShrinkageAlmost noneShrinkageUnmeasurable (shedding)
04 · Fire Safety

Flame-retardant grades, independently verified.

The flame-retardant P2 grade carries the HF-1 classification under KS M ISO 9772 — the highest horizontal-burning class for cellular plastics — with results verified by independent Korean testing bodies in 2025.

Horizontal burning · KS M ISO 9772

HF-1 classification

Afterflame time 0.0 seconds across all five specimens; no specimen burned to the holding clamp; no flaming drips igniting cotton.

Flame resistance · KS F 2271 / NFA criteria

Char within limits

Afterflame 0.0 s (limit 5 s), afterglow 0.0 s (limit 20 s), char area ~27 cm² (limit 40), char length ~9 cm (limit 20).

Gas toxicity · KS F 2271

Passed — mice test

Average incapacitation time above 14 minutes on all specimens (requirement: 9 minutes or more), confirming low-toxicity combustion behavior.

Fire performance applies to designated flame-retardant grades. Match grade to your local code — DEMORE will confirm the correct specification for your market.

05 · Product Range

One material, every format the job needs.

F·01

Pre-formed pipe covers (tubes)

Seamless tubular sections in 2 m lengths, sized for steel pipe 15A–200A and matching copper/PB diameters, wall thickness 5–50 mm. Plain, foil-faced, and flame-retardant color versions; slit-and-clip type available for retrofit over existing lines.

F·02

Sheets & rolls

Continuous roll-form XPE sheet, 5–50 mm thick, produced with smooth skinned faces. Variants: plain flame-retardant, aluminum-foil-faced, and self-adhesive backed — for tanks, ducts, and large flat or curved surfaces.

F·03

Insulation boards

Semi-rigid high-expansion boards certified to KS M 3862 (Type P1 to 70°C, Type P2 cross-linked to 90°C). Excellent cutting, bending, and adhesion behavior — suited to square and round duct fabrication.

F·04

Finishing system

Matching finishing tapes and aluminum bands complete the installation with a sealed, clean, weather-resistant surface — one supplier for the full insulated line.

Gray XPE foam pipe insulation tubes in graduated diameters
Plain XPE pipe covers — graduated diameters
Foil-faced XPE pipe insulation covers
Foil-faced covers for exposed and outdoor runs
06 · Size Chart

Pipe cover dimensions & packing.

Standard pipe covers are supplied in 2 m lengths (1 EA = 2 m). The table below shows inner diameters against pipe standards, with bundle quantities per wall thickness. Non-standard diameters and thicknesses are produced on request.

ID (mm)Steel pipeCopper / PB5T10T15T20T25T30T40T50T
16—15A4002001007550403025
2215A20A3001501007550403025
2820A25A2501251007550403025
3425A32A200100755050402520
4332A40A15075605040352515
5040A50A10075504035302015
6150A60A7550404030252010
7765A75A5040303025201510
9080A80A40252520201510—
115100A100A2520151510108—
140125A125A15151510107——
166150A150A15101010107——
217200A200A101010 (slit)8 (slit)54——

Figures = pieces per bundle at each wall thickness (T = mm). Representative rows shown; the full dimension sheet — including intermediate diameters — is available through DEMORE on request.

07 · Applications

Every line except steam.

A·01

Water supply & hot water

Insulation and freeze protection for domestic hot and cold water lines.

A·02

Central heating

Heat retention on central and district heating distribution piping.

A·03

Buried piping

Moisture-immune closed cells make it suitable for underground runs.

A·04

Hot-spring lines

Long-run heat retention for hot-spring and spa water transport.

A·05

HVAC & ductwork

Sheet and board formats wrap square and round ducts — buildings, plants, and rail cars.

A·06

Fire-service piping

Freeze protection for sprinkler and hydrant lines, in flame-retardant grades.

A·07

Condensation control

Chilled-water and refrigerant lines stay dry — no dripping, no corrosion.

A·08

Industrial & packaging

The same foam serves as cushioning, void fill, and buoyancy material.

08 · Quality & Certifications

Certified at the product, the plant, and the material.

Product standard

KS M 3862 certified

Korean Industrial Standards product certification for PE foam thermal insulation, held continuously since 2007.

Quality system

ISO 9001 : 2015

Plant-wide quality management system certified since 2011, covering the full production of PE foam insulation.

Environment

Korea Eco-Label

National environmental label for insulation (resource circulation, energy saving, reduced hazardous substances), valid 2025–2028.

Green building

Eco building material — top grade

Certified to the Korean green building material group standard at the highest grade for low emissions.

Fire

HF-1 flame rating

Flame-retardant grades classified HF-1 under KS M ISO 9772, with 2025 third-party test reports.

IP & process

Patented processes

Registered patents in molded mat products and heat-reflective insulation; in-house compounding → blending → extrusion → cross-linking line.

Reference installations, 2024: piping and duct lines across dozens of apartment, infrastructure, and plant projects for Korea's leading tier-1 construction groups and the national public housing authority. Project references can be shared with serious buyers on request.

09 · Sourcing through DEMORE

One contact from spec sheet to shipped container.

DEMORE is the export sourcing partner for this line. You deal with one English-speaking contact who handles specification, sampling, quotation, production follow-up, and shipping coordination directly with the plant. Prices are quoted per inquiry — tell us your pipe schedule, required thicknesses, facing, and destination port, and we reply within one business day with pricing, minimums, and lead times.

10 · FAQ

Buyer questions, answered.

What temperature range does it cover?

Flame-retardant P2 grade serves continuously up to 90°C — suitable for every building line except steam. For cold service, the closed-cell structure prevents condensation on chilled-water and refrigerant lines.

Can you match non-standard pipe diameters or thicknesses?

Yes. Standard tooling covers steel 15A–200A with walls 5–50 mm; non-standard inner diameters, wall thicknesses, and lengths are produced to order. Send your pipe schedule and we will confirm feasibility.

Which facings are available?

Plain (skinned foam), aluminum-foil-faced for exposed or outdoor runs, self-adhesive backed sheet, and colored flame-retardant covers. Foil and finishing tape/band accessories ship from the same plant.

Is documentation available for import approval?

Yes — KS certification, ISO 9001, eco-label certificates, and 2025 third-party test reports (thermal, mechanical, flame, gas toxicity) are available through DEMORE for your regulatory file.

Why not just use EPS or urethane pipe sections?

Both lose performance with time: urethane discolors, hardens, and erodes outdoors within a year, EPS weathers and sheds, and both recover only 0–64% after compression. XPE showed no visible degradation in the same 12-month outdoor comparison and recovers about 90% of its thickness.

How do I get pricing?

Prices are not published — they depend on diameter mix, thickness, facing, volume, and destination. Send an inquiry with your requirements and DEMORE typically replies within one business day with pricing, MOQs, and lead times.

Start the conversation

Send your pipe schedule. We'll spec the rest.

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