Sealant Longevity for Residential Ducts

Walker, Iain S.; Sherman, Max H.

doi:10.1520/stp12565s

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The current study is a continuation of ongoing research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Walker and Sherman 2000;Sherman and Walker, 1998) that has the following objectives and outcomes:…”

Section: Table Of Contents Executive Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Duct Tape Durability Testing

Sherman¹,

Walker²

2004

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Section: Table Of Contents Executive Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Duct Tape Durability Testing

Sherman¹,

Walker²

2004

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“…Examples of durability concerns include not using cloth duct tape (due to thermal degradation, see Walker and Sherman 2003), and avoiding moisture problems. This retrofit case study addressed the durability issue by having better equipment sizing for better humidity control, more ventilation (by adding an economizer) for better indoor IAQ and humidity control, and use of good duct sealants to prevent entry of humid outdoor air.…”

Section: Durabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Case study field evaluation of a systems approach to retrofitting a residential HVAC system

Walker¹,

McWiliams²,

Konopacki³

2003

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This case study focusing on a residence in northern California was undertaken as a demonstration of the potential of a systems approach to HVAC retrofits. The systems approach means that other retrofits that can affect the HVAC system are also considered. For example, added building envelope insulation reduces building loads so that smaller capacity HVAC system can be used. Secondly, we wanted to examine the practical issues and interactions with contractors and code officials required to accomplish the systems approach because it represents a departure from current practice. We identified problems in the processes of communication and installation of the retrofit that led to compromises in the final energy efficiency of the HVAC system. These issues must be overcome in order for HVAC retrofits to deliver the increased performance that they promise. The experience gained in this case study was used to optimize best practices guidelines for contractors (Walker 2003) that include building diagnostics and checklists as tools to assist in ensuring the energy efficiency of "house as a system" HVAC retrofits. The best practices guidelines proved to be an excellent tool for evaluating the eight existing homes in this study, and we received positive feedback from many potential users who reviewed and used them. In addition, we were able to substantially improve the energy efficiency of the retrofitted case study house by adding envelope insulation, a more efficient furnace and air conditioner, an economizer and by reducing duct leakage. DRAFT -DO NOT QUOTE

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“…Previously, in Walker et al (1998a and1998b), Walker and Sherman (2000), and Sherman et al (2000), the aging tests concentrated on the 4" (100 mm) collar-to-plenum joint. Because UL 181B-FX products are the focus of this study, the test joint was changed to the flex duct to collar connection that the UL testing concentrates on.…”

Section: Aging Test Experimental Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longevity of duct tape in residential air distribution systems: 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D joints

Abushakra¹

2002

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Executive SummaryThis report summarizes the results of two high temperature longevity tests conducted by the Energy Performance of Building Group (EPB). The first test involved the aging of common "core-to-collar joints" of flexible duct to sheet metal collars, and sheet metal "collar-to-plenum joints" exposed to continuous 200°F (93°C) circulating air. The second test consisted of baking duct tape specimens in a constant 212°F (100°C) oven following the UL 181B-FX "Temperature Test" (Underwriters Laboratory 1995) requirements. The longevity of the sheet metal collar-to-plenum joints was tested based on the 10% of unsealed joint leakage criteria (established in previous work and 1999). Since an unsealed flexible duct joint can have a variable leakage depending on the positioning of the flexible duct core, the longevity of the flexible duct joints could not be based on the 10% of unsealed leakage criteria. Nevertheless, the leakage of the sealed specimens prior to testing, could be considered as a basis for a failure criteria. Visual inspection was also documented throughout the tests durations. The flexible duct core-to-collar joints were inspected monthly, while the sheet metal collar-to-plenum joints were inspected weekly. The baking test specimens were visually inspected weekly, and the longevity was judged by the observed deterioration in terms of brittleness, cracking, flaking and blistering (the terminology used in the UL 181B-FX test procedure). The baking specimens were ranked in terms of these deterioration criteria. The deterioration in the flexible duct coreto-collar joints was also ranked following the same criteria. This study concluded that the duct tape performance in sealing joints depends on the joint's geometrical dimensions; it gets worse as the number of dimensions required to describe the joint increases (1-D to 3-D). 1-D joints are the easiest to seal with duct tape, and thus the least to experience failure. However, this type of joints is rarely seen in field installations. 2-D joints, such as the flexible duct core-to-collar joints tested in this study, are less likely to fail than 3-D joints, as the shrinkage could have a positive effect in tightening the seal. 3-D joints, such as the collar-to-plenum joint, are the toughest to seal, and therefore failure most rapidly. This is essentially caused by the shrinkage of the duct tape backing that results in the peeling of its rubber-based adhesive off the sheet metal fixture. The baking test results showed that the failure in the duct tape joints could be attributed to the type of combination of the duct tape and the material it is applied to.

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Sealant Longevity for Residential Ducts

Cited by 3 publications

References 3 publications

Duct Tape Durability Testing

Duct Tape Durability Testing

Case study field evaluation of a systems approach to retrofitting a residential HVAC system

Longevity of duct tape in residential air distribution systems: 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D joints

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