The dangers of wet insulation
‘Corrosion under wet insulation’ published by Pittsburgh Corning explains that any insulation that is permeable acts like a wet blanket around a pipe if it is in contact with water and oxygen. Corrosion will thus form under the insulation, aided by acids and chloride in the insulation itself. Some estimates state that corrosion costs in the UK exceed £25 billion a year — 3.5% of GNP. Using the correct products and technology can probably save about a third of these losses. Pittsburgh Corning’s Foamglas insulation is impermeable to moisture and resists the development of corrosion by minimising water intrusion and retention. It also does not contribute to the corrosion of carbon or stainless steels and becomes an integral part of a corrosion protection barrier.
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