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Mitten›Airboard® by Airfoam Industries

Airfoam Airboard® AERO

Airfoam Airboard® AERO is a graphite-enhanced GPS continuous insulation board that combines permanent R-4.7/in insulation with an integral WRB in a single 4 ft × 8 ft panel. The perforated reflective BOPP facers add strength, radiant barrier performance, and vapour permeability. Available in 5/8" to 2-1/8" standard thicknesses. CAN/ULC-S701.1 Type 1 and ASTM C578 Type I certified. Qualifies as NBC Second Plane of Protection when seams are sealed.

5/8" · 1" · 1-1/16" · 1-1/2" · 2" · 2-1/8"
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Profiles

Airfoam Airboard® AERO - Airboard® AERO A100 profile
AERO-A100Airboard® AERO A100

GPS continuous insulation board with integral water-resistive barrier. The graphite-enhanced expanded polystyrene (GPS) core delivers a permanent R-4.7/in at 75°F with zero thermal drift — no blowing agent to escape over time. Both faces are laminated with a 1 mil perforated biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) reflective metallic film that adds strength and flexibility, reduces site breakage, and acts as a radiant heat barrier next to an air space. When all seams, penetrations, and transitions are sealed with approved sheathing tape, AERO eliminates the need for a separate water-resistive barrier, qualifying as Second Plane of Protection per NBC 9.27.3.4. Board dimensions: 4 ft × 8 ft. Available in 5/8" to 6" thicknesses.

Core MaterialGraphite Expanded Polystyrene (GPS) — closed-cell, graphite nanoparticle-enhanced
Facers1 mil (25.4 μm) perforated reflective BOPP metallic film — both sides
R-Value / in (75°F)R-4.7 per actual inch (R-5 per nominal inch) — ASTM C518/C177
R-Value / in (40°F)R-4.9 per actual inch — ASTM C518/C177
Thermal DriftZero — air-based insulation, no blowing agent
Water Vapour @ 1"2.2 perm (126 ng/Pa·s·m²) — Class III semi-permeable · NOT a vapour barrier ≤ 2-1/8" (Canada)
Water Vapour @ 2-1/8"1.2 perm (68 ng/Pa·s·m²) — Class II semi-impermeable · vapour barrier > 2-1/8" (Canada)
Water Resistance> 24 hours @ 300–747 Pa — Modified AATCC 127 Water Column
Water Absorption0.27% by volume (ASTM D2842, 4 days)
Compressive Strength10 psi / 70 kPa minimum @ 10% deformation (ASTM D1621)
Flexural Strength25 psi / 172 kPa minimum, GPS core (ASTM C203)
Density1 lb/ft³ nominal (14.4 kg/m³ minimum) — ASTM D1622
Flame Spread (USA)≤ 25 — Class A (ASTM E84 / UL 723, NFPA 101)
Smoke Developed (USA)≤ 450 — Class A (ASTM E84)
Flame Spread (Canada)≤ 295 (CAN/ULC-S102.2)
Flame RetardantPolymeric (non-HBCD) type
Limiting Oxygen Index≥ 24% (ASTM D2863)
Fire Rating¾ Hour Composite Wall Assembly — CAN/ULC-S101 / ASTM E119 Design CPIA/CWP 45-01
Max Service TempLong-term 74°C (165°F) · Intermittent 79°C (175°F)
Thermal Expansion5–7 × 10⁻⁵/°K (ASTM D696)
Mold/Fungi ResistanceGPS has no nutritional value — no mold/fungi growth per ASTM C1338
No HFCs/CFCs/FormaldehydeSafe, inert — GHS Non-Hazardous
Board Size4 ft × 8 ft (1.22 m × 2.44 m)
Thicknesses5/8" · 1" · 1-1/16" · 1-1/2" · 2" · 2-1/8" (standard) · 5/8"–6" custom
Certification (Canada)CAN/ULC-S701.1 Type 1
Certification (USA)ASTM C578 Type I · ICC-ES AC12 · CCRR-0379
WRB ComplianceNBC 9.27.3.4 Second Plane of Protection when seams sealed · Exceeds CCMC 07102 §6.4.5 · ASTM E2556 Type I
NFPA 285Meets with specific limitations for exterior wall assembly
WarrantyLimited product warranty — see airfoam.com/terms

Specifications

Airboard® AERO — Physical Properties (Technical Data Sheet ABA-100-01)

PropertyValueTest Standard
Thermal Resistance @ 40°F/4°C — per nominal inch/25mmR-5.2 (RSI 0.85 m²·°C/W·25mm)ASTM C518 or C177
Thermal Resistance @ 75°F/24°C — per nominal inch/25mmR-5.0 (RSI 0.815 m²·°C/W·25mm)ASTM C518 or C177
Water Vapour Permeance @ 1" thick2.2 perm (126 ng/Pa·s·m²)ASTM E96 desiccant
Water Vapour Permeance @ 2-1/8" thick1.2 perm (68 ng/Pa·s·m²)ASTM E96 desiccant
Water Resistance @ 5/8" thick / 300 Pa> 24 hoursModified AATCC 127
Water Resistance @ 1" thick / 747 Pa> 24 hoursModified AATCC 127
Water Absorption — USA0.91% by volumeASTM C272, 1 day
Water Absorption — Canada0.27% by volumeASTM D2842, 4 days
Compressive Resistance @ 10% Deformation (min.)10 psi / 70 kPaASTM D1621 Proc. A
Flexural Strength of GPS Core (min.)25 psi / 172 kPaASTM C203 Proc. B
Nominal Density1 lb/ft³ASTM D1622
Minimum Density (USA)14.4 kg/m³ASTM D1622
Flame Spread Index (USA)≤ 25 (Class A) — up to 6" thickASTM E84 / UL 723
Smoke Developed Index (USA)≤ 450 (Class A) — up to 6" thickASTM E84 / UL 723
Flame-Spread Rating (Canada)≤ 295CAN/ULC-S102.2
Smoke Developed (Canada)over 500CAN/ULC-S102.2
Limiting Oxygen Index≥ 24%ASTM D2863
Max Service Temperature — Long-Term74°C (165°F)—
Max Service Temperature — Intermittent79°C (175°F)—
Thermal Expansion Coefficient5–7 × 10⁻⁵/°KASTM D696

R-Value by Thickness (4 ft × 8 ft boards)

ThicknessR-Value @ 75°F (24°C)R-Value @ 40°F (4°C)Bundle Qty / Skid
5/8" (15.9 mm)R-2.94 (RSI 0.517)R-3.1 (RSI 0.539)18
1" (25.4 mm)R-4.7 (RSI 0.830)R-4.9 (RSI 0.863)12
1-1/16" (27.0 mm)R-5.0 (RSI 0.880)R-5.2 (RSI 0.920)10
1-1/2" (38.1 mm)R-7.1 (RSI 1.242)R-7.4 (RSI 1.294)8
2" (50.8 mm)R-9.4 (RSI 1.660)R-9.8 (RSI 1.730)6
2-1/8" (54.0 mm)R-10.0 (RSI 1.760)R-10.4 (RSI 1.834)5

ASTM C518/C177. Custom thicknesses 5/8"–6" available on request. Boards > 2-1/8" are a Class II vapor retarder (USA) / vapour barrier (Canada). Bundles packed up to 12-½" high.

Vapour Permeability Classification

ThicknessPermeanceCanada ClassificationUSA Classification
≤ 2-1/8" (≤ 54 mm)≥ 1.2 perm (≥ 60 ng/Pa·s·m²)NOT a vapour barrierClass III (semi-permeable, 1–10 perm) at 1" · Class II (0.1–1 perm) at 2-1/8"
> 2-1/8" (> 54 mm)< 60 ng/Pa·s·m²Vapour barrierClass II semi-impermeable vapor retarder (0.1–1 perm)

Vapor retarder classifications per ASHRAE 90.1. Canadian vapour barrier threshold per NBC: 60 ng/Pa·s·m².

Compatible Sealing & Accessory Products (Tested per Modified AATCC 127)

CategoryProduct
Sheathing TapeTuck Tape® (Red) by Cantech · Super Stick Building Tape® by Protecto Wrap® · 3M™ 3015 Air and Vapor Barrier Membrane
Self-Adhered FlashingHenry Blueskin® Butyl Flash · Resisto®/Soprema® All-Weather Butyl Flashing Tape
Flexible FlashingDuPont™ FlexWrap™ EZ
Low-Expansion FoamDOW EnerFoam · LePage Tite Foam · Sika Boom® AS · Wind-Lock Foam2Foam
AdhesiveLoctite® PL 300 Foamboard Adhesive (compatible with EPS and BOPP facers)
Cap WashersWind-Lock ULP-302 foam board washers (seal at fastener penetrations)
Brick TiesX-Seal Anchor (Hohmann & Barnard) · Pos-i-Tie (Heckmann) · Slotted Stud Tie (Fero Corp.)

GPS core dissolves in hydrocarbons (fuels, oils, tar), organic solvents (acetone, benzene, paint thinner), ethers, esters, and strong oxidizers. Use only GPS-compatible adhesives, sealants, and spray foam.

Order quantities and lead times may vary. Contact us for availability.

Certifications & Testing Standards

Airfoam Airboard® AERO meets or exceeds the following Canadian and international performance standards.

Test / PropertyStandardResult / Value
CAN/ULC-S701.1 Type 1 — Thermal Insulation, Polystyrene Boards (Canada)
-Certified
ASTM C578 Type I — Rigid Cellular Polystyrene Thermal Insulation (USA)
-Certified
ICC-ES AC12 — Foam Plastic Insulation evaluation criterion
-Certified
CCRR-0379 — Code Compliance Research Report (see airfoam.com/Airfoam-Code-Report-CCRR-0379.pdf)
-Certified
NBC 9.27.3.4 — Second Plane of Protection (WRB) when all seams, penetrations, and transitions are sealed
-Certified
CCMC 07102
-§6.4.5 — WRB bulk water resistance exceeded (Modified AATCC 127)
ASTM E2556 Type I — WRB water resistance standard exceeded
-Certified
ASTM E84 / UL 723 / NFPA 101 — Class A surface burning (Flame Spread ≤ 25 / Smoke Developed ≤ 450) up to 6" thick
-Certified
CAN/ULC-S102.2 — Surface Burning (Flame-Spread ≤ 295) (Canada)
-Certified
CAN/ULC-S101 / ASTM E119 — ¾ Hour Fire Rating, Composite Wall Assembly Design CPIA/CWP 45-01
-Certified
NFPA 285 — Compliant (with specific limitations) for exterior wall assembly fire propagation
-Certified
ASTM C1338 — Mold and fungi resistant (GPS has no nutritional value for organisms)
-Certified
GHS — Non-Hazardous · No HFCs, CFCs, HCFCs, nor formaldehyde · Polymeric (non-HBCD) flame retardant
-Certified
Third-party certified quality assurance · Manufactured by Airfoam Industries Ltd. — Surrey BC & Paris ON · Distributed by Mitten / Cornerstone Building Brands
-Certified

Installation Guide

  1. TIMING & ORIENTATION — Install Airboard® AERO after roof sheathing and step flashings are in place, and before windows and doors. Orient boards vertically for WRB applications and tall walls; horizontal orientation is also acceptable. Install with the printed side facing outward.

  2. FASTENING — Use wood screws or ring-shank nails with minimum 1" cap washers (e.g. Wind-Lock ULP-302). Minimum embedment: 3/4" into wood studs for screws, 1" for nails; at least 1/4" penetration through structural sheathing. Space fasteners minimum 3" from board edges and 6" from jambs/sills/thresholds, 9" from window/door heads. Maximum spacing without rainscreen strapping: 16" [406mm] at board edges, 24" [610mm] at center field. For metal stud applications use self-tapping screws with minimum 1" cap washers.

  3. SEAMING FOR WRB — Apply approved sheathing tape (minimum 2-3/8" / 60mm wide) centered across all butt joints and seams using a J-roller for firm adhesion. Install shingle-fashion from the bottom up so upper course laps over lower. Seal all penetrations, cuts, tears, and transitions to structure with tape or compatible sealant. Approved tapes: Tuck Tape® (Red) by Cantech, Super Stick Building Tape® by Protecto Wrap®, 3M™ 3015. Apply tape between 15°F and 120°F [-9°C to 49°C].

  4. GAPS & PENETRATIONS — Fill any gaps between boards, around utility penetrations, or at structure transitions with low-expansion polyurethane foam (DOW EnerFoam, LePage Tite Foam, or equivalent). Do not use high-expansion foam. Back-fill with backer rod as needed before applying foam in wide gaps.

  5. RAINSCREEN STRAPPING — For all cladding types, install 3/4" furring strips over AERO to create a ventilated air space before applying exterior cladding. Drive rainscreen strapping screws at an upward angle of approximately 15° into studs for increased pull-out resistance (note: 15–17° angle requires ~5% longer screws to achieve the same embedment depth).

  6. FLASHING AT OPENINGS — At window and door rough openings, use self-adhered butyl flashing (Henry Blueskin® Butyl Flash or Resisto® All-Weather Butyl Flashing Tape) integrated with the AERO board and sheathing tape to form a continuous weather seal. Use DuPont™ FlexWrap™ EZ at sills and curved transitions.

  7. UV EXPOSURE — Cover Airboard® AERO with exterior cladding or rainscreen strapping within 30 days of installation. Prolonged UV exposure degrades the BOPP facers and GPS core. Temporary UV protection is required on extended schedules.

  8. CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY — Keep the GPS core away from hydrocarbons (fuels, oils, tar), organic solvents (acetone, benzene, paint thinner), ethers, esters, aldehydes, amines, strong oxidizers, concrete release agents, and asphaltic sealant compounds — all of which dissolve GPS. Use only GPS-compatible adhesives such as Loctite® PL 300 Foamboard Adhesive. GPS is combustible — keep away from open flames, sparks, and excessive heat sources. A thermal barrier is required as specified by applicable building code.

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