Trade Select ThermalBreak 7
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ThermalBreak 7 is a foil faced XPE foam sarking made for one specific job: the thermal break the NCC asks for where cladding fixes straight onto steel framing. Material R-value is 0.21 m²K/W, and 0.20 once it is compressed.
Why the compressed figure is the one that counts
A thermal break gets squashed the moment the cladding screws go through it. A product that only holds its rating uncompressed is not doing the job on site. This one still holds R0.20 compressed, which is exactly what the code asks for at those junctions. Thermal breaks explained covers where the requirement applies and why such a small number matters at all.
What it does beyond the thermal break
It is also a Class 2 vapour barrier, a water barrier to AS/NZS 4201.4 and an air barrier, classified Extra Heavy duty to AS/NZS 4200.1:2017. Fire is Group 1 to AS 5637.1 with a Low flammability classification, and it is suitable for all Bushfire Attack Levels. Get independent advice before locking a sarking into a BAL design.
System values
An independent engineer calculated total system R-values to AS/NZS 4859.2:2018 for typical mainland capital city conditions under NCC 2019: RT 0.92 in winter and 2.02 in summer for a warehouse roof with no ceiling, and RT 2.07 winter and 2.03 summer in a double brick wall. Those figures were calculated against NCC 2019 and may not carry across to other editions of the code, so check before relying on them for a current submission.
Roll and fitting
One roll size: 1350 mm by 22.25 m plus a 150 mm flap, covering 30 m², over a 7.8 mm foam core. Fix it over the steel frame before the cladding goes on so it sits between frame and sheet and breaks the conduction path, and lap the runs onto the flap rather than butting them. Do not stretch it drum tight over the studs, because the compressed R0.20 figure assumes there is still foam there to compress. The foil conducts electricity, so keep it clear of wiring.
Full figures are in the table below.
Technical data
Ametalin technical data sheet (PDF)Sizes stocked
| Code | Roll size | Area per roll | Foam core |
|---|---|---|---|
| TB7-30 | 1350 mm x 22.25 m plus 150 mm flap | 30 m² | 7.8 mm |
Thermal
| Material R-value | 0.21 m²K/W (ASTM C518) |
|---|---|
| Compressed material R-value | 0.20 m²K/W |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.0376 W/m·K |
| Thermal conductance | 4.7 W/m²K |
| Emittance | 0.05 anti-glare side, 0.03 foil side, IR reflective, category RR |
The compressed figure is the one that counts. It still holds R0.20 once it is squashed under the cladding fixings, which is exactly what the NCC asks for as a thermal break in steel framed construction.
Total system R-value
| Warehouse roof, no ceiling, winter | RT 0.92 |
|---|---|
| Warehouse roof, no ceiling, summer | RT 2.02 |
| Double brick wall, winter | RT 2.07 |
| Double brick wall, summer | RT 2.03 |
Calculated by an independent engineer to AS/NZS 4859.2:2018 for typical mainland Australian capital city conditions under NCC 2019. Values may not carry across to other editions of the code.
Moisture and air control
| Vapour control | Class 2 vapour barrier (ASTM E96) |
|---|---|
| Vapour permeance | 0.0113 µg/N·s |
| Water control | Water barrier (AS/NZS 4201.4) |
| Air control | Air barrier |
Fire
| Group number | Group 1 (AS 5637.1) |
|---|---|
| Flammability classification | Low (AS 1530.2) |
| Bushfire areas | Suitable for all Bushfire Attack Levels |
Get independent advice on sarking selection before locking it into a BAL design.
Classification and strength
| Duty | Extra Heavy (AS/NZS 4200.1:2017) |
|---|---|
| Electrical conductivity | Conductive |
| Tensile strength, machine direction | 14.6 kN/m (minimum 9.5) |
| Tensile strength, lateral direction | 13.6 kN/m (minimum 6.0) |
| Edge tear, machine direction | 384 N (minimum 65) |
| Edge tear, lateral direction | 293 N (minimum 65) |
| Dry and wet delamination | Pass (AS/NZS 4201.1 and 4201.2) |
Build-up
| Core | 7.8 mm chemically cross-linked closed cell XPE foam |
|---|---|
| Face 1 | Aluminium foil with anti-glare coating, emissivity 0.03 |
| Face 2 | Polymer weave, emissivity 0.05 |
Fitting notes
Fixed over the steel frame before the cladding goes on, so it sits between the frame and the sheet and breaks the conduction path. Lap the runs onto the 150 mm flap rather than butting them. It also works on timber frame and on commercial steel frame. Do not stretch it drum tight over the studs, because the compressed R0.20 figure assumes the foam is still there to compress. The foil conducts electricity, so keep it clear of wiring.
Figures are taken from the Ametalin technical data sheet for ThermalBreak, document APM-45758-2, product code TB7. The full manufacturer document is linked above. Ametalin can change specifications without notice, so check the current sheet before specifying on a job.
Common questions
What sizes are stocked and how much does each one cover?
It is stocked in one option, TB7-30. The table above lists the coverage or quantity you get.
What thermal performance does it have?
Material R-value: 0.21 m²K/W (ASTM C518). Compressed material R-value: 0.20 m²K/W. Thermal conductivity: 0.0376 W/m·K. Thermal conductance: 4.7 W/m²K. Emittance: 0.05 anti-glare side, 0.03 foil side, IR reflective, category RR. Electrical conductivity: Conductive.
Can it be used in a bushfire area?
Bushfire areas: Suitable for all Bushfire Attack Levels.
How does it handle moisture?
Vapour control: Class 2 vapour barrier (ASTM E96). Vapour permeance: 0.0113 µg/N·s. Water control: Water barrier (AS/NZS 4201.4). Dry and wet delamination: Pass (AS/NZS 4201.1 and 4201.2).
Does it meet Australian standards?
Flammability classification: Low (AS 1530.2).
How is it installed?
Fixed over the steel frame before the cladding goes on, so it sits between the frame and the sheet and breaks the conduction path. Lap the runs onto the 150 mm flap rather than butting them. It also works on timber frame and on commercial steel frame. Do not stretch it drum tight over the studs, because the compressed R0.20 figure assumes the foam is still there to compress. The foil conducts electricity, so keep it clear of wiring.
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Figures are taken from the Ametalin technical data sheet for ThermalBreak, document APM-45758-2, product code TB7. The full manufacturer document is linked above. Ametalin can change specifications without notice, so check the current sheet before specifying on a job.