Reducing heat flow within a building’s thermal envelope reduces energy consumption as well as potential condensation issues. Armatherm™ 500 thermal break material (TIM) significantly reduces energy lost from thermal bridging in building envelope connections. Armatherm™ 500 structural thermal break material is a high strength, thermoset polyurethane manufactured in several densities. Armatherm™ 500, made in the USA, is able to transfer a wide range of structural loads with a range from 20 psi – 4000 psi. Armatherm™ 500 has R values as high as 3.8 per inch which is superior to the properties of aerated concrete and wood blocking.The Armatherm™ 500 thermal insulation blocks do not absorb water due to its closed cell structure, and has very limited creep under load. This helps reduce energy lost via thermal bridging pathways within building envelope connections, reducing heat flow, energy consumption and potentially dangerous condensation issues. The standard thicknesses Armatherm™ 500 is available in are 2”, 1” and 1/2”, but the high strength, polyurethane material sheets can easily be layered to achieve the desired U value and thickness specifications. It is very versatile and can be used anywhere that features a penetration or transition exit through a building envelope where a thermal bridge occurs and can be cut and drilled on site easily, if required. The most common specifications include Armatherm™500 150 and Armatherm ™500 200. Although it is often specified to prevent thermal bridging in buildings to reduce heat loss, Armatherm™500 is ideal for cold storage facilities to prevent the subgrade from freezing. It can sit directly under the column base to help prevent the transfer of cold temperatures into the ground, making it the perfect solution for frozen food storage.