Armatherm™ Grade FRR Balcony Connection

Structural thermal break for steel canopies and balcony connections, which provides a combination of low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength. Can be used in structural steel framing connections for transferring load in moment and shear conditions without creating significant rotation. Armatherm™ FRR has been structurally tested for creep, rotation and any impact on bolt force. While minimizing heat flow, the structural performance of these connections must remain.

They can support up to 275 N/mm² and have a thermal resistance (R-value) of 0.9 m²K/W per inch (25 mm), which can be reduced by as much as 60%. The material is made of a reinforced, thermoset resin which is fire resistant and has very limited creep under load, making it suitable for use in structural steel and facade thermal breaks.

The most common interface details for structural framing are canopies and balconies that use cantilevered steel or aluminium elements. These elements are typically connected to slab edges or spandrel beams on the interior side of the thermal envelope, passing through insulation and air barrier layers. Using a thermal break at these connections will improve the thermal transmittance (U-value) of a wall assembly which includes this type of point transmittance (heat flow) by as much as 70%.

Performance (scenarios):

- Continuous beam:

• Exterior insulation 1D R-value: R-15 (2.64 m²K/W).

• Clear wall R-value: R-18.5 (3.25 m²K/W).

• U-value: 0.054 (0.31 W/m²K).

• R-value (effective with slab and beam): R-6.9 (1.21 m²K/W).

• U-value (effective with slab and beam): 0.145 (0.83 W/m²K).

• Point transmittance of beam: 1.73 (0.92 W/K).

- 25 mm Armatherm FRR using steel bolts:

• Exterior insulation 1D R-value: R-15 (2.64 m²K/W).

• Clear wall R-value: R-18.5 (3.25 m²K/W).

• U-value: 0.054 (0.31 W/m²K).

• R-value (effective with slab and beam): R-7.3 (1.28 m²K/W).

• U-value (effective with slab and beam): 0.138 (0.78 W/m²K).

• Point transmittance of beam: 1.56 (0.83 W/mK).

• Reduction in heat loss: 10%.

- 25 mm Armatherm FRR using stainless steel bolts:

• Exterior insulation 1D R-value: R-15 (2.64 m²K/W).

• Clear wall R-value: R-18.5 (3.25 m²K/W).

• U-value: 0.054 (0.31 W/m²K).

• R-value (effective with slab and beam): R-8.4 (1.48 m²K/W).

• U-value (effective with slab and beam): 0.119 (0.68 W/m²K).

• Point transmittance of beam: 1.16 (0.62 W/mK).

• Reduction in heat loss: 33%.

- 25 mm Armatherm FRR using stainless steel bolts and FRR washers and bushings:

• Exterior insulation 1D R-value: R-15 (2.64 m²K/W).

• Clear wall R-value: R-18.5 (3.25 m²K/W).

• U-value: 0.054 (0.31 W/m²K).

• R-value (effective with slab and beam): R-9.2 (1.61 m²K/W).

• U-value (effective with slab and beam): 0.109 (0.62 W/m²K).

• Point transmittance of beam: 0.95 (0.50 W/mK).

• Reduction in heat loss: 45%.

- 50 mm Armatherm FRR using stainless steel bolts and FRR washers and bushings:

• Exterior insulation 1D R-value: R-15 (2.64 m²K/W).

• Clear wall R-value: R-18.5 (3.25 m²K/W).

• U-value: 0.054 (0.31 W/m²K).

• R-value (effective with slab and beam): R-10.2 (1.79 m²K/W).

• U-value (effective with slab and beam): 0.098 (0.56 W/m²K).

• Point transmittance of beam: 0.72 (0.38 W/mK).

• Reduction in heat loss: 58%.