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Popular Science, June 1992:
Radiant-Barrier Paint

Hung in attics, metal foils and metallized plastic films reduce radiant heat flow into or out of a home, saving energy. Now there’s a silver-colored paint that does almost as good a job.

LO/MIT-I, a silicone-based paint that reflects heat, was used in the National Association of Home Builders Research Center’s Lifestyle 2000 demonstration house [HNF,” March; “Concrete Blocks Grow Up,” June ’91]. “The paint is 80 percent as efficient as standard foil barriers…
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Popular Science, January 1993:
The House That Junk Built

You would never know by looking at them, but the building materials in this seemingly ordinary new house already are in their second incarnation: They have been newspapers, old cars, sawdust, soft-drink bottles, polystyrene packing peanuts – even used computers.

But at the Resource Conservation House, conceived by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, it is not only “garbage in”. There is almost no garbage out. Unlike most building sites, where nearly all waste is sent to a landfill, an estimated 90 percent of the scrap materials from this Upper Marlboro, Md., house were either recycled or reused on-site. Designed to conserve energy, the house uses solar power as well…
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PaintPRO Archives Vol. 6, No. 5, September/October 2004:
Radiant Barrier Coatings

With miles and miles of unpainted attics throughout the country, radiant barrier coatings can be a hot commodity for painting contractors seeking ways to expand their business.

On a sunny summer day, most people’s attics are unbearably hot. It’s estimated that about a third of the unwanted heat that builds up in a home enters through the roof. Conventional thermal insulation can slow down radiant heat transfer, but it will not stop it. The sun beats down on the rooftop, which absorbs the solar energy and heats the roof sheathing, causing the underside of the sheathing and roof to radiate heat downward toward the attic floor. The hot attic also conducts heat to the rest of the house below, making the air conditioner work harder and the electric bill climb higher…
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Metal Architecture:
Using Interior Radiation Control Coating Systems to Insulate Metal Buildings

The green revolution finds the metal building professional (architect, engineer or erector) constantly bombarded with sales literature and technical articles concerning improved methods for insulating structures. Probably the most bewildering are the many paint products that claim to have insulating qualities. ASTM and RIMA (Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association) have tried to clarify the many claims made by some of these products by setting standards for, and classifying these products as interior radiation control coatings if they meet the criteria of ASTM C1321-04…
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RSI Magazine, March 1992:
Spray-applied Radiant Barriers

Keeping a building cool through the use of a reflective insulation or a radiant barrier system under the roof has been shown to be an effective method for reducing interior temperatures and for lowering air conditioning loads. Now this same technology can be employed on rooftops using recently developed spray-applied radiant barriers.

Radiant barriers, when applied to the inside of an attic or interior walls of a building, work by blocking the heat radiating into the building from the hot roof and sidewalls…
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Environmental News Network, March 2008:
A Low Emissivity Coating That Really Works

To say that there is a lot of hype about insulating paints and radiant barrier coatings is an understatement. The Internet is rife with claims of paints that dramatically reduce heat transfer—usually based on some technological magic spun off from NASA. While these products may have some relevance in the extreme conditions of outer space, manufacturers of paints containing “ceramic beads” or “sodium borosilicate microspheres” are making claims that defy the laws of physics—and independent test results—when they claim they can save significant energy in buildings. Well-engineered coatings with metallic particles can reduce radiant heat transfer, however. LO/MIT-II from SOLEC—Solar Energy Corporation has a long track record of success…
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Painting & Wallcovering Contractor Vol 66. No. 1, January/February 2004:
There Goes the Sun

Energy Saving Coatings May Spook Contractors with Their Complexity – But Interest Has Never Been Higher.

Although energy-saving coatings – those claiming to reduce the amount of energy a structure requires to stay cooler or warmer – aren’t new, they appear to have slipped under the radar of most painting contractors. One reason might be that these coatings are most typically applied to roofs (although wall applications are not uncommon) and as such, are generally used by roofers – yet even this industry at times has failed to take notice of these products…
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SNIPS Magazine, June 2013:
Saving Energy With Radiant Barriers and HVAC Ductwork

Attic radiant barriers and interior radiation control coatings are proven technologies that significantly reduce the flow of radiant heat across attic spaces.

This reduction in radiant heat lowers heat flows across the ceilings of buildings. Lower heat flows across the ceilings of buildings potentially translates into smaller cooling and heating systems, and building operation cost savings. The energy savings increase when HVAC ducts are located in attic spaces outfitted with the above-mentioned technologies…
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Journal of Light Construction, June 2003:
Cool Roofs for Hot Climates

Even in hot, sunny climates, it’s common to see dark shingle roofs. That heat-absorbing choice carries a significant energy penalty: In sunny climates, heat gain through the roof makes up a major share of a house’s cooling load.

People try different strategies to limit heat gain through the roof. Extra ceiling insulation, extra ventilation, under-roof radiant barriers, and sealed attics with insulated roof decks can all help in certain circumstances…
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Western Roofing, January/February 2017:
An Astronomical Facelift – Desert Observatory Gets Renovated in Tucson, Arizona

Kitt Peak National Observatory is an astronomical site located in the Sonoran Desert just outside of Tucson, Arizona. Nestled atop a nearly 7,000 foot peak sits an array of over 25 optical and radio telescope. First founded in 1958, Kitt Peak continues to be at the center of modern astronomical research with observations on this sited noted for important contributions towards understanding dark matter, galaxy redshifts, supernovae near-earth asteroids and more…
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Insulation Contractors Report, November/December 2014:
ICAA-Member Supplier Spotlight: SOLEC-Solar Energy Corp.

Happy 40th anniversary to SOLEC-Solar Energy Corp.! Can you identify a few of the pivotal achievements that have distinguished SOLEC over the years?

1974 – Company started on a farm in Princeton, NJ. Initial research started on a sophisticated glass, vacuum insulated solar collector with the help of glass blowers from RCA laboratories (one of whom helped develop color tv).

1978 – Patent filed on vacuum insulated solar collector. At that time, it was the largest US solar patent ever filed and issued…
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RESEARCH

ASTM Designation C1321:
Standard Practice for Installation and Use of Interior Radiation Control Coating Systems (IRCCS) in Building Construction

1. Scope

1.1 This practice has been prepared for use by the designer, specifier, and applicator of IRCCS (Interior Radiation Control Coating Systems) for use in building construction. The scope is limited to recommendations related to the sue and installation of IRCCS, including a surface(s) normally have a far-infrared emittance of 0.25 or less that is sprayed or painted. Some examples that this practice is intended to address include…
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RIMA-International:
Evaluation of Coatings for Use as Interior Radiation Control Coatings

Especially formulated coatings and paints are used in building applications to conserve energy. A large number of products called “radiation control coatings (RCC)” are used on exterior surfaces to reduce the amount of solar energy absorbed by the surface and transported to the interior. A second class of products called “Interior Radiation Control Coating Systems (IRCCS)” are available for use on interior surfaces to reduce heat transfer from the adjacent interior air to the coated surface. Consensus standards for both product types have been developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). This evaluation was undertaken to determine the suitability of specific paints and coatings for us as IRCCS…
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Cool Roof Rating Council:
Notification of Energy Star Product Certification – LO/MIT-I

The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited EPA Certification Body, has reviewed the test results data provided by an EPA-certified testing laboratory and has determined that this roofing product meets the qualification criteria of ENERGY STAR’s Program Requirements Product Specification for Roof Products. This Notification of Product Certification is subject to all terms and conditions of the ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement, ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Roof Products: Partner Commitments and Eligibility (in accordance with the version that product is certified under), Evaluation Services-CRRC Agreement, and the Evaluation Services Certification Program Manual…
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RIMA-International Technical Bulletin 103:
The Effect of Attic Radiant Barriers in an Attic Application on Exterior Roofing Materials

The effect of attic radiant barriers on the temperatures of roofing materials is the subject of a recently completed RIMA-I study. Dark roofing material (shingles) can absorb as much as 95% of incident solar radiation and, as a result, will increase in temperature above the surrounding air temperature. The temperature reached by a roof in the heat of the day depends partly on the amount of heat transferred downward into the attic and conditioned space. The installation of an attic radiant barrier significantly decreases the amount of heat transferred in the downward direction with the result that the roof material temperatures will increase. The questions addressed by this bulletin are the magnitude of the temperature increase and the effect of the temperature increase on material warranties. The results of this study are…
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NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center – Thermal Control Coatings Laboratory:
Results from the UV Exposure study of 14 Thermal Control Coatings

Background: The GSFC Multisedes Vacuum System is used for Ultraviolet (UV) exposure and degradation studies. The system consists of two sorption pumps, a sputter-ion pump, and a sample chamber. The sample chamber consists of 16 sample positions. The system has the capability of testing a maximum of 14 samples at one time. the remaining sample positions contain a reference mirror and a blank. The sample holders are designed for a sample size of one inch in diameter and one-eighth of an inch thickness. Sample thicknesses may vary, but are limited by the multisedes sample holder design. Before beginning the UV exposure study, the samples’ reflectances are measured in the Beckman DK-2A Spectrophotometer…
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RIMA-International Technical Bulletin 112:
A Review of Interior Radiation Control Coatings Research

An Interior Radiation Control Coating (IRCC) is a low-emittance paint or coating applied to building materials to reduce the thermal transmission across the space. Emittance or emissivity refers to the percent of radiant heat that a hot object emits or radiates. Building materials like wood and masonry typically have a very high thermal emittance and can have upwards of 80% radiant heat
transmission. Due to the low-emissive properties of the coating, a building product’s thermal emissivity can be reduced down to 25% or less.

While similar in function, an IRCC is notably different from a sheet radiant barrier. A sheet radiant barrier is a separate building component with a low emissive surface (0.10 or less) added to the building assembly, while an IRCC is a coating applied to an existing building component to lower that component’s emissivity. To qualify (under the ASTM definition) as an IRCC, the coating must be able to reduce the emissivity to 0.25 or less…
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EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY/Estec:
Test Report: Emittance Measurements for European South Observatory

1 SCOPE OF DOCUMENT
This document is the test report of the thermo-optical properties measurements within TEC-QEE.

2 INTRODUCTION
The European South Observatory considers the utilization of Solec’s LO/MIT-II low emissivity paint in the main structure of the ELT. Therefore, the spectral emittance is needed to evaluate the suitability of this coating with respect to astronomical bands in the night sky radiation…
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Test Report for SOLEC Solar Energy Corp:
Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials ASTM E-84-10

Material Tested: Material submitted by SOLEC Solar Energy Corp., Ewing, NJ, was described as:

LO-MIT I
Spray applied to 1/4 in. thick reinforced cement board to a thickness of 1 mil nominal wet film, 0.3-0.5 mil dry film (oven cured).

LO-MIT II
Spray applied to 1/4 in. thick reinforced cement board to a thickness of 1 mil nominal wet film, 0.3-0.5 mil dry film (oven cured).

LO-MIT II MAX
Spray applied to 1/4 in. thick reinforced cement board to a thickness of 1 mil nominal wet film, 0.3-0.5 mil dry film (oven cured).
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ASHRAE 2013:
Thermal Performance Evaluation of Attic Radiant Barrier Systems Using the Large Scale Climate Simulator (LSCS)

Application of radiant barriers and low-emittance surface coatings in residential building attics can significantly reduce conditioning loads from heat flow through attic floors. The roofing industry has been developing and using various radiant barrier systems and low-emittance (low-e) surface coatings to increase energy efficiency in buildings; however, minimal data are available that quantify the effectiveness of these technologies.

This study evaluates performance of various attic radiant barrier systems under simulated summer daytime conditions and nighttime or low solar gain daytime winter conditions using the large scale climate simulator (LSCS)…
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McDowell Owens Integrated Forensic Engineering:
LO/MIT Conductivity and Ignition Testing Results

As you know, in recent years McDowell Owens Engineering, Inc. has been involved in the investigation of structure fires that involve reflective radiant barrier products that have been energized by electrical current. We have investigated dozens of these fires and have encountered approximately a half dozen different types of the radiant barrier products. The product most often involved has been OSB sheathing with aluminum foil laminated to the underside; however, we have also encountered several different types of what we call “rolled” products that are installed after construction. In our lab we have tested each of these products and found that when energized by electrical current, they readily ignite and are often found to be the “cause” of structure fires.

While we have never investigated a structure fire where a “paint on” radiant barrier product was involved, we were anxious to conduct testing on these products to understand the potential of ignition when energized electrically. SOLEC has been extremely cooperative and has provided us with several samples of your reflective radiant barrier products designed for use in structures. We have performed testing to these samples similar to that performed on all of the other radiant barrier products tested…
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Transformative Reductions in Operational Energy Consumption (TROPEC):
Cycle 13.2 Lab Summary

Conducted two assessments of different coating technologies that could be applied tents or B-Huts. Measured material properties of a sample of one coating and transferred the measured properties to detailed EnergyPlus models of tents and B-Huts. The modeling was conducted for 16 different tropical climate locations in the PACOM AOR.

Low emittance coatings show promise as a technique to reduce solar loads to a structure without requiring a separate radiant barrier layer.

Construction Specifier, December 2014:
Reflecting on Heat Transfer Reduction

Most forms of building insulation – fiberglass, mineral fibers, cellulose, and cellular plastic – play a key role in making buildings energy-efficient and in reducing electrical peak demand. However, the amount of material that can be added to building walls or roof-ceiling assemblies is limited either by physical dimensions of the framing (ceiling frames) or adverse effects of over-insulating (weight, heat and moisture retention, and ventilation restrictions). Radiant barriers and interior radiation control coatings (IRCCs) offer another option.

With modern-day indoor space comfort and air quality requirements in buildings, it is no surprise the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) puts energy consumption in buildings – both residential and commercial – at the top of the list…
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ARMY Research Laboratory:
Laboratory Evaluation of Commercial Coatings for Use by Soldiers in the Field to Lower Operating Temperatures of Collapsible Fuel Tanks

The purpose of this work was (1) to survey the market and obtain solar reflecting paints (SRPs) and coatings for conducting laboratory tests and (2) to determine the potential of these materials for use as temperature reducing coatings that could be applied by a soldier in the field to prolong the life of collapsible fuel tanks. The U.S. Army Tank and Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center’s (TARDEC’s) plan is to use these coatings on collapsible tanks that will be in service for more than six months of continuous use at the same location, including a majority of the larger tank systems, such as the 50,000-gal capacity and up. Once a coating is applied, it is not designed to survive transit or storage conditions. If a coated tank is transported to a new location, an additional coat would need to be applied. The type of coatings being investigated in this study would not be recommended for tanks that are expected to be repeatedly relocated, such as the more maneuverable 20,000-gal or smaller tanks within the U.S. Army inventory. The plan is to coat the tanks in the field just prior to loading the tank with fuel. Thus, the coating must be able to flex and stretch with the tank as the fill height rises and falls during use. TARDEC has also indicated that the color of the coating should be a secondary matter and not as significant as the coating’s ability to reduce the temperature of the tank’s coated fabric material and seam joints, thus prolonging the life of the tank system in the field…
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Boeing DPM 5858-3:
5858 Coating – High Temperature – Superseded by 5858-3 – September 2010

Specification for High temperature low-e coatings used in aircraft applications.
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Federal Energy Management Activities:
GSA’s New Item Introductory Schedule – A Valuable Resource for Government Energy Managers

The Federal Supply Service of the General Services Administration publishes a New Item Introductory Schedule (NIIS) which offers Federal customers the latest in product technology. This can be a valuable resource for Federal energy managers who are looking for products that will reduce their facility energy expenditures. The NIIS lists current contracts under particular supply classifications.

The current NIIS contains the following products of interest to energy managers:

*One-way/two-way light sensors
*Corridor/warehouse light sensors
*Fluorescent automatic/manual dimming controls
*Passive infrared occupanyc sensors
*Lighting adapters and reflector accessories
*Programmable thermostats
*Spray-on low-emissivity coating…
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BROCHURES

LO/MIT-I Radiant Barrier Coating Technical Brochure

For all exterior and high temperature applications that require quick setup time. High reflectivity & low emissivity roof coating for energy conservation and heat & light reflection.

LO/MIT-I Radiant Barrier Coating Sales Brochure

For all exterior and high temperature applications that require quick setup time. High reflectivity & low emissivity roof coating for energy conservation and heat & light reflection.

LO/MIT-I MAX Radiant Barrier Coating Technical Brochure

For all exterior and high temperature applications that require quick setup time. Highest reflectivity & lowest emissivity roof coating for energy conservation and heat & light reflection.

LO/MIT-II and LO/MIT-II MAX (IRCCS) Technical Brochure

Stop your home from being a solar heat trap this summer. For all interior applications. Use MAX for high temp and lower emissivity applications. Use LO/MIT-II for quicker setup time.

LO/MIT-II and LO/MIT-II MAX (IRCCS) Sales Brochure

Stop your home from being a solar heat trap this summer. For all interior applications. Use MAX for high temp and lower emissivity applications. Use LO/MIT-II for quicker setup time.