Overview of Product Range within Insulated Concrete Forms-Composite

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Overview of product range within this system type

ICF’s (Insulated Concrete Forms) can consist of both foam-based and composite material systems. Common foams used are expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene.  The three basic types of forms are hollow foam blocks, foam planks held together with plastic ties, and 4x8 panels with integral foam or plastic ties.  The insulation values of Insulated concrete forms can range from R-17 to R-26.  Although all ICF’s are identical in principle, there are different types that differ in shape, cavities and component parts.

·         Block systems

o   This type of system is the smallest in unit size.  The typical ICF block unit is about 10” in overall width and has a 6” cavity for concrete.  Each unit is factory molded with special interlocking edges that allow them to fit together to form a single larger unit.

·         Panel Systems

o   This type of systems has the largest sized units ranging from 1’x8’ to 4’x8’.   Interconnection requires use of separate connector or a “tie”.  These systems are assembled into units before setting into place.

·         Plank Systems

o   This type of system is very similar to panel systems however they are usually smaller in size and the major difference is that plank systems is the assembly.  The planks are assembles with ties when set into place rather than being pre-assembled.

    
Within each type of ICF system there can be another type of cavity design which differs in the way the concrete is eventually dried.  There can be a Flat wall which is a continuous pour of concrete throughout the wall.  Also there can be waffle grid core which has thicker pours of concrete throughout the wall.  There is also a screen grid core that has solid columns and rows of concrete throughout.

 Sources

http://www.forms.org/index.php?act=technicallibrary

http://www.astm.org/SNEWS/JANUARY_2004/concrete_jan04.html

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