MEET: CHEMICALLY CROSSLINKED POLYETHYLENE FOAM

The main technical characteristics of the heat insulation

There are four materials-leaders of technical insulation in the world: mineral wools, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam and polyethylene foam. Today some experts value the world market of the heat insulation of some $20-25 billion per year and predict its doubling in the nearest 10-12 years. Building, industry and power engineering take 55 % of consumption, insulation of engineering systems of housing and communal services — 25 %, heat-, gas- and water supply in civic building — 20 %.

The main technical characteristic of the heat insulation materials is heat conductivity — ability of the material to transfer heat. For its quantitative determination the heat conductivity ratio is used. Value of heat conductivity depends on chemical structure, density, type, dimensions, location of cells and other parameters.

Additional exploration characteristics consist of bending strength, condensability, water absorption, moisture sorption, frost-resistance, vapor permeability and fireproof. And hygiene, working temperature range, longevity, convenient assembling, rodents and insects steadiness, and ecologic characteristics are particularly important for consumer.

International investigations show that there is no ideal method of heat insulation, which can include all desirable characteristics. Every material possesses its own specific properties and advantages in different spheres of application. That is why it is obligatory to look through a comparative analysis of their technical characteristics for optimal choice of the heat insulation material.

It is very important for consumer, and also for planners, architects and customers to understand that energy efficient decisions of such problem as heat saving consists in using combinations of the materials.