Household maintenance at home costs a considerable amount, and you probably know that. Agree that while prices are rising, it would not hurt to carry out cost optimization. You definitely heard about heaters, as one of such options. For example, if we talk about extruded polystyrene foam - the characteristics are at a fairly high level at a relatively low cost. It would be nice to know about all the properties of this material, right?
Putting aside household issues for later can be a rash decision. You can understand the main properties of all heaters by devoting just 10 minutes to each. Do not forget that sometimes you have to redo something for a long time before you start something again. Keep in mind: as simple a material as extruded polystyrene foam is able to retain most of the waste heat.
The extruded polystyrene foam sold is not always the same, so it would be nice to know what the difference is and how to choose the best material. This article is about this, and also about the scope of its application and various physical features. We have brought you the necessary information in the most convenient form.
The main properties of extruded polystyrene foam
One of the varieties of polystyrene is polystyrene foam. They are a mass of small air bubbles in the shells. There are extruded polystyrene foam (extrusion, foam, EPS, extrusion), conventional or non-pressured, press, autoclaved and other types.
The usual version of expanded polystyrene consists of a polymer - 2% and air - 98%. The extruded material has a solids content of about 10%. The strength of the foam is 2.5 times greater, and it increases with the increase in the number of sheets.
Polyfoam - a class of materials of synthetic origin with a compliant or solid structure. There are polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, formaldehyde and other foams
In the USA, Western Europe and Russia, today, less harmful extruded polystyrene foam is noted. In European countries, it is increasingly forbidden to insulate with conventional foam, as it emits more harmful substances during combustion.
For penoplex, the following parameters are characteristic:
- thermal conductivity: 0.029-0.034;
- water permeability: 0.2-0.4%;
- specific gravity: 25–45 kg / m³;
- bending strength: 0.3-0.45 MPa;
- compressive strength: 200-500 kPa.
Penoplex is made by extrusion. That is, through mixing the granules at high pressure and temperature, with further extraction from the extruder.
First, the base in the form of styrene copolymers is melted, and then a foaming agent of the hydrocarbon or nitrogen type is added. Then the mass is treated with tools, squeezed and shaped. In the process, the material cells are saturated with carbon dioxide or natural gas. The cells are closed, and the insulation surface is relatively even and smooth.
At the same time, foam and other types of polystyrene foam can be produced from the same raw material.
In the production of using various polymers, and on this basis differentiate the finished raw materials. So under the microscope look styrene polymers
A high-quality foam complex is characterized by a closed-type porous structure with a uniform surface and 0.1-0.2 mm cells.Due to its air-containing composition, foam foam has a low thermal conductivity, which gives the material ideal thermal insulation properties. It retains heat 3 times better than wood, and up to 20 times better than other building materials.
The extruded material has high mechanical resistance, low water and vapor permeability. It allows less air and moisture to pass than regular polystyrene foam, and with its use it is possible to do without vapor barrier. Extrusion is made in the form of plates, flexible material and rolls.
Extruded polystyrene foam has a great advantage over mineral insulators and the like, because it almost does not change when exposed to water, while mineral materials generally become unusable. In general, mineral insulation will need 3-4 times more than extruded polystyrene foam.
Both foam and ordinary polystyrene foam have a low weight and good technical parameters, they are convenient in installation work. Penoplex is denser than many other types of foam.
The sheets of extruded polystyrene foam have a thickness of 1.2 to 20 cm, which allows the material to be used for different purposes and in various industries
Thermal insulation has high requirements for safety, stability and technical parameters.
There is a method for determining longevity. It provides for compliance with the capabilities of the foundation blocks. For them, the service life is normal from 40 years. Materials that cannot be replaced in the process should provide the same life. The period of operation of extruded polystyrene foam potentially reaches more than half a century.
AT Federal Law No. 123 regulated the toxicity indicators of combustion products. According to it, extruded polystyrene foam is included in the combustibility groups G3 and G4.
The best polystyrene foam has an indicator of G2 - moderately dangerous. In fire hazardous places and with high fire safety requirements, G3 foam is chosen. At the same time, the material must maintain the same service life of 40 years.
In modern foam there are flame retardants, the function of which is to level the effect of pyrenes. The material quickly burns, but does not support the flame and goes out. Expanded polystyrene of any type has such a quality, but the attenuation rate can vary greatly. Sometimes not in favor of extruded material.
Pros and cons of foam
Extruded polystyrene foam has many positive qualities.
It has low thermal conductivity - this is the main feature that makes the material an ideal insulation.
Penoplex does not attract microorganisms, has resistance to mold and fungus, even if it is in close proximity to these formations
Penoplex retains its original properties for a long time. Thermal insulation performance remains the same after 1000 cycles of freezing / thawing. Thermal resistance changes by no more than 5%. Physico-mechanical properties remain unchanged for a long time even when the temperature changes in the range -50 ... + 75 ° C.
Penoplex is easy to use. Its installation is simple, and the need for tools is minimal.
Extrusion is resistant to a number of substances and factors common in everyday life: to vegetable oils, ammonia, cement, organic and inorganic acids, rodents, dyes, alkalis. Biodegradation of the material also does not threaten. Unlike conventional polystyrene foam, extrusion does not roll after compression, stretching, or impact.
Extruded polystyrene foam absorbs water minimally. Penoplex immersed in water will be filled with moisture no more than 0.5% in a volume ratio. He will completely stop absorbing it after 10 days. It's about quality material.
To the advantages, and at the same time to the disadvantages, it is worth adding low vapor permeability.By the ability to pass steam 1 extrusion layer with a thickness of 2 cm corresponds to 1 layer of roofing material. In this regard, extruded polystyrene is better than all other materials of its type.
Even extruded polystyrene foam is exposed to solvents, therefore, in the case of painting or varnishing, the composition of the solutions used must be carefully checked.
Like all materials, extruded polystyrene foam has weaknesses.
When arranging saunas and heated roofs, the use of this material is usually not available. If the temperature near the foam exceeds 75 ° C, it will begin to secrete many harmful compounds. The material also has vulnerability to exposure to sunlight. The foam also ignites, and self-extinguishing lasts about 10 seconds.
Extrusion has low frost resistance - small cracks sometimes appear in the structure. Most thermal insulation materials are better preserved during frosts than foam.
Loss of integrity also occurs due to contact with hydrocarbons such as polyvinyl chloride. Penoplex is susceptible to oxidation in air, but ordinary foam is oxidized even faster.
Material Selection Criteria
Expanded polystyrene is a lightweight, comfortable, warm and relatively cheap material. However, it can vary greatly in quality.
Check material standard. Ideally, take in accordance with GOST. Manufacturers also have products according to their own specifications.
In the second case, the properties can differ significantly, and the specific gravity of the same modification can be in the range of 28–40 kg / m³. Therefore, require documents with physical parameters.
Chips are often formed on the foam sheets, and their corners can grind, so you should take care of the gentle transportation and good conditions for installation
Be sure to probe the material and make sure its strength. It should not lose integrity if you clicked on it, but did not make significant efforts. In normal extrusion, no balls will be visible at the fracture site, but only polyhedrons of the correct shape. In addition, penoplex is easily cut with a knife.
At the outlet you can check the storage location of the foam. Foams can not be left uncovered in the open air, and sometimes ordinary fabric is enough, the presence of packaging is optional. Make sure that there are no acetone, dichloroethane, benzene, paints and varnishes near the penoplex.
Check all certificates, inspect the packaging, if any, for integrity. Find the marking sticker. It is placed on the packaging or on the material itself, if it is not packaged. It is better not to buy a product without a sticker with a label.
Pay attention to the color. Only pure shades are suitable, and the less they approach a uniform color, the lower the initial quality of the foam, or the storage option was unsuitable, and the material deteriorated. The smell of extrusion should not be unpleasant.
Check the thickness of the sheets. Determine if the granules are the same in each of them.
Choose penoplex depending on the intended use:
- for roofs, take foam with the highest specific gravity: from 33 to 45 kg / m³;
- for the arrangement of the floor, an indicator of 33 kg / m³ is enough;
- 28 kg / m³ is sufficient for internal walls.
Give preference to XPS foam, brand 40 and above. Keep in mind that the ideal extruded material is durable, yet resilient and slightly malleable.
Penoplex can be cut with a string, a hand saw, using curly cutting, but it will be most convenient to work with a paint knife
According to GOST 30244-94, polystyrene foam are the most dangerous materials in case of fire - due to released substances. In this case, the material attenuates, unlike wood. Extrusion is usually more resistant to ignition, but attenuates more slowly.Its red-hot burning pieces will spread the flame, and in the case of strong fire, the self-extinguishing property will not help in any way.
Expanded polystyrene with increased fire safety is indicated by the letter "C". They contain flame retardants that protect against burning. Despite the fact that such material is included in the flammability group G2, it soon becomes the corresponding G3-G4.
Fresh penoplex releases a certain amount of styrene. Above 80 ° C, in addition to styrene, carbon monoxide, benzene, ethylbenzene and toluene are released.
Correctly calculate the thickness of the sheet. High rates do not guarantee high reliability. It often happens that on thick sheets, microcracks and bumps are more likely to form.
In European countries, it is not customary to use foam sheets more than 3.5 cm thick on the outer surfaces of buildings.
Determining the ideal sheet thickness will not be easy: you need to take into account the climate, material density, wall thickness and the desired effect of thermal insulation
Remember that polystyrene foam has soundproofing properties. It is possible to reduce the spread of noise using a more or less thick layer of material.
Scopes of extruded polystyrene foam
It is used in frame construction according to LSTK-technologies and methods of wooden construction. In Europe, expanded polystyrenes are preferred in 80% of cases when it comes to insulation for construction.
Penoplex is used for layered masonry, on roofs, for example, inversions, and in flooring. An ideal option for thermal insulation with foam or conventional polystyrene foam is to create a layer in the thickness of the wall of the building.
Facade insulation using foam can be difficult due to the low adhesion of the material, low vapor permeability and problems with calculating the dew point.
It often happens that the extrusion version is used externally, but only at the base level. Extruded and conventional polystyrene foam may not be suitable for internal insulation due to a dew point shift and the associated inconvenience. The use of expanded polystyrene inside a building without an intermediate layer is considered by experts to be inappropriate and risky.
Penoplex is often used in basements and at the foundation level, not least due to the fact that the mice do not gnaw on extruded materials. It will be just as useful when arranging the roof.
When installing insulation on any type of surface, dust removal must not be neglected so that adhesion is acceptable and thermal insulation is not compromised.
On balconies and loggias, foam will be better than regular polystyrene. Usually these rooms are not spacious, so the extruded material will save space there. Large and thick foam sheets are, on average, 5 cm thinner than regular foam sheets.
The floors are insulated with both foam and ordinary polystyrene foam. The benefits will be approximately the same: whether in residential, technical or utility rooms.
In developed countries, extruded polystyrene foam is widely used in laying railways and highways. The material reduces the likelihood of freezing of the soil of the subgrade and further swelling of the soil.
Penoplex perfectly copes with the tasks that arise in the construction of sports surfaces, ice complexes, refrigeration units. A type of material with a density of 38–45 kg / m³ is used in the construction of airfields and runways.
Areas of construction where penoplex is used:
- Private, civil, industrial. Foundations, roofs, floors, walls, fencing, household communications, underground structures.
- In agriculture. In greenhouses, hotbeds, storage, greenhouses, farms.
- Road. Repair, reconstruction and construction of runways, roads and railways.
Extruded polystyrene foam is used as the main material in refrigeration units, containers, refrigeration sections.
Edible and inedible food is packed in it. Various kinds of sandwich panels are used from this insulation, used in architectural elements.
Such an isothermal container using extruded polystyrene foam is useful for fishing enthusiasts: the temperature inside will rise by less than 1 ° C per day
Penoplex is combined with different materials, and it has a multi-purpose purpose:
- pipe insulation and sewers: pipeline, expanded clay or gravel, foam, soil;
- foundation insulation, on which groundwater is pressed: geotextiles, extruded polystyrene foam, hydroprotection, foundation wall;
- external basement insulation or basementa: soil, penoplex, waterproofing, wall, floor, protection from polymer cement;
- pitched roof: hydroprotection, lathing, extruded polystyrene foam, rafter system, drywall;
- flat roof reconstruction: gravel, filter layer, foam, new waterproofing, old waterproofing, thermal insulation material, reinforced concrete slab;
- inversion roof insulation: gravel, filter layer, foam sheets, water protection, plate;
- ground floor floor insulation: dense soil, sand cushion, water protection, extruded polystyrene foam, screed;
- creating a warm floor: fair floor, penopleks, draft floor, logs;
- design of heated floors: foam, heating pipes, layer separator, screed;
- wall cavity insulation: facing brickwork, clamping washer, wire anchor, extruded polystyrene foam, wall;
- internal wall insulation: drywall, guides, foam, wall.
When insulating the facade, plaster and dowel mesh are required. But the main thing is that the dew point is not on the border of the insulation.
Otherwise, the plaster may fall off due to condensation, followed by thermal insulation. On facades, it is more appropriate to use regular polystyrene foam.
On the facade, penoplex without a protective coating and proper calculations of the dew point will not last long, and the chances of making a mistake are very high
The operation of expanded polystyrene from the outside provides for their protection against ultraviolet rays and atmospheric phenomena. To do this, use plaster with the addition of cement.
The coating is made dense, without the slightest gaps. If this design is neglected, direct and reflected rays of the sun can ruin the entire thermal insulation.
Insulation of the floor with the help of foam - analysis of the process:
Testing different types of extruded polystyrene foam for strength:
Nuances of attic insulation with penoplex:
Extruded polystyrene foam has long been known as an effective heat insulating material. It is denser than regular polystyrene foam and other types of polystyrene. Consider all the positive and harmful properties of the extruded version and expanded polystyrene in general.
In most cases, penoplex should work. On the street and where exposure to external aggressive factors will be low, you can use regular polystyrene foam.
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