Expanded polypropylene is a modern insulating material. Foamed polypropylene: characteristics and application Foamed polypropylene insulation

Synthetic materials become worthy competitors mineral heaters on the market for thermal insulation products. Polypropylene occupies the second position among polymers in terms of its use in various industries. The material is characterized by high strength and wear resistance, does not change shape when exposed to high temperature and steam.

PP is a plastic polymer that is resistant to aggressive chemicals, flexibility and low vapor permeability.

Polypropylene products are made in 5 main ways:

• injection molding;
• extrusion;
• rotational molding;
• blowing;
• foaming.

The material obtained by foaming polymer granules has found wide application in heat, steam and sound insulation. building structures and pipelines. To give him special properties plasticizers, flame retardants, antistatic and other substances are added to PP granules. Porous or expanded polypropylene (PPP) is molded during the extrusion process.

Properties of insulation based on PPP

Expanded polypropylene has the lowest thermal conductivity in its class. The gas-filled polymer received a density of 40 kg / m3, its closed pores provide moisture resistance and high strength. The elastic material does not deform during operation. It belongs to products with low flammability; during combustion, it does not emit dangerous toxic gases.

Synthetic insulation is environmentally friendly and safe for health, contact of polypropylene with food products is allowed.

The cellular structure contributes to the absorption of sound and vibration, the use of PPP is recommended for soundproofing buildings. To enhance the properties of the insulation, it is laminated with foil or lavsan threads. Composite products can be coated with non-foamed polypropylene. The most famous material with lavsan and foil coated EPP. It is produced in the form of rolls of 15, 25 m, web thickness from 2 to 10 mm. Sheet size is 1×1, 2×2 m, thickness - up to 20 mm. The insulation is easy to cut and easy to install.

Technical characteristics of polypropylene foam

• thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.034 W / m * K;
• thermal shrinkage - 3%;
• water absorption - 0.74%;
• density - 40 kg/m3;
• compressive strength - 0.183 MPa;
• working temperature- from -40º C to +150º C;
• service life - 20 years.

Areas of application for thermal insulation based on PP

The main characteristics of the material: low thermal conductivity, sound absorption, resistance to moisture and decay, determined the area of ​​its use.

Polypropylene insulation is used to insulate roofs, walls, floors, loggias and balconies, as well as pipelines and heating lines.

They do not require the installation of additional hydro and vapor barrier. EPP is used for the manufacture of thermal containers used in everyday life and during transportation. medical preparations temperature sensitive.

Foamed polypropylene with foil coating is widely used in rooms with high humidity and sudden changes in temperature. One of popular brands is Penotherm, designed to isolate baths and saunas. The reflective layer of insulation prevents the output of infrared waves and reduces the heating time of the steam room by 3 times. His thermal insulation characteristics and moisture resistance is higher than similar materials based on polyethylene.

Porous insulation is used to create a soundproof layer of partitions and internal walls. Lavsan-coated material is in demand as a substrate when installing a "warm floor" system.

Controversy about insulation wooden house go constantly. Some say that there is never a lot of insulation, others do not agree with this. Each heater has its own advantages and disadvantages. Besides, wooden house different from brick: it is constantly moving, breathing. This feature must be taken into account when starting construction. country house.

Sample projects country houses: how is a log house usually insulated?

What is the difference frame house from wood?

• A wooden house is assembled from logs.
• Such a house gives and receives moisture through the walls. In this case, it is important that the house does not dry out and accumulate moisture. Proper insulation can solve this problem.
• The weak links of such a house are the joints of logs - crowns. It is on the crowns that the work on warming is being carried out.

A frame house does not always consist entirely of wood.

• The frame itself can be iron.
• The inner part of the wall can be made of timber, drywall, OSB-plates, the facade is sheathed with plastic or wooden clapboard, siding.
• Usually, moisture is removed from the room by means of ventilation.

The same materials work differently when insulating a frame house and a house made of timber.

Penopropylene as a heater for a house from a bar

How does styrofoam work? Everyone will find arguments for and against this material. The construction of a country house from a bar requires savings. Penopropylene - economic and convenient material in work.

• Relatively cheap installation cost compared to linen and jute seals.
• No need to wear respirators, does not irritate the skin, does not fray.
• The material is not damaged by birds.
• Easily attached to the tree with a conventional stapler: fast and convenient to mount.
• Joints are glued acrylic sealant. Now cold air can't get inside.

But if you do not take into account the features of a wooden house made of timber, an unpleasant picture may arise.

• What cold air does not get into the house, it's good. But how does moisture get out of the room? There is only one way for her: to soak in wooden walls. And this is a fungus, mold, dampness.
• Moisture accumulates in the wood, especially at the junctions of the insulation with the wood.
• When ignited, the heater releases harmful substances.

The same problems arise when using polyurethane foam and other similar heaters.
Typical projects of frame-type country houses sometimes provide for insulation with polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. Such insulation also has its drawbacks.

• Expanded polystyrene and polystyrene are combustible material.
• Combustion products are very harmful to humans.
• Insulation is very fond of rodents.

Mineral wool and glass wool as a heater for the construction of a wooden house from a bar inexpensively

Our ancestors, who built wooden houses, did not know about mineral wool at all. Many builders now use this material as interventional insulation.

Mineral wool and glass wool - perfect solution for log houses. The construction of houses from a bar is inexpensively based on the use of this insulation. Such insulation does not harm the inhabitants - the wool is inside the wall.

• The insulation is covered with a film and on top facing material. At the same time, a minimum amount of fiberglass enters the air.
• Cotton wool does not wrinkle, is in a free state, therefore it retains heat.

In this case, the heater does its job perfectly. On both sides it is protected by films. You just need to take care to wet air does not accumulate indoors, and the house will be warm and safe.

Is it possible to use glass wool as an interventional insulation for a wooden house made of timber?

• Glass wool - relatively cheap way insulation of a wooden house.
• A small amount of material needed to insulate the joints. Sometimes this roll is enough for the whole house.
• Fast installation. The insulation is laid on the joint, fixed with a stapler or self-tapping screws.

Doubt can cause the following points.

• It takes time to cut the insulation. As a rule, the roll width is 1-1.2 m.
• Irritating to skin and lungs.

• The thermal conductivity of mineral wool depends on its density. Under the weight of the logs mineral wool collapses and loses its properties.

The principles of warming a house made of timber and a wooden house made of logs differ from each other. When developing a project for country houses, this must be taken into account.

Foil insulation is one of the types of thermal insulation, the scope of which is very wide.

It is used in the construction and repair of residential and public buildings, for insulation of the heating network, pipes of cold and hot water supply, insulation and soundproofing of walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, ventilation ducts and mines.

Types of foil insulation

Universal insulation made of polyethylene foam with a thickness of 2 to 10 mm coated on one side thin layer aluminum foil. As a rule, this roll material, which has good technical characteristics: low thermal conductivity, almost zero water absorption.

It is more often used for thermal insulation of the floor as a finishing substrate for laminate, parquet, linoleum, as well as for installing a “warm floor” under a screed. It is also used for thermal insulation of steam baths and saunas, insulates water and sewer pipes.

To save heat and prevent its leakage through the building envelope (walls), the foamed foil insulation is mounted on the wall behind the heating radiator, leaving between the heat-reflecting screen and the heating device air gap in 15-20 mm.

On sale there are even insoles for shoes made of foamed polyethylene with foil top layer to keep shoes warm low temperatures ambient air.

Foamed polyethylene also has soundproofing properties. Not infrequently sewage pipe in a multi-storey residential building, passing through all floors, is quite noisy, especially pvc pipes. Foam insulation will help reduce noise, make living more comfortable. The material is environmentally friendly.

The most popular and common brands in Russia: Penofol, Ecofol, Isoflex, Izolon, Germaflex, Folgoizol, etc. Often there is a material with a self-adhesive bottom layer for ease of installation.

The price of the material depends primarily on the thickness of the foamed polyethylene. For example, a roll (50 sq.m.) of metallized Germaflex 2 mm thick costs 1680 rubles. (33.6 rubles / sq.m.). A roll (25 sq.m.) of the same material 10 mm thick - 1692 rubles. (67.7 rubles / sq.m.) Cheaper grades of foil material made of polyethylene foam can be purchased for 18-45 rubles / sq.m.

The second type of foil insulation is mineral wool insulation. with a one-sided foil surface, produced in the form of plates (mats) and rolls 50-100 mm thick. This is thermal insulation stone wool based basalt rocks or fiberglass.

foil basalt insulation used for thermal insulation chimneys and rear wall fireplaces, in places where increased heat resistance is required, belongs to the class of non-combustible materials.

Mineral wool mats based on fiberglass are used for thermal insulation of walls, floors, pitched roof. Foil insulation is used for vapor barrier and insulation of walls, ceilings and floors of saunas and baths. The room stays warm longer thanks to the reflective effect of the aluminum foil.

Such brands are widely known to the Russian consumer, like Izover, Rockwool, Knauf, Parok, etc. Each manufacturer guarantees durability, environmental friendliness and high specifications. The thickness of the insulation used depends on the material, thickness and purpose of the insulated structure, a calculation is required for maximum effect and material savings.

The cost of foil thermal insulation made of rockwool by the Rockwool company is from 1,200 rubles. per package (0.25m3).

Opinions about the benefits and harms of mineral wool are directly opposite. The phenol contained in it adversely affects human health. To draw your own conclusion about the safety of mineral wool, read consumer reviews, doctors' opinions and manufacturers' arguments, compare the pros and cons and make the only right decision for yourself.

Expanded polystyrene foil insulation is a foamed, rigid thermoplastic, which consists of fused granules, covered with a layer of metal foil. Produced in the form of plates.

It is used in conditions of high humidity and mechanical stress, is not subject to rotting, it is not afraid of fungus and mold. Great for thermal insulation of underfloor heating systems. Often, a red marking of 100x100 mm is applied on the foil layer for the convenience of laying heating pipes.

Installation of foil insulation

Installation of any foil insulation is carried out by a reflective surface inside the room, which guarantees the preservation of heat. The insulation is laid end-to-end, fixed with a construction stapler. When insulating walls, the material is mounted between the rails of the battens.

When installing foamed polyethylene, the joints are glued with metallized tape.

between insulation and finishing it is necessary to leave a gap of 20-25 mm.

It is worth thinking about insulation even at the stage of building a house, as in the future this will lead to significant energy savings. But with what kind of insulation to protect your home from heat loss, everyone determines for himself.

Consult with experts about the method of insulation, you may need to make a calculation that will save money on materials. Insulate your home properly, live comfortably.

In conditions of demand for materials with good sound and heat insulating qualities, gas-filled polymers are widely used. Expanded polypropylene is characterized by a combination of insulating properties with low specific gravity. The closed cell structure determined the increased strength of PPP among materials of its class.

To enhance waterproofing, as well as to increase the ability to absorb noise and vibration, manufacturers laminate sheet foamed polypropylene on one side with foil or lavsan threads.

Expanded polypropylene production and specifications

The process of creating porous polypropylene takes place in several stages:

• combination of polyPP with various additives (flame retardant, plasticizer, antistatic agent, etc.);
• high-temperature treatment (about 240°C) with the participation of a blowing agent - p-toluenesulfonylsemicarbazide. The result is individual small balls;
• treatment of the resulting substance with hot steam under high pressure. In the process, the balls are fused together;
• extrusion of the resulting mass of polypropylene (extrusion through a slotted die);
• curing period of 2 days.

The output is porous durable material with the following physical and technical characteristics:

Compared to other insulating materials, polypropylene foam has the following properties:

• high resistance to corrosion;
• temperature resistance (operating temperature from -40 to +150°C);
• wear resistance (up to 20 years of operation without loss of properties);
• environmental safety (possibility of contact with food products);
• fire safety (moderately combustible, does not emit toxins during combustion);
• ease of installation (depending on the thickness, it is cut with scissors, a thermal string or a saw, fixed with small nails or epoxy / cyacrine glue);
• energy intensity of polypropylene (the surface heats up faster by 15-20% compared to other materials of the same class);
• increased heat transfer;
• high degree of vibration, heat and noise insulation.

Standard sizes, varieties and colors

Polypropylene sheet in its pure form is extremely rare on sale. Composite EPP is the most popular - in this case, the PPP is supplemented with a layer of foil or lavsan threads, or is located between sheets of ordinary polypropylene (i.e., lightweight PP).

Each of the EPP manufacturers has set its own standard sizes. For example, LLC Penoterm, which for the first time in Russia foamed PP, sells polypropylene foam in rolls with standard width 1.2m. The length varies depending on the thickness of the material: 2, 3, 4, 5mm - 25 running meters, 8, 10mm - 15 running meters.

Standard sizes of lightweight PPP sheets from various manufacturers (thickness 10 - 20mm): 1 × 1, 2, 3, 4, 5m; 2×2, 3, 4, 5 m, 1.5×3 m, 1.5×4 m.

The color of the foamed polypropylene without the addition of dyes is milky. Also available following colors- green, gray, blue. It is possible to choose a color for an individual order.

Application area

The scope of EPP is determined by its type:

• foil polypropylene: used for hydro- and thermal insulation of rooms with high humidity: baths, saunas, steam rooms, etc.;
• laminated with lavsan: used when installing underfloor heating;
• composite: used in treatment facilities and as a more cost-effective alternative to conventional polypropylene;
• ordinary: production various forms and containers.

Manufacturers and estimated prices for polypropylene

It should be noted that imported porous polypropylene is not widely used in Russia. With identical properties, the cost of foreign material is much higher due to logistics costs. Plants producing polypropylene in Russia offer a fairly wide range of PPP.

1. Penoterm LLC

• PenotermNPP LF (laminated with foil), size 1.2×25m, gray

  Thickness	Price per sq. m
  2	90
  3	110
  4	120
  5	145
  8	165
  10	180

• PenotermNPP LP (laminated with lavsan), size 1.2×25m, gray

  Thickness	Price per sq. m
  2	90
  3	108
  4	117
  5	125
  8	160
  10	178

2. LLC "Polymerservice"

• Composite, size 1.5×3m, milky color

  Thickness	Price per sq. m
  10	1300
  13	1700
  15	1900
  18	2300
  19	2500
  30	3900
  40	5200

• Composite, size 1.5×3m, color green

Unlike conventional polypropylene, its foamed version is more durable due to its closed cell structure. In addition, having less weight, it allows you to save up to 15% of the purchase price. In addition, EPP has the lowest heat transfer coefficient in its class.

Expanded polypropylene is often compared to polyethylene foam, the closest competitor in its class. However, EPP outperforms PET in several key ways. In particular, PPP has a lower water absorption coefficient at high temperatures, a large margin of safety during deformation, and also conducts heat worse and is less subject to thermal shrinkage.

Foil is called a two-layer insulation: the outer layer is made of polished aluminum foil or metallized polypropylene film. Due to the reflective properties of the metal, the insulation efficiency reaches 97%. It finds its own in the thermal insulation of pipelines, air ducts, building envelopes (residential and public), etc.

Types and technical characteristics of foil insulation

In the construction market, foil heaters are represented by several types:

• Foil polyethylene foam: rolled self-adhesive material. It is mainly used for the device of a heat-insulating layer in technological equipment, pipes and ducts
• Foil mineral wool: available in the form of plates, cylinders and rolls. Thanks to high degree fire resistance, the material is widely used for insulation of chimneys, roofs, walls of saunas and baths
• Foil Styrofoam (with double-sided foil): resistant to temperature fluctuations in the range (-170 - +170 degrees Celsius). Most often used in the construction of a heat-insulating layer in warm floors. Foiled polystyrene can be used to insulate the space under the roof
• Basalt foil thermal insulator: the most resistant to aggressive environments among all foil insulation. Does not change its properties under the influence of temperature difference from -190 to +600 degrees Celsius. It is mainly used in the heat and power industry, aircraft industry, in the construction of gas stations

Despite the difference in the composition of foil insulation, they are united by a number of technical characteristics:

• Resistance to temperature fluctuations
• Water repellency
• High vapor permeability (0.001 mg/m.h.Pa)
• High efficiency reflecting thermal radiation (average thermal conductivity is 0.037 W / m ° C)
• High soundproofing properties (sound absorption - up to 68%)

The foil reliably protects all types of heaters from solar and radon radiation. Besides, thermal insulation materials this kind is not required additional processing chemicals, which has a very positive effect on the level of their environmental cleanliness.

Manufacturers position foil insulation as durable material that can last up to 95 years. However, it is very difficult to verify this assertion.

Suppliers of heat insulators can be found great amount materials. Any buyer immediately asks the question "?". Perhaps one of the most popular materials is mineral wool, as it has excellent resistance to high temperatures.

Price and quality

Foil insulation is more expensive than usual, so the price is one of the main selection criteria. But you should not get too carried away with savings, forgetting about the quality of the material.

On the market you can find fabulously cheap foil. Before you buy it, think about it: how could a manufacturer produce such a cheap product? And the answer is very simple: instead of a real foil, he applied an aluminum coating to the insulation. The material shines just like the real one, but the quality, alas, leaves much to be desired. The fact is that the sprayed layer is too thin to delay thermal radiation. So, most likely you will pay more than for ordinary insulation, but you will not win in quality. The result is an unjustified overpayment.

The average cost of high-quality foil insulation is:

• 60 - 80 rubles / sq. m - with a thickness of 3 mm
• 120 - 140 rubles / sq. m - with a thickness of 10 mm

Here are examples of prices for the most popular types of insulation:

• The price of Penofol insulation (foiled on one side) 3 mm thick - a roll of 36 sq. m costs 1600 rubles
• A Penofol roll of the same area, but 5 mm thick, will cost 1900 rubles
• Foil insulation Izodom 15 mm thick costs 100 rubles / sq. m
• The price of foil self-adhesive Penofol 2000 5 mm thick - the cost of a roll is about 2300 rubles. The width of the roll is 600 mm, the number of meters in it is 30

We warm the bath

To preserve heat in baths and saunas, and especially in steam rooms, reliable thermal insulation of the walls is required. It is quite difficult to do this, since these establishments are characterized by high humidity. Unprotected insulation quickly becomes saturated with moisture and loses its heat-insulating properties. This problem is solved by using foil for baths: you just need to cover the walls and ceilings of the room with it. Moreover, this foil can be used without insulation: the polished surface of the foil reflects heat recovery back into the room (thermos effect).

Bath foil is sold in rolls of 10 meters. The thickness of the material is 40 µm. The price of foil insulation for a bath is about 40 rubles / sq. m.

Video about foil insulation

Comparison of foil insulation Penofol and its analogues.