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Thermal Insulation Materials Market: An Overview of Commonly Used Materials

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Vedant B
Thermal Insulation Materials Market: An Overview of Commonly Used Materials

Thermal insulation refers to materials used to slow down the transfer of heat between objects or spaces of different temperatures. Different insulation materials are used depending on the temperature range and application. The key property looked for in insulation materials is their ability to reduce heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation.


Mineral Wool Insulation

Mineral wool is one of the most widely used Thermal Insulation Materials. It is made from molten stone, slag, or rock processed into fine filaments along with additives like binder resins. Mineral wool comes in fibrous mats or blankets and is available as slabstock, rigid boards, loose-fill, and spray forms. It provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties with resistance to moisture, corrosion and microbial growth. Mineral wool has a high melting point and works effectively within temperature ranges of -200°C to 650°C. Common applications of mineral wool include insulation of attics, walls, pipes, ducts, and industrial ovens/furnaces for its fire resistance.

Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose insulation is produced from 80–90% recycled newspaper fibres and fire-resistant additives like borate salts. It is installed as loose-fill into wall cavities or attics through specialized equipment. Cellulose insulation offers good acoustic properties and fire resistance. However, it can accumulate moisture if porous building materials like gypsum board are not used. Cellulose works best in temperature ranges of -50°C to 80°C and is a preferred choice for roof and attic spaces in residential construction. Some studies have raised concerns over formaldehyde emissions from binders in cheaper cellulose products.

Polystyrene Insulation

Polystyrene comes as rigid extruded (XPS) or expanded (EPS) foam boards. XPS foam is water-resistant, durable, and has small closed cells. It provides insulation in -50°C to 75°C temperature range with an R-value of R5 per inch. XPS is used as insulation under concrete foundations and in roofing systems. EPS foam has closed cells and a lower density/higher R-value than XPS but is more prone to moisture damage. It works from -60°C to 80°C and finds applications as insulation for walls, attics, pipes, and coolers/freezers. Polystyrene products are recyclable, cost-effective but emit styrene monomer during manufacture and disposal.

Polyisocyanurate Insulation

Polyisocyanurate (Polyiso) is a rigid foam board made from isocyanurate resin and polyester polyols. It offers higher R-values compared to XPS and EPS with effective insulation from -100°C to 120°C temperature range. Polyiso exhibits excellent fire resistance, moisture resistance and long-term thermal stability. The foil facing on one side makes it an effective vapour retarder. Common uses of Polyiso include roof insulation, exterior sheathing on walls, and rigid insulation for pipes and tanks. It provides uniform insulation, reduces heat loss/gain effectively and is easily cut with regular tools for installation.

Phenolic Insulation

Phenolic insulation is stronger than regular polystyrene insulation and offers fire resistance up to 300°F. It is available as rigid foam sheets or boards made from phenol-formaldehyde resins. Phenolic foam exhibits lower heat conduction and higher R-values than common glass or mineral wool insulation materials. It works effectively from -297°F to 300°F and is used to insulate ovens, pipes, ducts, cold storage, and industrial equipment. Phenolic insulation resists moisture, molds and exhibits no slump or sag under continuous high temperatures. However, it is more expensive than mineral wool or polystyrene insulations.

Glass and Fiber Glass Insulation

Fiber glass and glass wool are produced by melting mineral materials like sand, recycled glass or furnace slag into a molten mass and then fiberizing it. These fibers constitute 65-85% of the insulation material by weight. The fibers are non-irritating, low density and provide excellent insulation against heat, cold, fire, and corrosion. Fiber glass wool comes as rigid boards, rolls, blankets or as loose-fill material. It works in temperature ranges of -260°F to 650°F. Fiber glass is an affordable option commonly used to insulate attics, walls, ducts and industrial ovens due to its high temperatures tolerance. However, fiber glass can cause irritation during direct handling.

Aerogel Insulation

Aerogel is an extremely porous solid synthesized from gel in which the liquid component of the gel has been replaced with gas. Aerogel insulation has exceptionally low thermal conductivity, low bulk density and porosity up to 99.8%. Its R-value as an insulation material can exceed R-40 per inch. Some types like silica aerogel particles or carbon aerogel blanket can provide insulation even in cryogenic temperatures up to 1000°C. Aerogel finds applications in environments where space and weight are critical factors like high-performance building facades, pipes, and cryogenic storage tanks. However, its high production costs compared to conventional materials currently limit large-scale commercial usage.

Judicious selection of insulation material is important considering the temperature extremes and other performance requirements like fire resistance, moisture tolerance, cost-effectiveness, and ease of installation for optimal insulation performance. Advances in insulating materials will continue to play a crucial role in energy conservation and reducing environmental impacts of the built environment.

 

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