After the discovery of expanded polystyrene in the 1950s, the product range of materials based on this polymer began to gradually and continuously expand and establish itself. Initially, it was used primarily as a safety packaging material, but later the qualities of this material ensured its application in other areas of industry.
The use of expanded polystyrene in construction began in the 1970s, with modern construction practice widely advocating the design and implementation of expanded polystyrene-based thermal insulation systems for residential, public and industrial buildings.
The different manufacturing technology determines the two main varieties of expanded polystyrene, namely - expanded /EPS/ and extruded /XPS/. It also accounts for the differences in their construction qualities.
EPS has gained widespread popularity as styrofoam, and XPS as fiberboard, but these are actually trademarks. However, we will allow ourselves to use them as synonyms for insulation boards for the convenience of the user.
HOW IS STERYOPOLYESTER MADE?
The starting material for the production of polystyrene is polystyrene beads, which, mixed with the appropriate expanding agents (most often pentane), are converted into an easily moldable foam, from which thermal insulation boards, sheets, profiles and packaging forms are made. During the expansion, a fine-grained microporous lattice of small visible polystyrene foam spheres is obtained, with different densities and good connectivity.
HOW TO CHOOSE EPS BOARDS?
The most important characteristic when choosing EPS insulation boards should be their density. In direct dependence on the density of expanded polystyrene is its mechanical strength, as well as its durability and, last but not least, the lower thermal conductivity. Usually, the offered facade expanded polystyrene has a density of 12 to 30 kg/m3 /it is recommended to use one with a density of at least 15-18 kg/m3/. The corresponding load-bearing capacity is approximately 100-400 kPa, and with a higher density, the thermal insulation board will be stiffer. The thermal conductivity coefficient is the main indicator for assessing the insulation capabilities, and in the case of polystyrene, its value depends precisely on the structure of the micropores and the density of the material. It varies in the range of 0.030-0.045W/m.°C, with the lower limit meaning reduced thermal conductivity and increased thermal insulation capacity and vice versa. These indicators depend on the amount of air trapped in the cells of the polystyrene foam (usually over 90% of the volume of the material), as well as on the size and arrangement of the cells themselves.
PROS AND CONS OF FOAM
EPS is a hydrophobic material, resistant to the physical and chemical effects of water. However, in situations where it is in contact with pressurized water or water vapor under pressure, water saturation of the pores is possible, i.e. the replacement of the air in them with water, which leads to a significant loss of the thermal insulation properties of the material as a whole due to the higher thermal conductivity of water. Styrofoam has some noise and impact resistance, but it is far from the sound insulation capabilities offered by mineral wool, for example. It retains its physical properties unchanged for a period of 15-20 years at operating temperatures from -20°C to +50°C and cyclic freezing and thawing. As an organic polymer, EPS is relatively flammable and although it has the property of being extinguished, the necessary minimum fire protection must be provided when laying it. Regarding its chemical properties, EPS has good resistance to the effects of aqueous solutions of salts and alkaloids, but is incompatible with most organic solvents. Liquid petroleum derivatives and aromatic alcohols may also have adverse reactions and effects.
An important property of polystyrene is that it is recyclable. In addition, it does not emit harmful substances under operating conditions, which makes it environmentally safe.
EPS APPLICATION
EPS is most widely used in the implementation of thermal insulation of walls, because due to its good vapor permeability it ensures "breathing" of the premises in buildings. It is also very often used in the insulation of warm roofs due to its good mechanical resistance. It is also used for partial insulation of facades by covering only the thermal bridges. To ensure good protection of the element that determines the presence of a thermal bridge (most often a reinforced concrete column or slab), the condition must be met that the insulation does not cover this element tightly, but is of a significantly greater width.
The range of EPS insulation boards includes an exceptional variety of sizes and thicknesses, and in most cases, a separate layer with a thickness of 40-50 mm to 100 mm is sufficient to provide the necessary thermal insulation, depending on the thickness and building material of the insulated wall. The insulation boards are installed by gluing, usually with proprietary mixtures from the manufacturer, with the role of a protective coating being performed by mineral putty on a fiberglass mesh. EPS boards are also used as an intermediate layer in double walls. In this case, the protective coating is a brick wall “on a rib”, which ensures much greater durability of the wall. For roofs, it is mandatory to perform high-quality waterproofing on the boards, which will not allow them to be compromised by water or steam entering their structure.
EPS, like mineral wool, is a preferred material for the production of ready-made three-layer facade panels, which are widely used in the construction of public buildings.
HOW IS INSULATION MADE WITH STYROFOAM?
The plates are glued and additionally reinforced with special plastic dowels for bricks and concrete with a length of 115 mm or 135 mm - up to 6 pcs. per sq. m. A layer of putty is applied with a notched trowel and the reinforcing mesh is immersed in it. Then the putty is smoothed until the mesh is completely covered. Most often, the putty is a ready-made powder adhesive on a cement basis, which is mixed with water and prepared on site. The same material is also used for gluing the plates. The approximate consumption of adhesive for gluing the plates is 3.5–4.5 kg/sq. m, and for the putty - 3 kg/sq. m. The putty is primed (consumption about 0.3 kg/sq. m) and decorative thin-layer plaster is applied on top of it at a consumption of about 3 kg/sq. m.
Thermal insulation with polystyrene is cheaper, due to its lower price compared to solid mineral wool slabs.
EPS + XPS = RELIABLE THERMAL INSULATION
Although similar in origin, the two types of expanded polystyrene used in construction find different applications for effective thermal insulation of individual parts of the building. The rational combination of the two materials, combined with their undeniable thermal insulation qualities, is a prerequisite for the reliable insulation of the building in terms of heat exchange with the environment.
According to research, obtaining energy used for household needs is associated with the release of a significant percentage of the total mass of harmful emissions of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides.
No harmful substances are released during the production of EPS and XPS, so building a thermal insulation system from expanded polystyrene not only saves energy costs, quickly returning the initial investment, but also plays an important role in protecting the natural environment.
Building thermal insulation based on expanded polystyrene reduces energy costs by 2/3, which, combined with the possibility of full recycling, the lack of harmful emissions even during combustion, and the speed of installation, makes it a preferred and safe material.
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
We offer EPS thermal insulation boards with dimensions of 1000x500 mm and seven different thicknesses: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80 and 100 mm. In this product group, we also offer thermal rolls with polystyrene insulation wallpapers.
The prices of Styrofoam and thermal insulation are affordable.
