THERMAL INSULATION

MATERIALS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

 THERMAL INSULATION

The term thermal insulation can refer to materials used to

reduce the rate of heat transfer, or the methods and
processes used to reduce heat transfer.

Heat energy can be transferred by conduction, convection,

radiation or by actual movement of material from one location
to another

Insulators are used to minimize that transfer of heat energy. In

home insulation, the R-value (When the radiant barrier faces an
enclosed air space it becomes a reflective insulation with a
measurable R-value). is an indication of how well a material
insulates.
 Energy
Flow

By CONDUCTION
By RADIATION:
Through solids like
Through
metals, concrete and
transparent media
plastics, in which the
like glass.
energy is transmitted
by the vibration of
molecules.
By CONVECTION:
In fluids, such as
water and gases, in
which the energy is
carried by hotter
(lighter )fluid moving
relative to colder
(denser) fluid.
 INSULATION FROM CONDUCTION
Conduction occurs when materials are in direct
contact.
This increases energy flow through materials and
from one material to another.

Solid to solid
To slow down the transfer of heat by conduction
poor conductors are placed in between .

Gas to solid
To slow down the heat transfer between air and a
solid, a poor conductor of heat is placed in
between.

Liquid to solid
when you swim in water, cold water can lower
your body temperature through conduction. That
is why some swimmers wear rubber wet suits to
insulate them from the cold water.
 INSULATION FROM CONVECTION

Convection is transfer of heat when a fluid

is in motion.
Air and water do not readily conduct heat,
often transfer heat through their motion
Insulation from heat transfer by convection
is usually done by either preventing the
motion of the fluid or protecting from the
convection.

INSULATION FROM RADIATION

Hot and even warm objects radiate infra-

red electromagnetic waves, which can
heat up objects at a distance, as well as
lose energy themselves. Insulation against
heat transfer by radiation is usually done
by using reflective materials.
 CONDUCTIVE BARRIERS
Conduction is when heat can pass through.
The rate at which this occurs is proportional to:
• the thickness of the material,
• the cross-sectional area over which it travels,
• the temperature gradients between its surfaces and
• its thermal conductivity.

• Most gases including air are poor conductors, but good insulators.
Conductive barriers often incorporate a layer or pockets of air to
reduce heat transfer. Examples include Styrofoam and double
glazed windows.

• Conductive heat transfer is largely reduced by the presence of the

air-filled spaces (which has low thermal conductivity) rather than by
the material itself.

• Metals exhibit high thermal conductivity and allow heat

conduction to occur readily.
 CLIMATIC FACTORS
HOT COLD

In hot conditions, the greatest source of In cold conditions, the main aim is to
heat energy is solar radiation. This enter reduce heat flow out of the building.
buildings directly through windows or it The components of the building
can heat the building shell to a higher envelope - windows, roofs and walls, and
temperature than the ambient. Solar gain air infiltration are all important sources of
can be reduced by adequate shading heat loss. Losses can be reduced by
from the sun, light coloured roofing, good weatherization and bulk
and coatings and various types of insulation Indoor thermal radiation can
insulation for the rest of the envelope. also be retarded with spectrally selective
The Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient of (low-e,low emissivity) glazing. Some
standard single glazing is around 78- insulated glazing systems can double
85%.Specially coated glazing can to triple R values.
reduce SHGC to around 10%
 BUILDINGS

When well insulated, usually with fiberglass

insulation, a building:

• Is energy-efficient, thus saving the owner money.

provides more uniform temperatures throughout the
space.

• There is less temperature gradient both vertically

(between ankle height and head height) and
horizontally from exterior walls, ceilings and windows
to the interior walls, thus producing a more
comfortable occupant environment when outside
temperatures are extremely cold or hot.

• Has minimal recurring expense. Unlike heating and

cooling equipment, insulation is permanent and does
not require maintenance, upkeep, or adjustment.
 INSULATING MATERIALS

Insulation so as to prevent the conduction of

heat.

• radiation is a factor.

• A good insulator is a poor conductor.

• Less dense materials are better insulators.

denser the material, closer its atoms. That
means the transfer of energy of one atom to
the next is more effective.

• Thus, gases insulate better than liquids,

which insulate better than solids.
 POLYURETHANE FOAM
• Good thermal insulating properties.
• Low moisture-vapour permeability.
• High resistance to water absorption.
• High mechanical strength
• Low density.

• Relatively easy and economical to install.

• Polyurethane foam is effective as an insulator because of non-connected closed
micro cells, filled with inert gas.
• The main ways of applying are as rigid boards/ slabs and pre-formed pipes.
• The main applications are in chill rooms, ice stores and cold stores.
 PROPERTIES

• average density of 35 kg/m3.

• thermal conductivity of 0.022 kcal h-1 m-1 °C-1 

• permeance to water vapour of 16.7 g cm m-2 day-1 mmHg-1.

• Its resistance to compression varies according to the density of the foam, with 2-3
kg/cm2 for foams with densities of 35-40 kg/m3 and higher resistance for higher
densities

• These foams do not react with solvents used in the installation of fibreglass-
reinforced plastic (such as styrene formulated polyesters or acetone).

• expanded polyurethane foams are widely used, despite the fact that they are
significantly more expensive than expanded polystyrene.

• main technical limitation is they absorb more water than expanded polystyrene, and
can burn and produce toxic substances
 EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE

• Polymerization styrene can be made into white

pearls/beads of polystyrene plastic expanded to
form a foam known as expanded polystyrene.
• two main ways of making of expanded
polystyrene:
• by extrusion
• by molding of slabs.
• Extruded foams are made by mixing the
polystyrene with a solvent, adding a gas under
pressure and finally extruding the mixture to the
required thickness.
• mechanical resistance can vary from 0.4 to 1.1
kg/cm2.
• grades of foams available with densities from 10
to 33 kg/m3
TECHNICAL LIMITATIONS

• They are flammable, although fire-

retardant grades are available

• They break down gradually when

exposed to direct sunlight

• They react with solvents used in the

installation of fibreglass-reinforced plastic
as well as with other organic solvents.

• Rigid board panels can be made with

expanded polystyrene of different
densities, various thicknesses and sizes.
 EXPANDED PERLITE

 Perlite is a volcanic rock

 containing from 2 to 5 percent bonded water.
 chemically inert substance composed basically of silica and aluminium,
 but some impurities,, which are hygroscopic, can absorb moisture easily.
 depending on the storage conditions and the quality of the perlite, moisture
absorption can be minimized.
 The average density of expanded perlite is about 130 kg/m3
 thermal conductivity is about 0.04 kcal m-1 h-1 °C-1 (0.047 W m-1 °C-1).
 expanded by rapid heating.
 vaporization results in the expansion of the perlite particles, which have a
granular shape.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF PERLITE

The main parameters defining characteristics of

expanded perlite are:
•The granulometric characteristics of the mineral
before the expansion process;
•The temperature of expansion.
• Its good insulating efficiency, is only effective when
dry or in loose granular state.
• Granules tend to absorb moisture and settle,
becomes less effective with time.
• Common way of applying perlite is pouring and
spreading manually.
• fill small spaces than fibrous insulation materials
• Loose-fill insulation, such as expanded perlite, may
be used in combination with other insulation
•Caution is needed during handling and installation of
expanded perlite, as perlite dust can cause chronic
poisoning.
 FIBREGLASS
Fibreglass matting is also used as insulating
material and following advantages:

• high resistance to fire;

• high resistance to microbiological attack;

• good resistance to most chemicals;

• high heat resistance;

• available in a variety of presentations (e.g.

blankets, mats, loose fill and boards);

• low thermal conductivity

 AVAILABLE FORMS

• Fibreglass insulation is available in rolls of different

thickness, also called blankets and mats.
• The width of the blankets and mats will depend on the
way they are to be installed and some come faced on
one side with foil or Kraft paper, which serve as vapour
barriers.

Technical limitations of fibreglass matting as

insulation are:
• poor structural strength or compression resistance;
• a tendency to settle after installation if not properly
installed;
• its permeability to moisture.
• Rigid board panels can be made with compressed
fibreglass. These lightweight insulation boards have
relatively high R-values for their thickness.
 CORK
One of the oldest insulation materials used
commercially, and most widely used insulation
material

• Due to the scarcity of cork-producing trees, price is

relatively high in comparison with other insulating
materials.
• Use is very limited, with the exception of some
foundations to reduce the transmission of vibrations.
• available as expanded slabs or boards as well as in
granular form,
• Density varies from 110 to 130 kg/m3 
• Average mechanical resistance of 2.2 kg/m2.
• Used up to temperatures of 65 °C.
• Good thermal insulating effectiveness, fairly
resistant to compression and difficult to burn.
• Technical limitation is the tendency to absorb
moisture
 INSULATED CONCRETE BLOCKS
• Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are formwork for concrete that stays in place as
permanent building insulation for energy-efficient, cast-in-place, reinforced concrete
walls, floors, and roofs.

• The forms are interlocking modular units that are dry-stacked (without mortar) and filled
with concrete. The forms lock together somewhat like Lego bricks and serve to create a
form for the structural walls of a building.

• Concrete is pumped into the cavity to form the structural element of the walls. Usually
reinforcing steel (rebar) is added before concrete placement to give the resulting walls
flexural strength, similar to bridges and high-rise buildings made of concrete (see
Reinforced concrete).
 VERMICULITE
Vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands with the
application of heat.
The expansion process is called exfoliation and it is
routinely accomplished in purpose-designed commercial
furnaces. Vermiculite is formed by hydration of certain
basaltic minerals.

USES

In moulded shapes, bonded with sodium silicate for use in:

• high-temperature insulation
• refractory insulation
• fireproofing of structural steel and pipes
• As loose-fill insulation
packing material, valued for its high absorbency .
• Means to permit slow cooling of hot pieces in glassblowing
lamp work, steelwork, and glass bead making
Comparison of typical insulation at air temperatures
of 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C
(thickness rounded up to nearest 5 mm)
 Comparison of the various insulations
The selection of the optimum insulation thickness for fish holds will depend on
such factors :
Insulating material “R” value per inch (2.54 Advantages Disadvantages
cm)
Polyurethane, board 6.25 Very good R-value, can be Not always easily
used with fibreglass resins available, relatively
expensive
Polyurethane, spray on 7.0 Very good R-value, can be Not always easily
used with fibreglass resins, available, expensive,
easy application with spray requires special spray
equipment equipment
Polyurethane, poured (two- 7.0 Very good R-value, can be Not always easily
part chemical) used with fibreglass resins available, expensive,
requires very careful
volume calculations
Polystyrene, sheets (smooth) 5.0 Readily available, low cost, Cannot be used with
Trade name “Styrofoam” reasonable R-value fibreglass resins unless
protected, easily damaged
Polystyrene, foamed in place 3.75 to 4.0 Reasonable R-values, Cannot be used with
and expanded moulded lower cost than smooth fibreglass resins unless
beads. Known as Isopor, surfaced sheets protected, easily damaged
Polypor, etc.
Cork board 3.33 Availability in many Lower R-values than
markets, reasonable polyurethane for
cost, can be covered styrene foams
with fibreglass
Fibreglass wool batts 3.3 Low cost, ease of Readily absorbs water
installation or other fluids, loses
insulating value when
wet
Rock wool batts 3.7 As above As above
Wood shavings 2.2 Readily available, low Absorbs moisture and
cost loses R-values when
wet, decays
Sawdust 2.44 Readily available, low Absorbs moisture and
cost loses R-value when
wet, packs down under
vibration
Straw Readily available, low Absorbs moisture and
cost loses R-value when
wet, host to insects,
etc.
Air space 1.0 approx. No cost Has to be completely
sealed to prevent air
circulation causing
heat infiltration
GROUP MEMBERS:

VENUS KASHYAP
RIMALJEET
TEJASI GADKARI
NIKITA KAKKAR