Polystyrene (Details and specifications for Polystyrene)
This is one of the most common and oldest insulating mediums. Polystyrene is made up of small beads and has an open cell formation; it is very light and is a very versatile medium.
Polystyrene sections come preformed and can also be encapsulated in foil to Mylar (vapour barrier). The sections are secured to the various components using a contact adhesive glue. The insulation is then covered using a mechanical barrier, determined by the customer’s operational requirements. Various other vapour barriers, such as bitumen with membrane, are also be used to limit moisture transmission.
Advantages and Characteristics of Polystyrene
- Comes in a density varying from 15kg/m³ to 32kg/m³.
- Is very versatile, light and easy to shape.
- Does not propagate flame spread, as it shrinks away from the heat source.
- Has a thermal conductivity of between 0.033 W/mK to 0.04 W/mK.
- Has an operating range between -150°C and +80°C.
Specifications
| Density (kg/m³) | 15-17 | 22-26 |
| Compressive Strength (kPa) | 85 | 170 |
| Tensile Strength (kPa) | 200 | 310 |
| Thermal conductivity @ 10ºC (W/mk) | 0.036 | 0.034 |
| Water absorption (%) | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Temperature Range (ºC) | -120ºC to +80ºC | -120ºC to +80ºC |
Preformed Polystyrene section