- Extruded polystyrene (XPS)
- Expanded polystyrene (EPS)
- Rockwool
- Mineral rockwool
Insulation defines the prevention of the negative impact heat transfer can have on different items in a place, which are either at close contact or at a distance, allowing interaction from the sun rays. The use of thermal insulation products aims at minimizing thermal flow among objects or spaces with different temperatures. Insulation can decrease thermal transmission by blocking or reflecting energy rather than absorbing it.
- Extruded polystyrene (XPS):
Extruded polystyrene (Styrofoam) is a lightweight insulation product with polystyrene as a base. It is manufactured with extrusion in the form of panels and the tiny enclosed cavities that can trap air endow them insulation properties. Polystyrene’s main feature is its clogged pores and the subsequent lack of water absorption, something that enables application even with a high degree of humidity. As mentioned before, polystyrene is produced with extrusion-during which thermoplastic polystyrene is polymerized. A large amount of the final product is a propellant gas with low thermal conductivity index and fire-hindering qualities.
- Expanded polystyrene (EPS):
Expanded polystyrene (DOW, FIBRAN, etc.) is a very lightweight insulation product used in the building construction as well as other sectors, too. It is produced from thermoplastic polystyrole granules, which grow bigger into spheres with expansion and gradually expand even more to form a single unit. Scientifically the correct term is “expanded polystyrene” because the main substance of EPS derives from polymerization of styrene. In the market simply the name “polystyrene” seems to have prevailed. It is an outstanding insulation product with a wide spectrum of uses. Apart from insulation and construction it can also be used in decoration and packaging.
- Rockwool:
Rockwool is a fibered insulation material used in the construction world, which has other technical applications, as well. It consists of fibers of silicon-aluminum oxide bearing insulating and soundproofing properties. Rockwool is non-flammable and as its name suggests it is produced from rock meltdown at 1550-1600 0C. It forms fibers of 6-20 mm diameter with special configuration.
- Mineral Rockwool:
Mineral insulation rockwool is a material with fibers, whose general characteristic is their inorganic composition making it non-combustible. The name “mineral rockwool” is used by the European Union legislation for the description of inorganic, fibered, insulation materials. The production of such materials is achieved through fusion of their elements at extreme temperatures when very thin inorganic fibers are created either in the form of a shape less bulk, blanket rolls or panels.
