Penoplex or expanded polystyrene is used to protect the house from heat loss. Both materials are produced by foaming polystyrene, but penoplex undergoes additional processing by extrusion. Insulation properties differ, they have different thermal conductivity, moisture permeability, strength and are used on different surfaces.
Production of foam and polystyrene foam
The second name of the penoplex is extruded polystyrene foam. Polyfoam undergoes the technical process of remelting and pressing in units. The mass of foam is put into the extruder and processed by pressure and temperature. Melting turns the feedstock into foam with small air cells.
The technology for the production of expanded polystyrene consists in foaming the granules of raw materials in a container under steam pressure. The enlarged granules are dried and sintered into a total mass in special forms under pressure. The resulting blocks are kept from 15 to 30 days for natural drying from moisture, then cut into slabs.
The production of materials takes place according to technological cycles and at the output we obtain insulation materials with differences in basic characteristics.
General properties
Common is the raw material that is used in the production of materials. Known polymers (plastics) are used.
Feedstock category:
- polyurethane heterochain polymers;
- polyvinylchloride;
- polystyrene;
- urea - formaldehyde.
Both materials have a common disadvantage - they are impermeable to steam and air. Expanded polystyrene and polystyrene foam work equally disadvantageously as insulation from noise. They protect against impact knocking on the floor or wall, but do not remove the general hum.
Penoplex treated with impregnations and expanded polystyrene belong to the average category of danger in a fire, they equally emit chemical substances and fade out within a certain time. Animals do not use insulation for food; in the thickness of the insulation, an environment is not created for the development of bacteria and fungi. Rodents destroy materials if they restrict food access.
Expanded polystyrene and polystyrene foam are lightweight and do not weigh down the supporting structures, they are easy to cut and simply stick to the surface. The materials are mounted without the use of personal protective equipment.
Differences in characteristics
The structure of the foam is represented by small cells (less than 1 mm), which have insulated shells. The air in them is not in contact with the total mass. Expanded polystyrene consists of large and small balls, which are connected by sintering when heated, there are conditional voids between them.
Production
When released, Penoplex undergoes the stage of foaming and extrusion. The production technology was developed in the USA over 50 years ago. The material is obtained by combining polystyrene particles under the influence of temperature and high pressure. In the process, a foaming component is added in the form of a mixture of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and light freons.
The melt is forced through a molding apparatus (extruder). The mass is acted upon by forces that form the internal structure of the material in the form of small cells. In the slabs, the residual freon is replaced by air. Sheets with a homogeneous structure are obtained.
For the production of expanded polystyrene, polystyrene particles are placed in a hopper, where high temperature and pressure transform them into spherical granules. The foaming is repeated several times to increase the size of the balls. The dried elements are fed to molding, where the granules are glued together in a block under steam in a unit.
Steam treatment leads to the appearance of excess moisture in the mass of the material, so the blocks are dried in natural conditions. Large products are cut to specified dimensions vertically and horizontally on sawmills.
Thermal conductivity
The thermal conductivity parameter affects the thickness of the material. Penoplex is characterized by a better indicator than expanded polystyrene. The first material has a denser structure, which determines the ability to protect the building from internal heat loss.
Material characteristics:
- Penoplex has a heat conduction coefficient of 0.028 - 0.039 W / m.K. The density of the insulator is from 26 to 45 kg / m3. Temperature range -50 - + 75 ° С.
- Expanded polystyrene has a thermal conductivity of 0.336 - 0.40 W / m.K in dry form. The density of the insulation is from 11 to 35 kg / m3, depending on the modification. Works at temperatures from -40 to + 70 ° C.
If internal partitions and walls are insulated in warm climates, polystyrene foam is used, since there is no need for strong thermal insulation. In frosty climates and high humidity, penoplex is used.
Moisture permeability and vapor permeability
The vapor permeability indicator shows the amount of air passing through a panel of a selected thickness for a certain time at the same pressure outside and inside. Moisture permeability indicates the ability of the insulation to absorb and retain water inside the mass.
Difference in material performance:
- Penoplex has a vapor permeability of 0.18 - 0.2 mg / m.h. Pa, in 24 hours in water it absorbs 0.2% of the volume;
- expanded polystyrene is characterized by a vapor permeability of 0.16 - 0.21 mg / m.h. Pa, per day absorbs up to 1% of liquid from the total weight.
Increased water absorption deteriorates the quality of the insulator, while the heat conductivity increases, and the strength decreases. Moisture-laden materials are destroyed when frozen. water at negative temperatures expands and tears the structure.
Strength
The strength indicator characterizes the property of the insulation to deform under the action of force. The strength of expanded polystyrene is lower due to the fact that the structure contains small particles and it crumbles.
Difference in technical characteristics:
- foam strength in compression - 0.26 - 0.46 N / mm², bending - 0.37 - 0.95 MPa;
- the strength of expanded polystyrene in compression is 0.045 - 0.117 MPa, in bending - 0.06 - 0.3 MPa.
A special type of foam with a high tensile strength and high density (about 45 kg / m3) is used to insulate airfield strips, roads and railway tracks. The strength of the foam allows it to be used in the insulation of floors that can be walked on.
Terms of service
The reason for the destruction of the material is the influence of the environment, for example, high humidity, sunlight. The insulation decomposes when exposed to harmful vapors from the finishing layers or through direct contact with aggressive components.
- Penoplex insulates from the cold for 50 - 80 years.
- Expanded polystyrene remains in working order for 30-50 years.
Materials based on polyurethane foam do not rot.
Price
Penoplex and expanded polystyrene are available in different types and sizes. The difference lies in the thickness and dimensions of the panels.
The cost of certain groups of goods:
- Penoplex Comfort 12.94 m2, 18 sheets, size 1200 x 600 x 20 mm - price 1,089 - 1,352 rubles. for packaging;
- Penoplex Comfort 50 for the roof, size 1200 x 600 x 50 mm - price 153 rubles. per sheet;
- Penoplex Comfort 100 for the roof, size 1200 x 600 x 100 mm - price 362 rubles. per sheet;
- polystyrene PPS-30 (PSB-S 35T) (density 30.0 kg / m3), size 1000 x 2000 x 40mm; 1200 x 2000 x 40mm - 5250 rubles. per cubic meter.
A cubic meter of expanded polystyrene costs almost 1.5 times less than polystyrene foam, so the first option is more often chosen if the operating conditions allow.
Applications of materials
Penoplex is used for indoor or outdoor insulation work. The dense material ensures the strength of the layer and is easily put into the installation position using glue, mastic or construction hardware. The surface of the insulator is finished with plaster, plastic, siding for environmental protection. The material is used for insulating foundations, roofs, facades, floors, since it has low water absorption.
Polyfoam is used in low humidity conditions, for example, when insulating internal and external walls, partitions, and ceilings. An additional layer of waterproofing is required when insulating foundations in order to preserve the thermal insulation properties of expanded polystyrene.
The choice between expanded polystyrene and expanded polystyrene depends on the operating conditions of the material. The best option is purchased by the owner after consulting a specialist. There are designs that require a material of increased strength and high protective characteristics. In other conditions, foam can be useful as a more acceptable type of insulator in terms of cost.
