Thermal insulation is a mandatory stage in the construction of private and multi-storey buildings, engineering structures, utility and office buildings. The modern market offers many materials for this event. Extruded polystyrene foam Technonikol is in the greatest demand. The insulation has a number of high performance characteristics, is produced in various designs, which provides it with a wide range of applications at objects of a wide variety of purposes.
Features and differences
Extruded polystyrene TechnoNIKOL is a porous substance with low density and low specific gravity. Plates are obtained by foaming, heating the polymer raw material and then passing it through an extruder. In the equipment, the mass is given a given shape, after which it cools and is cut into plates. Sheets are packed, transported to the finished product warehouse, and then sent for sale.
Unlike foam, consisting of compressed balls, TechnoNIKOL extruded polystyrene foam is a monolithic substance with closed inner cells. The composition of the material is homogeneous throughout the volume, the pore diameter varies in the range of 0.1-0.2 mm. The versatility of the composition of the material contributed to the creation of many of its varieties, differing in technical indicators.
Main types
The following brands of insulation are presented on the construction market:
- TechnoNIKOL Carbon Prof. This product has a high pressure and flexural strength. Plates are used in structures subject to strong mechanical stress. The scope of application extends to all levels of residential and commercial buildings.
- XPS. Extruded polystyrene foam plates TechnoNIKOL XPS are designed specifically for the private sector. The introduction of nanographite into the composition of the feedstock provides high thermal insulation properties with a small thickness of the slabs. The material is environmentally friendly and safe.
- XPS Carbon. Carbon has been added to the material, resulting in increased material strength and UV resistance. Extruded polystyrene foam TechnoNIKOL XPS Carbon 35 300 has found wide application in the construction of facilities experiencing increased vertical loads - landing strips, railways and highways.
- XPS CARBON Eco Drain. The products are equipped with drainage gutters for efficient condensate drainage and ventilation of structures. Plates are used for insulating roofs and foundations without additional finishing.
- Technoplex. It is a low-cost general purpose product. Designed for interior work with subsequent finishing.
When choosing a heater, you need to build on the conditions in which it will be used, established by GOST and SNiP construction standards. In all cases, it is necessary to take into account the technical characteristics of the material, adhere to the price-quality criterion.
Physical and mechanical characteristics
TechnoNIKOL expanded polystyrene plates have a wide range of applications due to their unique characteristics.
Basic physical and mathematical characteristics of the material:
- thermal conductivity coefficient - 0.030-0.035 W / mK;
- vapor permeability - up to 0.01 mg / m × h × Pa;
- moisture absorption - up to 0.2% of the volume;
- elasticity - up to 17 MPa;
- bending strength - from 0.35 MPa;
- service life - 40-50 years;
- thickness - 20 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm;
- length - 1180 mm, 120 mm, 2380 mm;
- width - 580 mm, 600 mm.
The manufacturer produces slabs with flat and quarter edges, smooth and rough surface.
Advantages and disadvantages
TechnoNIKOL products are in high demand among private developers and in the construction of industrial facilities.
This popularity is due to the following advantages of the material:
- low thermal conductivity;
- waterproofness;
- immunity to the development of fungus and mold;
- resistance to compression and bending loads;
- preservation of shape and volume throughout the entire service life;
- low specific gravity;
- simplicity and ease of installation;
- long service life;
- environmental Safety;
- wide range of application temperatures (± 75 ° C).
The peculiarity of the polymer is that insects, birds and animals avoid it.
The material also has drawbacks. It is flammable and, when ignited, releases toxic substances harmful to human health. Some brands are unstable to ultraviolet light, which limits the conditions for their storage and use.
Features of installation of extruded polystyrene foam TechnoNIKOL
Warming with expanded polystyrene is a fairly simple task that even a beginner can handle.
To work, you will need the following tools and materials:
- puncher;
- hammer, hacksaw;
- scissors, level, tape measure;
- notched and even trowel;
- paint brush;
- steel profile, plastic corners; serpyanka mesh;
- tile adhesive, facade plaster, paint.
Extruded polystyrene foam should be glued in the following sequence:
- Cleaning the base from dirt, leveling, strengthening the surface with a primer.
- Setting up a start profile. It is needed to give an initial level to the masonry and prevent slabs from sliding along the wall.
- Kneading the glue, applying the solution to the plate. This can be done over the entire surface or pointwise.
- Laying out the first and subsequent rows. The gaps formed at the edges are measured, after which the cut fragments are inserted into them.
- Finishing the corners of the house with plastic corners with a mesh. Sealing the remaining gaps with glue or polyurethane foam.
- Drilling through holes in the walls through the expanded polystyrene attached to them. Holes are made in the corners and in the middle of the fragments with an interval of 70-90 cm.
- Driving disc dowels into the holes. They are embedded in polystyrene by 1-2 mm.
- Surface reinforcement. A plastic mesh is glued to it. The stripes are superimposed on the previous ones by 15-20 cm.
- Insulation plaster. A layer with a thickness of 3-5 mm is applied.
- Primer and surface painting.
Decorative panels, siding or clinker tiles can be used as a topcoat. The choice is determined by the design of the building and its operating conditions.
Scope of application
Expanded polystyrene Technoniikol is used to solve a wide variety of construction tasks of any complexity. Due to its unique properties, the material can be used for indoor and outdoor work in all climatic zones of the country.
The scope of application of insulation affects the following areas of activity:
- Wall insulation. In most cases, the "wet facade" technology is used. However, EPPS perfectly fulfills the task of insulating buildings as part of ventilated facades.
- Thermal insulation of floors.The resistance of the material to pressure allows it to be glued directly onto concrete slabs without arranging a frame. After fixing the substrate, you can immediately lay laminate, parquet, engineered board on it. The polymer is strong enough not to deform under load.
- Thermal insulation works in low-rise construction. Here, insulation is used starting from the zero level. They are glued over the foundation, basement level, walls, floors and ceilings, laid under the blind area.
- Creation of insulated roofs. Slabs are used as intermediate layers between load-bearing structures and claddings. This approach eliminates condensation and heat loss through roofs.
- Road construction. Expanded polystyrene has proven itself well when laying highways in permafrost conditions. Thanks to this insulation, the penetration of heat into the ground, its thawing and subsidence is excluded.
Also Technonikol is used in the manufacture of bodies for insulated vehicles and refrigeration equipment.
