Styrofoam- this is a modern insulation, which consists of many bubbles placed in thin shells of polystyrene in a ratio of 2% polystyrene to 98% air.

The result is material like foam, due to which it was called polystyrene foam.

The air is hermetically sealed inside the bubbles, so the material retains heat well and is one of the most popular heaters. It is used for thermal insulation of roofs, floors, ceilings and walls of buildings and various structures.

Depending on the production technology of PPS (expanded polystyrene) subdivided into 4 types:

• Non-pressed or regular expanded polystyrene - PSB. Most often used for wall insulation. The modified version is designated PSB-S. This material is less flammable. It is produced with different densities - from 15 to 50 kg/m³. In the common people, non-pressed polystyrene foam is often called, but in fact, these are materials of different properties and characteristics obtained from the same raw material.

• Extruded or extruded polystyrene foam - XPS. It is much stronger than PSB and surpasses it in all respects, although it costs more. With proper installation, its service life is up to 50 years. Has high compressive strength. It is placed under concrete floors or cement-sand screeds.

• Press - PS-1 or PS-4.
• autoclaved.

Options 3 and 4 were not widely used.

Thanks to its strength and practical zero water absorption EPPS is best used for warming the basement of buildings, as well as roofs, walls, facades and floors of the first floors.

He possesses the best thermal insulation properties compared to conventional PPP due to its greater density.

Regular PPP It is used for warming the foundations of buildings, apartments, balconies, wagons, as well as for thermal and waterproofing of underground communication lines.

Indicator values thermal conductivity, vapor permeability, deformation under compressive load and others for extruded and conventional PPS are specified in GOST 56148-2014 and GOST 32310-2012.

As for the manufacturers of PPS, then the most popular the European companies "Polimeri Europa", "Nova Chemicals", "Styrochem", "BASF", as well as the Russian companies "Penoplex" and "TechnoNIKOL" are considered.

Sheet dimensions non-pressed polystyrene foam - BSP with a density of 15, 25, 35 kg / m³ are prescribed in GOST 15588-86. The value of the sheet length varies in the range from 900 to 5000 mm, width - 500-1300 mm with an interval of 50 mm. Thickness - from 20 to 500 mm in increments of 10 units.

Most often companies offer sheets standard sizes:

• 100cm×100cm;
• 100cm×50cm;
• 200cm×100cm.

Sheet thickness can be: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100 mm.

dew point for insulation

Dew point- This is an indicator of the temperature at which condensation begins to fall on the surface. This point can be in various places - inside, outside or closer to any surface.

When installing expanded polystyrene plates outside the house with a properly selected thickness, the dew point will be in the insulation. In this case, the wall will always remain dry. And if the PPS was taken with a smaller thickness than it should be according to the heat engineering calculation, then dew point may be:

• Between the central part of the wall and the outer. In this case, the wall will almost always be dry.
• Closer to the inner surface. With the onset of cold weather, dew will fall.
• Right on the inside. In winter, the wall will be regularly wet.

Insulation of the walls of the PPS from the inside can not always be carried out, as it requires many conditions:

• Ventilation installations in accordance with all norms for a particular room.
• Proper operation of the heating system.
• The presence of insulation for all structures of the house.
• The wall must always remain dry.
• And others.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Styrofoam has several advantages such as low thermal conductivity and vapor permeability, does not absorb moisture, durable, light weight, easy to process and install, inexpensive.

Consider the main indicators that make the material very popular and in demand for warming houses and cottages.

Low thermal conductivity- this is the most important indicator when choosing a heater. Conventional polystyrene foam has a value of 0.032 to 0.044 watts per meter per Kelvin, and the greater the density of the material, the lower the thermal conductivity. The extruded version has a density of 45 kg / m³ and has the lowest thermal conductivity of all PPS (according to GOST 31924-2011).

Does not absorb moisture. Extruded PPS absorbs only 0.4% upon contact with moisture, as it is made by extrusion. Conventional polystyrene foam has a rate of 4%.

Low vapor permeability. For conventional PPS, the vapor permeability is zero, and for extruded PPS, it is 0.01 kg per meter-hour-Pascal. This can be explained by the fact that the formation of XPS occurs by cutting, and steam penetrates into the cells through these cuts. And ordinary polystyrene foam is most often not cut.

Strength. PPS withstands significant loads, and extruded PPS is more durable due to a stronger bond between molecules. The static bending strength index for XPS is 0.4-1 kg per cm², and for a conventional one it is 0.02-0.2 kg per cm².

Styrofoam withstands strong compression and significant tearing force.

Ease of processing and ease of installation. Expanded polystyrene is perfectly cut with a paint knife, so the installation of plates is not difficult.

There are few cons of the material, but still they are:

• Harm to health. At first glance, the material is considered environmentally friendly, since freon, which destroys the Earth's ozone layer, is not used for its manufacture. But PPS in the air begins to oxidize, while releasing harmful substances - benzene, formaldehyde and ethyl alcohol.
• combustibility. Many manufacturers claim that the material is not subject to combustion due to the flame retardants included in its composition. But this contradicts GOST 30244-94, in which PPP is classified as the most dangerous substance with 3 and 4 flammability classes. Experiments show that PPS with a flame retardant burns no worse than polystyrene foam without them. Plus, the flame retardant properties become worse over time.
• Destruction under the influence of UV rays and precipitation. Expanded polystyrene does not tolerate direct sunlight, they make PPS less elastic and durable. It is also necessary to cover it with plaster or other material from snow and rain. In this case, it will last at least 30 years.

Cutting at home

Cut PPS in an apartment setting does not present much difficulty. The use of a conventional knife for these purposes is ineffective, since the material crumbles easily.

Better apply painting knife. It is necessary to draw a line with a ruler on 2 sides of the sheet, and make an incision with a knife. Then it remains to take the sheet and break it along the incision.

Can use a string- heated nichrome wire. It cuts material very well. But you will need to assemble a small machine with a transformer, a stretched thread and a spring.

Advice: for cutting polystyrene foam at home, you can use a grinder with a thin disc for metal. And with foam plastic with a width of more than 80 cm, you can use a hacksaw for wood with fine teeth.

Many collect at home homemade machine for cutting PPS, which allows you to make shapes of various shapes.

Styrofoam Adhesive

To date, the market for adhesives is represented by manufacturers such as Ceresit, Knauf, TechnoNIKOL and others. Glue must have these properties how:

• water resistance;
• resistance to temperature changes;
• high adhesion force;
• lack of runoff from the surface;
• lack of toxicity.

A hallmark of the PPS is a weak resistance to some chemicals, so the composition of the adhesive should not include:

• petrol;
• kerosene;
• formaldehydes;
• acetone;
• epoxy resins.

Fixing plates to walls can be done with:

• polyurethane adhesive;
• dry mixes.

Polyurethane adhesive has high grip insulation with a base and convenient to use.

Glue prepared from a dry polymer-cement mixture plasticity and hardens quickly. He has high level adhesion to the surface. The mixture is diluted with water in the ratio of 1 kg of the mixture to 0.24 liters of water.

Fasten polystyrene sheets only on dowels less efficient than fastening first to the glue, and then fixing the already glued sheets of polystyrene foam with dowels.

Using glue for PPS, during insulation, you can achieve greater efficiency than with the mechanical method of fixing the plates.

Advice: The base for styrofoam bonding must be cleaned of dirt with a solvent or pressurized water. Priming is recommended for highly absorbent surfaces.

Warming technology"wet facade" with polystyrene foam is identical to the "wet facade" insulation with foam plastic. You can read more about this in the article “Insulation of facades with foam plastic technology”.

In conclusion, we can say that polystyrene foam is best option building insulation material. It is not affected by precipitation and aging, it lasts up to 50 years.

For instructions on the use of TechnoNIKOL foam adhesive for expanded polystyrene boards, see the video:

Polystyrene is a modern polymer, insoluble in water, but soluble in acetone, toluene, dichloroethane and gasoline. In the initial state, it is slightly heavier than water and very fragile, but when heated, it easily changes shape, and the addition of various additives turns products from it into very durable products. However, neither polystyrene itself nor products made from it are used for insulation due to too high thermal conductivity. Therefore, expanded polystyrene (expanded polystyrene) is first obtained from it, for which the molten polystyrene mass is saturated with air and additives that do not change the chemical composition of the substance.

Chemically, this substance remains polystyrene, however physical properties change a lot. Density is reduced by several tens of times, mechanical strength and rigidity increase, and resistance to fire also increases. Then such types of insulation are produced from it, such as:

• sheets;
• granules or balls;
• fixed formwork.

Material characteristics

Despite the fact that pellets, sheets and fixed formwork are made of the same substance (expanded polystyrene), their characteristics are very different. First of all, this concerns the cost, secondly, such an important parameter as the ability to pass water vapor. The only parameter that combines products various types, this is a brand indicating density in kg / m 3. For warming houses, the most popular brands are 15, 25, 35, 50.

This is followed by a difference in the method of production - non-pressed (PSB) and pressed (PPS) foamed polystyrene. The difference between them is that in the first case, pellets are used, which are heated to a high temperature in air before sintering. Such polystyrene foam is characterized by low mechanical strength and low price. Extruded polystyrene foam is made from a molten mass of polystyrene, which is first filled with air, and then pressed into molds of the desired size. The main difference of expanded polystyrene of the second type is high fracture strength and squeezing. The materials also differ externally, PSB looks like it consists of separate, clearly fragmented balls. Expanded polystyrene of the second type is often put on sale under the XPS brand, which means that the material meets the requirements of the EN 13164:2008 standard adopted in the EU.

The letters after the indicator of the method of obtaining polystyrene foam mean:

1. C is a low-combustible self-extinguishing material to which a flame retardant is added.
2. P - material is obtained by cutting large pieces of finished products into blocks of the required size.
3. RG - the same as R, only from a graphite-containing material.
4. A - with a smooth side edge.
5. B - with a side edge selected in a quarter.
6. F - designed for facade insulation under plaster.

Insulating sheets

Typically, insulating sheets are made in sizes of 1x1 m, but other sizes are also possible. Both types of expanded polystyrene are used for their manufacture. PSB-15 sheets are used for insulating floors and ceilings, occasionally for walls (if you need to save a lot on material). PSB-25 and PSB-35 are most often used for external insulation of walls, attics and roofs, and PSB-50 is used to reduce the heat loss of the foundation. PPS sheets are used in cases where it is necessary to ensure maximum thermal efficiency with a minimum thickness. The advantage of insulating sheets is ease of installation - they are nailed to the wall using special anchor nails. A significant disadvantage is the low vapor permeability of the material, therefore wooden house, sheathed with such slabs, loses its main advantage - the ability to pass excess moisture through the walls, providing a dry microclimate in the rooms.

The approximate cost of insulation sheets made of expanded polystyrene of various grades per 1 m 3:

Granules

For the manufacture of expanded polystyrene granules, defective products of the PSB brand are used, which are crushed using special devices. The resulting balls retain all the properties of the original product, with the exception of vapor permeability, which increases dramatically. Therefore, granules are well suited for warming even wooden houses. Granules are used to create polystyrene concrete and for backfilling brick and wooden houses into the intra-wall cavities. The cost of granules depends on the material from which they are made and is 500–2000 rubles per 1 m 3.

Fixed formwork

A fixed formwork made of expanded polystyrene is a ready-made block that simultaneously performs two functions - it creates a perimeter (formwork) for pouring concrete and provides insulation for the concrete wall. The advantage of using formwork is the reduction in labor intensity of work, the disadvantage is the high price. For the manufacture of such formwork, expanded polystyrene of the PPS-35 and PPS-50 types is used. You will find the dimensions of the most popular types of formwork in this photo:

On the upper and lower planes, as well as on the front and rear ends, locks are cut, which allow you to securely connect both blocks in one row and adjacent rows. The full range of expanded polystyrene blocks includes corner and transition elements, so they can be used to create a wall of any configuration. After assembling one row of formwork, reinforcement is inserted into it, then either 3–5 rows or the entire wall is erected, after which it is poured with concrete and compacted with vibrators. The thickness of the inner insulation layer is 50 mm, the thickness of the outer layer is 50–100 mm (depending on the formwork model). The cost of any formwork element depends on:

• manufacturer's brand;
• material density;
• shapes and sizes.

The average price of expanded polystyrene formwork is 500-900 meters per 1 m 2, however, there are samples 2-3 times more expensive. In addition, the cost is affected by the presence of an additional insulating layer, if the standard sizes are not enough. Such blocks are made to order, so the thickness of the outer insulation layer can be any.

Where else is foamed polystyrene used as a heater

Expanded polystyrene is used to create sandwich panels and heat blocks, as well as for internal insulation frame houses, including those built using the technology of double timber. Where it is important to maintain a high vapor permeability coefficient, granules are used, in other cases plates are used. Also, expanded polystyrene is used in the creation of polystyrene concrete - one of the varieties of lightweight low-strength concrete with a very low heat transfer coefficient. Such concretes are used to create a screed for underfloor heating and pouring walls in houses with a reinforced concrete frame.

Comparison of expanded polystyrene with other heaters

We have compiled a table in which we have included the most important parameters. Due to the table width limitation, each parameter is assigned a number:

1. The specific coefficient of thermal conductivity (the smaller it is, the higher the thermal insulation properties of the material).
2. Vapor permeability (the higher the better).
3. The ability to absorb water.
4. Hydrophobicity (some materials drastically reduce their performance if even a little water gets into them).
5. Is the material suitable for insulating the foundation.
6. Cost per 1 m3 (due to the fact that many materials are represented by samples with different levels of density, we took PSB-25 and PPS-S-16 polystyrene foam as a standard and samples of other materials as close as possible to them in terms of thermal conductivity.
7. The need to use highly specialized equipment during installation, which cannot be used for other work.
8. Complexity of installation (conditionally, on a 5-point scale).
9. Flammability.

Expanded polystyrene is a universal insulation, which has always been the leader of the domestic market of thermal insulation materials. The popularity of this insulation is due to the optimal ratio of cost and functional characteristics - in this parameter, expanded polystyrene surpasses all existing materials for insulation.

1 Scope of polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene is widely used as the main heat-insulating material in private and industrial construction.

The main factor that determines the demand for polystyrene foam insulation is their minimum cost, which is an order of magnitude less than the same mineral wool, and other heat-insulating materials on the market.

Do not think that since polystyrene foam is cheap, it guarantees effective insulation- quite the opposite, the thermal conductivity of all currently used heaters is approximately the same - it varies from 0.03 to 0.04 W / mk.

In practice, the difference in thermal conductivity at the level of 0.03-0.05 W / mk is simply imperceptible, the difference between polystyrene foam and more expensive heaters is not in efficiency, but in some features of this material, and which we will discuss in detail in the corresponding section of the article. This is important for .

In general, after analyzing the properties of this insulation, we can conclude that thermal insulation with expanded polystyrene has the following advantages:

• Profitability - the cost of a cubic meter of expanded polystyrene is about 2-2.5 thousand rubles, while mineral wool- 5-6 thousand rubles. At the same time, the consumption of mineral wool for warming the same object will be approximately 50% more than polystyrene;
• Ease of installation and - expanded polystyrene plates are installed on the surface to be insulated using adhesive composition which greatly simplifies their installation. For example, for the installation of the same mineral wool, you will need to equip the supporting frame, which entails additional costs of both time and finances.

Expanded polystyrene insulation is used for thermal insulation of the following objects:

• Facade walls of houses and apartments from any materials - brick, concrete, expanded clay blocks, foam blocks, gas blocks (including for insulation using wet plaster technology);
• Lag floors, high-density polystyrene foam can be used for thermal insulation of floors under a concrete screed;
• Roofs - straight and pitched;
• Ceiling and on;
• Balcony, loggia, or attic;
• Foundation and basement.

Expanded polystyrene has not only thermal insulation properties, but also the ability to reduce noise, which is why it is often used as a soundproofing material for insulating private houses, apartments, or soundproofing industrial premises.

2 Expanded polystyrene manufacturing technology

Expanded polystyrene heaters are manufactured using the technology of foaming and subsequent connection of polystyrene granules to each other.

Briefly, the production technology of this material can be described as follows:

1. The polystyrene raw material is loaded into a pre-expander - a unit in which polystyrene is heated with hot steam to a temperature (about 100 degrees), at which the granules expand in volume, and cavities are formed in them, which will subsequently be filled with air;
2. After the granules have expanded, they are dried from steam condensate and transported to a holding container, where they are aged for 12 hours at a temperature of 16-25 degrees. The aging of polystyrene is necessary so that the cavities inside the granules are filled with air;
3. The granules filled with air are loaded into a block-mould - an aggregate where individual granules are combined into a monolithic block. After loading the granules, the sealed container is closed, and hot steam is supplied inside under pressure, under the influence of which the polystyrene granules are sintered together;
4. After drying the block with , the product enters the cutting line, where automated equipment forms plates of the required thickness and dimensions from the block. The cutting of the block is carried out with hot strings, which guarantee the cutting of maximum precision.

Finishing this stage, insulation boards are packed in polyethylene film, and delivered to store shelves.

3 Dimensions and thickness of polystyrene boards

Expanded polystyrene heaters are supplied to the market in the form of slabs with the following dimensions:

• 1000*500mm;
• 1000*1000mm;
• 2000*1000.

The thickness of the plates varies from 10 to 100 mm, the thickness step is usually 10 mm.

The above dimensions of the plates refer to common standards, if you need non-standard sizes of thermal insulation, then most manufacturers, when ordering a sufficiently large batch, can make such heaters to order.

In general, for thermal insulation of vertical and inclined surfaces - facades, walls, roofs, slabs with dimensions of 1 * 0.5 m are the best option, since it is quite difficult for one person to work with large products.

The thickness of the expanded polystyrene sheet, which provides effective thermal insulation, in most regions of the CIS countries varies from 50 to 100 mm.

4 Types of expanded polystyrene and their technical characteristics

The classification of expanded polystyrene used for thermal insulation is based on the density of the insulation. The most popular materials for insulation are expanded polystyrene grades:

• PSB S-15;
• PSB S-25;
• PSB S-35.

Its thermal insulation properties directly depend on the density of expanded polystyrene. The lower the density, and, accordingly, the more air in the insulation, and the smaller the polystyrene walls, the lower the thermal conductivity of the material will be.

And vice versa, the more expanded polystyrene is compressed, the less air is closed inside the insulation cells, and the lower its thermal conductivity will be. However, it must be borne in mind that the strength characteristics of the insulation directly depend on its density.

Let's do a comparison specifications the most popular types of polystyrene foam insulation PSB-15, PSB-25 and PSB-35 in thermal insulation:

• Material density, kg/m³: PSB-15 – from 8 to 15; PSB-25 - from 15 to 25; PSB-35 - from 25 to 35;
• Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/mk: PSB-15 – 0.037; PSB-25 - 0.039; PSB-35 - 0.043;
• The coefficient of vapor permeability for all types of expanded polystyrene is not higher than 0.05 mg / mchPa;
• The resistance of the material to compression at a deformation of 10% of the volume, MPa: PSB-15 - 0.04; PSB-25 - 0.07; PSB-35 - 0.16;
• Material resistance to bending, MPa: PSB-15 - 0.06; PSB-25 - 0.018; PSB-35 - 0.25;
• Moisture absorption percentage by volume for 24 hours: PSB-15 - 4, PSB-25 - 1, PSB-35 - 1.

All classes of expanded polystyrene belong to the G3 combustibility group - normally combustible materials, the boundary temperature of their operation is 80 degrees, above which the polystyrene granules begin to sinter, as a result of which the insulation itself is deformed.

5 Comparison of conventional and extruded polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam is made from the same polystyrene granules as the insulation considered in this article, however, using a much more complex technology, which causes the differences in price and technical characteristics of these materials.

The cost of these materials can vary by 2-2.5 times, in order to understand whether it makes sense to overpay, let's compare their main technical characteristics:

• Thermal conductivity coefficient, W/mk: extruded polystyrene foam (EP) – 0.028; expanded polystyrene (P) - 0.038;
• The percentage of moisture absorption by volume for 24 hours: EP - 0.2; P - 2;
• The percentage of moisture absorption by volume for 30 days: EP - 0.4; P - 4;
• Vapor permeability coefficient, mg / mchPa: EP - 0.018; P - 0.05;
• Density, kg / m³: EP - from 28 to 45, P - from 15 to 35.

The combustibility class for materials based on polystyrene is identical - G3, or, in the case of adding refractory additives - G2.

The difference in thermal conductivity between EP and expanded polystyrene determines that for the same thermal insulation efficiency, you will need a greater thickness of expanded polystyrene insulation than EP boards.

The density varies within 10 kg / m³, which is also quite significant. Expanded polystyrene, the density of which is minimal, cannot be used to insulate loadable facades, while there are no such restrictions for EP insulation, the density of which is 28 kg / m³.

Expanded polystyrene, unlike EP-plates, is eaten by mice. Despite the fact that the EP is made from the same raw materials as polystyrene foam, mice do not eat it, since the structure and density of the material does not allow them to damage the insulation.

Given the above, if you want to equip thermal insulation with polystyrene foam, all mice must be pre-etched. Do not neglect this, because otherwise, you risk money and time spent on insulating your home.

However, mice are dangerous for the most part only for houses - rodents are extremely rare in apartments. However, even if the mice wound up, it is likely that they will initially be interested in ordinary food. Rodents (mice and others) are usually rarely taken for heat-insulating materials.

When choosing between thermal insulation made of expanded polystyrene and EP, consider the conditions under which the material will be used. For example, to insulate the foundation or basement, it is better to choose EP, since it is more stable, strong and durable, while ordinary polystyrene foam is perfect for thermal insulation of the facade.

6 Overview of the advantages and disadvantages of polystyrene insulation (video)

Expanded polystyrene (aka expanded polystyrene, aka polystyrene) is a heater that has become widespread in construction work related to thermal insulation.

Expanded polystyrene and its types

The material is obtained by foaming synthetic polystyrene with water vapor and natural gas. Cured foam balls are 98% air and only 2% polystyrene. The finished material is cut into sheets of standard sizes.

Extruded polystyrene foam has increased strength. Its other names are technonicol expanded polystyrene (from the name of the manufacturer), and. It is made by foaming under pressure, increased strength allows the use of extruded insulation in load-bearing structures. In the manufacture of balls of material that are not fastened together in a flat sheet, granulated polystyrene foam is obtained - a mound of foam balls with a diameter of up to 8 mm.

The high popularity of the material is associated with its low cost, combined with excellent thermal insulation properties and ease of handling (delivery, installation). According to statistics, 80% of insulation work is carried out using two types of synthetic insulation - ordinary and extruded polystyrene foam.

How great are the characteristics of expanded polystyrene and what effect can be achieved with insulation with this material?

How does heat loss occur?

The fact that houses radiate heat has been known for a long time. In the spring, the paths along the walls are freed from snow earlier, the attic space of the house is always warmer than the outside air. However, it became possible to see the size of heat losses only in the middle of the 20th century. Appeared devices for measuring heat fluxes - - began to determine and show the dimensions of the thermal. The rise in prices for, the rise in the cost of heating were complemented by stunning pictures in which the houses were photographed in infrared radiation, where the contours of the warm background around the buildings were clearly visible.

The American thermal survey of the territory of the USSR from space showed a general thermal glow of residential buildings, which, against the background of isolated houses in Europe, gave the impression of heating the air.

According to thermal imagers, about 40-50% comes through window openings and 20-30% is lost through walls and construction joints. The remaining losses fall on the roof and ventilation.

Building insulation

The reduction of heat loss through the walls of the house is achieved by their insulation. It is better to install a layer of insulation on the outside of the heated room, so that the zero point shifts from the supporting wall to the heat insulator.

The list of used contains natural and synthetic materials. Felt, batting and tow (natural), glass wool and polystyrene (artificial). Among the materials available on the market, polystyrene foam wall insulation is the most popular. What are the advantages of insulation with this material?

Insulation benefits

Thermal conductivity of expanded polystyrene(0.037-0.043 W / m * C °) provides thermal insulation higher than that of mineral wool (0.046 W / m * C °), 4 times better than that of wood (0.18 W / m * C °), in 8 times higher than dry foam concrete and 20 times higher than a brick wall.

Availability. Styrofoam, at a price available to almost every homeowner. The cost of sheets depends on the thickness, the best characteristics of extruded polystyrene foam belong to sheets of large thickness (8 - 10 cm).

Manufacturability. Heat insulator plates weigh so little that they can be blown away by the wind. Therefore, the installation of insulation can be done by one person. When working at height, the low weight of the heat-insulating material makes it possible to insulate at the height of the 7th, 9th or 14th floor. The slab is easily cut with a saw, possibly figured cutting the desired shape. To strengthen the insulation on the wall, glue for polystyrene foam and additional “umbrella” clamps are used. All of the above operations are technologically simple, do not require expensive equipment or highly skilled workers and, if necessary, can be performed independently.

Applications

Construction

Walling. Fixed formwork made of expanded polystyrene speeds up construction. Forms for pouring concrete (blocks) are made of insulation material. The resulting design is characterized by good thermal insulation, technologically advanced and easy to use, which allows the use of expanded polystyrene blocks as an insulated non-removable form. Fixed formwork is warmer than wood, stronger brick wall and cheaper than aerated concrete.

Thermal insulation of foundations- allows you to avoid freezing of the base, this prevents the appearance of microcracks and increases the durability of the building.

Floor insulation. Often used on "warm" floors, where the surface of the flooring serves as a radiator that radiates heat and heats the room. Expanded polystyrene for underfloor heating makes it possible to reduce heat loss to the ground or to the basement. Insulation of the floor with expanded polystyrene additionally works as a vibration and sound insulation work heating system floor, for this, plates with recesses are used for laying heating elements.

Thermal insulation of walls and facades. Produced both outside and inside the building. Insulation of walls from the outside (facade) is preferable than from the inside. The result is a multilayer structure consisting of a load-bearing wall (brick, shell rock, concrete, adobe), a layer of insulation and a protective coating (plaster or cladding). Thermal insulation of the facade with expanded polystyrene will require additional costs. Mandatory protection of the insulation is made by siding, facing brick or "fur coat". Roof insulation. Ceiling tiles made of expanded polystyrene due to its low weight it is easy to install on the rafters under the roofing sheets, does not give additional load on the walls.

- water supply, sewerage, communication cable - allows you to reduce the depth of their laying, thereby reducing the cost of plumbing or cable laying works.

Car roads, railways, runways - expanded polystyrene plates are installed under the coating, separating it from the freezing soil, which increases the durability of the laid tracks.

The most versatile, suitable for any insulation is "psb s 25".

Industry and economic sector

Beekeeping. Styrofoam hives have a number of advantages: heat capacity (protection from winter cold and summer heat), lightweight design (important for mobile apiaries), acceptable cost (they are cheaper than wooden ones). At some enterprises, the production of foam hives is organized. An interesting combined solution would be a wooden hive with foam insulation, which is located between the outer and inner layers. wooden planks. Such evidence has a natural surface of a tree and at the same time protects the bee colony from frosts of -30 -40˚C.

Package. Almost any modern packaging contains foam parts. Glass and ceramic dishes, medicinal ampoules, boxes with equipment (laptop, washing machine, television). Styrofoam for packaging is made with recesses that repeat the shape of the object. The sealant does not allow the product to move along the packaging container, protects it from a possible impact. Styrofoam is also used to isolate perishable products during transportation.

Depreciation. Styrofoam is placed in the inner surface of construction helmets, bicycle, ski helmets, etc.

Filler. Insulation granules are used as fillers for soft toys and furniture.

The effectiveness of using foam for insulation is confirmed by many positive reviews. When using extruded foam, according to reviews, more reliable and durable thermal insulation is formed, which generally pays for its overpriced price. The presence of disputes about the usefulness and breathability of synthetic foam only confirms the fact that foams are widely used. They insulate everything that requires insulation, the location of the insulation is in almost any accessible place.

Modern market building materials offers many options for warming various objects. One of the popular types is polystyrene. insulation this category is obtained by foaming the mass in a certain way. The result is a durable material that reliably retains heat inside the object.

The presented insulation has certain characteristics. To choose the right variety, you need to consider the main features of this material. The advice of professionals will help in this matter.

general characteristics

Polystyrene is a composite material. It is obtained artificially. polystyrene insulation began to be used by mankind in the last century. Polystyrene and polystyrene foam are mainly made from propylene. These are insulating materials widely used in construction and in other areas of human activity.

Polystyrene granules are composed of pentane and isopentane. The processing of the raw material determines the subsequent qualities of the material. Styrofoam is obtained by processing granules with water vapor. Under the influence of high temperatures, pentane evaporates from the substance. Polystyrene thus increases in volume. This is how the well-known polystyrene is obtained.

A new and more advanced material is foamed (extruded or extruded) polystyrene. It was created in the 50s of the twentieth century. A new kind of polystyrene was invented by an American company that was able to improve the existing technology.

polystyrene insulation in this case, it is made using a more complex technique. At the same time, the material receives new, improved qualities. Polystyrene is supplied for production in granules. The composite material is foamed in a special way. This technique is called extrusion. The composite is pressed through a die of a special configuration. Previously, foaming was carried out using freon and carbon dioxide. The first of the listed components is an unsafe substance for the environment. It destroys the ozone layer. Therefore, since 1999, a safer technique has been used in the production of expanded polystyrene. She doesn't use freon.

Varieties

Polystyrene sheet insulation can be produced using different technologies. There are 5 main types of material presented. They differ in the way they are made. These include the following polystyrene groups:

1. Unpressed (PSB).
2. Pressed (PS).
3. Extruded or extruded (EPS).
4. Autoclave.
5. Autoclave extrusion.

Compressed polystyrene is produced by the action of the material high pressure. This allows the structure to be compacted. In terms of thermal insulation characteristics, pressed and non-pressed material practically do not differ. The cost of the second variety is much less. In modern construction, the pressed look is practically not used. PSB material builders call polystyrene foam. It is it that is most often used when installing insulation for various objects.

Extruded polystyrene is one of the most popular types of insulation from the presented group. Autoclave and autoclave-extrusion material are very similar to the XPS material group. Only they are produced using an autoclave.

It should be noted that in modern construction, in most cases, XPS and PBS materials are used. They will be discussed in more detail below. The remaining rare varieties do not need detailed consideration. It is almost impossible to meet them in modern hardware stores.

The difference between styrofoam and polystyrene foam

Depending on the processing methods, the main operational characteristics that the polystyrene. Floor insulation should be more rigid. Walls can be covered with less durable material. The cost also depends on the quality of the material.

Styrofoam is characterized by significant fragility and less insulating ability. Today it is used in construction work less and less, even despite the low cost. For example, a foam sheet 0.5 m² and 5 cm thick costs about 40 rubles. At the same time, extruded polystyrene foam with a size of 0.6 m² and a thickness of 3 cm can be purchased for an average of 120 rubles. This price difference is different operational characteristics materials.

Styrofoam is subject to deformation under load. It deteriorates, pests can gnaw it. Also, fungus develops well on this material at high humidity and medium temperature. For this reason, more and more builders are using a more advanced type of material presented.

Extruded polystyrene insulation in many ways similar to the well-known foam. However, there is a huge difference between them. Expanded polystyrene is a more perfect, versatile material. It can be installed both indoors and outdoors. The main difference between expanded polystyrene and polystyrene foam is its ability to withstand heavy loads, resistance to various adverse effects and high performance.

Size and features of XPS boards

An important characteristic of EPS is the size. Polystyrene insulation most often produced in the form of sheets with standard dimensions. During the production process, the cured polymer exiting the extruder is cut into specific blocks.

Styrofoam distinguishes it appearance. Most often these are multi-colored plates with a homogeneous structure. They can be green, pink and other shades. They also produce white and transparent plates. In the process of creating arrays, various substances can be added to the material. Flame retardants reduce the flammability of the material. Various additives prevent the development of mold, fungus on the material, and prevent pest attacks.

Most often, expanded polystyrene, packed in blocks of several plates, goes on sale. The number of sheets depends on the thickness of the material. For example, polystyrene insulation 50 mm Supplied in blocks of 8 slabs. For insulation, which is 2 times thicker, the number of sheets in a package can be reduced to 4 pieces.

XPS sheets with a width of 60 cm are mainly on sale. Some manufacturers may supply products with other dimensions. In this case, the width may be 58 cm. When buying, special attention should be paid to this. The length of the plates can be 120 or 240 cm.

Main characteristics of EPS

studying polystyrene insulation size type EPS, it is necessary to consider its thickness. This indicator determines the main characteristics and scope of the material. Slabs with a thickness of 2 to 15 cm are on sale. This will allow you to choose polystyrene foam for almost any object. The most popular sheets are 3-5 cm thick.

A package of expanded polystyrene can weigh from 9 to 30 kg. This is influenced by the overall dimensions and density of the material. The last of the presented characteristics affects the performance of the insulation. Its thermal conductivity is less dependent on thickness. Only the density indicator is important.

When equipping a layer of insulation for structures that are not subject to load, XPS sheets with a density of 30 kg / m³ can be used. This, for example, can be underground rooms, pitched roofs, floors without screed, water tanks.

Choosing insulation for the walls of the house outside, polystyrene may have a density of 35 kg/m³. This material is suitable for vertical walls, shallow foundations, as well as medium slope roofs and ceilings.

For roads, runways, slabs with a density of 45-50 kg / m³ are used. Such plates are used in the arrangement of floors with a screed (including with a warm floor system). The material can withstand high loads. Therefore, it can also be used for deep foundations, flat roofs.

Advantages and disadvantages

Knowing the required dimensions, density and thickness of polystyrene insulation, it is also necessary to consider the main qualities of this material. He has a lot of advantages. The material became popular due to its low thermal conductivity. It is not susceptible to damage chemical acids, ammonia and other substances. Expanded polystyrene repels moisture well. It is quite dense, which avoids deformation and destruction even under high load.

Expanded polystyrene is characterized by high strength when subjected to pressure. He is not afraid of temperature changes, adverse effects environment. Even in severe frost, the composite material does not lose its original characteristics. Due to these qualities, XPS is a very durable material. Its service life is calculated in tens of years.

At the same time, the installation of such plates is very simple. The sheets are light in weight. The cost of such a finish remains acceptable to many buyers.

Among the shortcomings of EPS, a number of facts should be noted. If special substances are not added to the composition, it is highly flammable. When heated, it releases toxic fumes. This material is not recommended for use in the construction of a bath. Also, the sheets must be protected from direct sunlight. Polystyrene is adversely affected by various solvents (tar, gasoline, methane, etc.).

Application area

Characteristics of polystyrene insulation allow it to be used in various fields human activity. It is used both in industry and in everyday life. One of the main areas of application is construction. Among other things, polystyrene insulation is actively used in the military industry, especially when creating passive protection equipment. Also in the aviation and shipbuilding industry, polystyrene is widely used as insulation materials.

The presented material is suitable for finishing the foundation, ceiling and walls, as well as roofs of various types. It is used as a heater on linear objects, also providing good waterproofing for various structures.

The material does not require the use of additional vapor-permeable membranes. High strength allows the use of expanded polystyrene on various vertical and horizontal surfaces under concrete or cement-sand screeds.

With the help of sheets of the presented material, it is possible to isolate open areas, roads and lanes. Various communications are also insulated using the presented material.

Choosing floor insulation, rigid extruded polystyrene should be considered as one of the preferred options. It is in this area of ​​\u200b\u200bconstruction that its use will be fully justified. Styrofoam or other materials will not be able to provide sufficient rigidity for such bases.