The main building materials from which structures are built and coatings are arranged cannot always perform insulation tasks. The same brick walls or a foundation foundation made of concrete screed require mandatory cover with protective raw materials. Such barriers are needed to protect against cold, moisture and noise. One of the most affordable insulators is foamed polyethylene foil. Its main task is warming. Use this coating as a universal insulating barrier in private homes and enterprises.
General information about insulation
Although the construction market has recently focused more on environmentally friendly natural raw materials, there are exceptions. These include foamed polyethylene. The material cannot be called toxic and dangerous. However, in residential premises, synthetic insulators are still not recommended. But in the technical and operational qualities, such coatings show their best.
Practicality and versatility - these are the main advantages that made foamed foamed polyethylene popular. The price of the insulator, which is about 1-1.5 thousand rubles. per 15 meter roll, also contributes to its distribution. By the way, natural heaters are much more expensive and can not always provide the same efficiency in terms of insulation. In addition to rolls, the material is also available on the market in the form of panels and bundles, which expands the possibilities for installation.
The technology of manufacturing cross-linked polyethylene
This material can be obtained by two methods - radiation and chemical. We will tell you more about them. Chemically cross-linked foam material is produced under high pressure. In the manufacturing process, special antioxidants and pathogens are added to the composition. Next, the basis for polyethylene in a thermoplastic state is straightened and formed in accordance with the requirements for the finished product.
In turn, reactors in the form of peroxides act to create transverse bonds and disintegrate under the influence of high temperatures. In addition, the crosslinked foamed foamed polyethylene undergoes a substitution reaction of hydrogen atoms with unsaturated carbon elements. This process allows you to form a spatial structure of the associated elements of the radicals, which in practice of use leads to high tensile strength of the material. In the application of radiation technology, the combination of molecules occurs not under the influence of a chemical reaction, but under the conditions of a directed energy beam.
Non-crosslinked polyethylene fabrication method
Non-crosslinked insulation based on polyethylene is formed when foaming the base with freons or a propane-butane mass. In the technical support of the process, the use of a special extruder is mandatory. Under pressure, the unit feeds the polyethylene melt and mixes it with a foam reagent, which is used as a propane-butane mixture. At the moment of exit from the extruder, the external pressure decreases, as a result of which the gas expands. As a result, foamed polyethylene foamed non-crosslinked type is formed. Further, the material finally hardens and takes the form of a commodity delivery.
The main characteristics of the material
In the selection of material for insulation of structural parts of the house, one should focus on the requirements for them in terms of operational properties. Further, based on the conclusions made, we can proceed to the analysis of the target material in terms of characteristics. The main parameters are the width and thickness. As for roll insulators of this type, they have a thickness of 5-10 mm, and the width can reach 1200 mm.
You should also pay attention to the density of the structure that forms the foamed foamed polyethylene. The load characteristics on this indicator are on average 20-30 kg / m 3 . Of primary importance from the point of view of the insulation function is the thermal conductivity index. It averages 0.04 W / (m * C). This is not to say that this is an outstanding value of the heat-saving function, but by average standards compared to other insulators, the indicator is not bad. In any case, the complex home decoration with foamed polyethylene is more likely to cope with the tasks assigned to it.
Operational properties
The insulation has high elasticity and elasticity, which makes it possible to use it in the most difficult areas. So, individual fragments can be laid in the docking places between the coating elements. In addition to the thermal insulation function, the material also protects the object from noise and steam penetration. It can be said that this is a complex insulator without a certain specialization.
However, unlike many artificial heaters, foamed foiled polyethylene does not burn, which increases its ability to counteract fires. Under the influence of high temperatures, the insulator does not deform and retains its original structure. Separately, it is worth noting the mechanical stability. In this case, we are talking about a foil modification, which has a metallized protective coating. The layer protects the functional basis of the insulation from physical damage.
Varieties of insulator
Technical qualities of the material and functional features vary depending on the brand. For example, insulation with the designation āAā is provided with a layer of foil on one side only. Therefore, it is advisable to use it in combination with other insulators. Conversely, the modification of the series "B" is a material with double-sided foil coating. This is the best variant. Accordingly, warming with foil foamed polyethylene of this type is carried out as an independent without supplementing with other insulators.
The āCā modification is also quite popular, which also differs by the presence of two functional sides, but with different properties. One is provided with a metallized protective layer, and the other is self-adhesive adhesive treatment. There are other versions of insulation that differ in the characteristics of the coatings.
Material Areas
Mostly the insulator is used in the insulation of houses, bath houses and pipelines. In particular, builders finish walls, partitions, floors and openings with foamed polyethylene, thereby reducing the number of cold bridges. The insulator also protects the attic, roofing and flooring from unwanted heat leaks.
For bath rooms, it is preferable to use a thick foamed polyethylene foil - 10 mm, for example, will be enough to seal the window openings and the roof of the object. The same parameters should be selected when working with pipelines. Especially in outdoor conditions, the winding of communication elements should be performed with a material with enhanced protective properties and a dense structure.
Material laying
Installation of the coating is carried out using adhesive compounds. The product should be applied to the pre-treated surface and then the insulator should be fixed evenly. There are two aspects that can change the process. First of all, many manufacturers today produce self-adhesive foamed polyethylene foamed, which can be laid without the use of individual binders. In this case, one side will be foil and the other will be adhesive. The second factor can complicate the workflow. If the installation configuration of the finishing material allows, it is recommended to leave a technological air gap between it and the insulation. The best option is the implementation of the lathing with rails 10-15 mm thick.
Positive insulator reviews
Directly operational properties are manifested at a decent level, which is noted by many users of insulation. The coating is easy to install, practically does not cause difficulties in handling. It is beneficial in terms of financial costs. Actually, these are the main points of the positive experience of using the material. But there are less noticeable aspects that should also be considered if such thermal insulation is chosen. Foamed foiled polyethylene has almost no effect on the structure of the formation of the facing coating. If you omit the requirement to leave an air gap, then it can also act as a substrate for future decoration, which will also be a plus.
Negative reviews
Positive quality in the form of a soft and elastic structure can have a negative impact on the operation. In particular, some homeowners note that the lack of stiffness makes it difficult to use in combination with wallpaper or stucco. There are complaints about the quality of the self-adhesive base. But it depends on the good faith of the manufacturer who developed the specific insulation.
Foamed foamed polyethylene with an unsatisfactory coupling function can be fixed with construction adhesives as a last resort. Experts also do not recommend considering this material as a full-fledged insulation. The polyethylene foam base is good as a universal insulator, protecting houses from noise and moisture as well. But especially for heat conservation, such coatings can be used only as an addition.
Conclusion
It is beneficial to purchase this option of a heater precisely as a means of comprehensive protection. With a successful combination of the insulator with the finish and its competent fixation, one can count on the quite acceptable function of the barrier from external negative factors. In addition, at the price, foamed polyethylene with a foil coating can be considered one of the most profitable solutions in its class. True, the lack of confidence in the environmental safety of polyethylene still pushes a considerable portion of homeowners from such a decision. Other users tend to minimize the chemical exposure factor by using the insulator only in the exterior and roof structures.