Prediction of Long Term Degradation of Insulating Materials
Abstract
Advanced insulation materials provide resistance to heat flow. Properly insulating shelters can reduce heating and cooling costs, as well as im-proves comfort. However, the long-term performance of insulation materials is relatively unknown. This research investigated the long-term performance of five commercially available insulation materials including nonwoven insulation liner, aerogel blankets, closed cell spray polyurethane foam (ccSPF), extruded polysterene (XPS), and fiberglass batt. Accelerated aging simulation experiments were conducted in an environmental chamber. All materials were subjected to 5 weeks in the chamber and exposed to various temperature and humidity conditions. Thermal conductivity using a heat flow meter apparatus (HFMA) and corresponding R-values of each material were calculated. The results indicate that moisture absorption was a major contributor to changes in the thermal properties of the materials. Additional degradation in R-values in ccSPF was caused by loss of blowing agent over time. The results of this research are expected to help formulate an accelerated aging methodology that allows reliable prediction of long-term advanced in-sulation materials performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA618149
Entities
People
- Andrew Heffron
- Ashok Kumar
- Brenda B. Mehnert
- Deborah J. Lawrence
- Elizabeth J. Gao
- Jedediah B. Alvey
- Larry David Stephenson
- Veera Boddu
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center