?
Foam Polymers in Multifunctional Insulating Coatings
Abstract: The application of foamed polymers as one of the components of insulating coatings allows to solve the problems of energy saving and creation of optimal operating conditions for constructions. The systems of application of energy-efficient heat-insulating materials must consider both the particularities of the insulating materials and the functional orientation of the constructions. The implementation of the concept of seamless insulating coatings implies the achievement of thermal effect and reduction in air permeability both by means of the application of thermal insulation with low thermal conductivity and the minimization of junctions between separate elements of the insulating coating, which is achieved using elastic foamed polymers and, first of all, polyethylene foam. Construction of seamless insulating coatings creates practically impermeable heat, vapor, and water barriers along the outer perimeter of the insulated object. Multilayer products based on polyethylene foam represent a relatively new material—a fact that requires examination of their properties, as well as under various operating conditions, and development of a methodology for evaluation of the operational resistance of these materials in structures of different purposes, including cold conservation. The performed tests have shown that the compressive strength at 10% deformation is determined by the function of load application area and varies from 70 kPa during the test of cube samples of 10 × 10 × 10 in size to 260 kPa for areas exceeding 100 m2 . The longitudinal tensile strength amounts to 80–92 kPa, and the strength of the weld seam is equal to 29–32 kPa. It has been established that the values of thermal conductivity of polyethylene foam with an average density of 18–20 kg/m3 amounts to 0.032–0.034 W/(m·K), diffusion moisture absorption is equal to 0.44 kg/m2 without a metallized coating and 0.37 kg/m2 with a metallized coating; water absorption after partial immersion in water for 24 h amounts to 0.013 kg/m2 ; water absorption by volume after complete water immersion for 28 days is equal to 0.96%. The material does not practically change its properties under conditions of long-term temperature alteration from −60 to +70 ◦C. The developed and implemented insulation systems for protective surfaces of framed construction objects, rubbhalls and frameless structures, floating floors, indoor ice rinks, and snow conservation systems are presented.