Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene consists of beads, which are built from thousands of cells filled with air. A prisoner in the cells of the air can not move and so has very good insulating properties, it confirms even physics textbook for high school students.


Most of the expanded polystyrene is used for insulation. To estimate the parameters of the insulating materials used vapor permeability, the relationship to moisture, heat, durability, environmental, chemical and biological stability, ease of installation, non-combustibility, and prevents the spread of fire.



If EPS is equal to the vapor permeability of 0.05, then the wool it is 0,3 and it is 6 times better transmits water vapor. When these are used in thermal insulation thermal insulation system, the total water vapor permeability is equal to the layer of material, where it is lowest. Thus, when a large water transfer moisture accumulates in the mineral layer, this results in the loss of the entire system of its original heat-insulating properties. But the moisture, because of low water absorption of the material polystyrene, it does not accumulate.

Based on the practical results of studies concluded that there is no loss of insulating properties of polystyrene within the guaranteed service life. Destruction of the same mineral wool insulation can occur due to failures of design solutions. Therefore, the use of mineral wool as insulation material should be approached very carefully and in the process of designing buildings and structures during their construction and finish.

In order to give stability and strengthening of fibrous insulation materials used binders. Polystyrene foam, as foam does not contain them, and balls, of which it consists, stick together under ordinary water vapor. Moisture has no appreciable effect on the EPS, even with prolonged immersion in water, so its quality is almost unchanged during the operation for a long time. This is important because excess moisture leads to a fungus infection of building designs and creates the premises of an unfavorable climate.

Thermal insulation made from polystyrene foam products do not pose a threat to health because they contain fiber and are therefore not harmful to the human source of dust. Even if accidentally ingested styrofoam does not cause adverse effects.

Polystyrene foam refers to a group of materials that are self-extinguishing, ie, support self-burning for only a few seconds. However, design decisions are not left without a protective layer of polystyrene foam, it is regulated by GOST 15588-86. Polystyrene plates should be used only as a middle layer for building structures.

In terms of ease of use an important advantage of polystyrene is its very low weight, it is relatively easily processed directly on the construction site, does not produce fine dust. Production of EPS is environmentally friendly and waste-free. In this respect, he loses the mineral wool, glass wool or similar fibrous materials, which use the binding components.

Thus, in many respects, the use of polystyrene foam is not only more profitable, but also justified in terms of security, ease of application and processing, environmental impact, and that it recommend the use for insulation of apartments, houses and facades.