Insulation is used to prevent the entry and exit of mass or a type of energy from the outside environment to the inside and vice versa in a structure. Heat is always transferred from a hot environment to a cold environment. For this reason, insulating surfaces and joints prevents heat from being transferred from the inside to the outside during the cold season of the year. Also, in the warm season of the year, this same insulation prevents heat from entering or leaving the house from the outside. For this reason, insulation for energy always prevents energy loss. In addition to thermal insulation, we also have moisture and sound insulation. This type of insulation prevents moisture and sound from entering an environment and damaging it. In this article, we intend to explain the types of insulation to you and put its application under the microscope. Stay with us.
One of the most important applications of insulation is in buildings and power transmission lines in large industries. Insulation in buildings increases energy efficiency and increases the durability of pipes and sheets used in buildings. Insulation can prevent fires in buildings and is used to create comfort and reduce annoying noise. It also increases the life of the structure by preventing moisture penetration and resisting chemical hazards.
عایق کاری چیست؟
Insulation is a measure that prevents the entry and exit of heat, moisture, cold, sound, and heat. For example, insulation is used in hot water pipes so that water does not lose its heat during the cold season due to the transfer of heat through the pipe. The important goal of insulation is to prevent energy waste, improve energy efficiency, and reduce its ancillary costs. Insulators also help reduce noise pollution and provide a quieter environment inside the building. Given the numerous benefits, choosing the right type of insulation (heat, electricity, moisture, and sound) is of particular importance according to the needs and environmental conditions.
What is insulation?
Insulation is a material that acts as a barrier to prevent the transfer of heat, cold, sound, and electricity between two environments or areas. The main purpose of insulation is to prevent mass or energy from entering another environment in order to protect it from external influences. This feature of insulation optimizes energy consumption, reduces costs, and increases the durability of structures.
What is the use of insulation?
Insulation is used in various applications. One of the applications of insulation is to control the condensation of a surface, such as the surface of a pipe. Usually, when the temperature of the pipe is lower than the ambient temperature, steam condenses on the pipe. This increases the humidity on the surface of the pipe, which causes rust and corrosion of the pipe. Another common use of insulation is to prevent a pipe from freezing. In some geographical locations, the air temperature is below zero degrees Celsius for many months of the year. At this temperature, water easily changes from a liquid to a solid. Water is a substance that increases in volume when it changes from a liquid to a solid. Therefore, the solidification of water in addition to preventing the flow of water in the pipe may also cause the pipe to burst. Insulation cannot definitively prevent the freezing of stagnant water in the pipe, but it can delay it.
Maintaining heat inside the pipe is another important application of pipe insulation. The high temperature of the pipe compared to the environment causes heat to transfer from the pipe to the environment and cool the inside of the pipe. Therefore, pipe insulation is used to maintain heat, especially in cold places. There is also the opposite. Insulation can protect the pipe from the very high heat of the environment, the pipe and its fluid. Another interesting application of insulation is preventing the transmission of noise and sound! Because most structures are metal, sound and all kinds of noise may be transmitted by this metal and cause annoyance to others. This can happen in the sewer pipes of a building and even a town. For this reason, if needed, insulation helps to provide peace and comfort to citizens.
Types of insulation by material
Fiberglass Thermal Insulation
Fine fibers produced from molten glass are known as fiberglass in the market. Fiberglass has the property of fire resistance. These fibers are produced and marketed in rolls or coils. Inexpensive, easy to install, light weight and resistant to bacterial penetration are among the advantages and features of fiberglass thermal insulation.
Rock wool or mineral wool thermal insulation
The main ingredient of rock wool is basalt igneous rock, a remnant of volcanic activity. This type of rock is found in abundance in our country, Iran. Rock wool has greater heat resistance than glass wool due to its density.
In addition to thermal insulation, it can also function as a good sound insulator. Among the advantages and features of rock wool thermal insulation are its non-flammability and resistance to the penetration of parasites and bacteria.
Prefabricated materials are also used in insulation. One of the most important of these materials is glass wool. These materials are usually made from a combination of bitumen and polymer materials. Aluminum foil is also sometimes used to insulate light and heat. Primer is another type of material that can insulate objects. The base of these materials is usually made from bitumen and resin and other additives. The advantages of this group of materials are that they are liquid and can be sprayed and brushed on. Applying this material to surfaces prevents moisture penetration and prevents rust.
Mastics, which are usually made from bitumen, polymers, and resins, are insulating materials. Concrete, metal, wood, etc. are surfaces where this insulation can be used. This material protects most surfaces from chemical hazards. Sealers, which are part of the paint family, are another candidate for protecting surfaces from external hazards. In addition to protecting against rust, this insulation also protects against the dangers of sunlight. Polymer insulations are also heat insulators in addition to moisture insulation. These materials, which are used in sheet form, are also widely used in door and window joints. Cement-based insulations also protect against heat and energy well after drying.
Types of insulation in terms of energy
In today’s world, saving energy has become a necessity. One of the pillars of saving energy is the use of energy insulation. Preventing energy loss in the roof, floor, and walls of a structure all play a role in this. There are different types of energy insulation. Materials such as wool and natural moss from various animals and thick fabrics can save up to 55% in energy consumption, both in cooling and heating systems. In fact, these materials keep air pockets in their structure, and since air is a very good energy insulator, it prevents heat transfer.
Insulation with glass wool
Bulk insulation is a type of energy insulation that contains millions of tiny air bubbles. This insulation reduces heat transfer through conduction and radiation. Reflective insulation is a type of insulation that transfers heat by reflection. Silicate insulation is also a type of thermal insulation made of calcium metal oxide and silica, magnesium, and aluminum particles. This insulation is resistant to thermal shock and is widely used in environments with very high temperatures. Asbestos fibers are another type of energy insulation. This material has a crystalline structure and is in the form of a string and is used in environments with a high risk of fire.
It is made from a combination of ethylene and propylene and EPDM diene. This material is widely used as insulation in cold regions. This insulation is highly resistant to a variety of corrosive and hazardous materials. It is recommended that the combination of ethylene and propylene not be used to insulate surfaces in an oil environment. Nano technology is also used in this industry; ceramic microsphere insulation is an insulation made with nano technology. This material, which is made of nanoceramic, has high resistance to sunlight and ultraviolet rays. PVC foam is a very strong sound and thermal insulator. This insulation has very high resistance to vapor and moisture penetration. This polymer foam is more resistant to fire than other members of its family.
Cellulose insulation made from paper-like fibers is another energy insulation available on the market. This product is the result of combining a paper base with adhesive materials. This insulation has high fire resistance and can hold more air pockets. Rock wool made from basalt rocks is also a type of insulation. In addition to energy insulation, this product is also an insulator against pests, parasites, fungi, etc.
The importance and applications of insulation in preventing energy loss
Insulation should be used to prevent heat and moisture transfer. By insulating any surface, it can be made somewhat safe against moisture penetration, corrosion, and even fire. Also, knowing the tips for insulating metal surfaces saves energy in heating and even cooling devices. There are different types of insulation with different materials, which are often made from petroleum derivatives. Each of these insulators has its own specific application. For example, thermal insulators are used to prevent heat loss in heating systems, while moisture insulators are usually used in buildings and facilities to prevent water and moisture penetration.