Phenolic insulation board: the ideal choice for high-performance insulation materials - characteristics, applications and environmental advantages
In order to comply with EU regulations, the foaming gas must be free of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), that is, have zero ozone depletion potential and have a low impact on global warming. The most commonly used blowing agent in the production of this type of insulation material is pentane - a hydrocarbon with properties similar to butane and hexane. The surface of the rigid phenolic board is covered with airtight aluminum foil or cellophane to reduce the escape of the blowing agent during the manufacturing process.
Characteristics and application of phenolic insulation materials
Phenolic insulation material is a rigid insulation material with a closed-cell structure, which is widely used in construction projects such as pipes, walls, roofs and floors. Due to its excellent design and thermal performance, it is one of the most widely used and thermally efficient insulation materials. The R-value of a single phenolic insulation board is usually between R-6 and R-24, but by stacking two sheets, higher R-values ​​such as R-30 to R-45 can be achieved, depending on the thickness.
Due to their very low thermal conductivity, phenolic insulation products provide excellent thermal insulation properties, allowing the specified insulation effect to be achieved with minimal thickness. This is particularly important in situations where space needs to be saved.
Application areas include:
Exterior wall insulation and plastering
Insulation material for filling partial cavity walls
Pitched roofs
Rainscreen systems
Insulation under purlins
Solid and suspended floors
Main features:
High closed porosity (>95%) and fine pore structure
Lightweight, easy to transport, handle and install
Good compressive strength, suitable for flooring
Resistant to fungal and mold growth, no breeding of pests
Can withstand continuous high temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius
Excellent moisture resistance, with minimal effect on its thermal performance
Dimensionally stable, can be precisely cut to suit different space requirements
Excellent fire resistance, low flame spread and smoke emissions
Production process and environmental considerations
Phenolic insulation materials are made using a wet foam mixture process, which is first added to the bottom surface, then expanded and contacted with the top layer, then baked under pressure and cured in a second oven. The finished product is cut to size and packaged.
This insulation material not only has a high closed-cell rate, but also has a lower thermal conductivity than EPS, XPS, PIR or mineral fiber products, enabling it to provide the required insulation performance in a thinner form factor. In addition, it has excellent fire resistance, low smoke emissions, and environmentally friendly characteristics of zero ODP and low GWP.
Although it is not biodegradable, discarded phenolic insulation materials can still be recycled and reused, thus reducing resource waste. As a versatile material, phenolic foam has shown unique advantages in applications that require thermal performance, moisture resistance, fire resistance and structural strength.
