Foam polystyrene: description, classification, installation

Tariffs for heating the housing are constantly growing, and in this regard, people began to think about the possibilities of energy saving. Many are warming their apartments and houses. Use for this foam polystyrene facade, which is considered one of the best for these tasks. This material is also called expanded polystyrene. The technology of its production was developed in 1928, but in mass production this product went in 1937. And what else is known about this effective insulation material?

History of the invention of foam plastic

In 1839, the German specialist pharmacist randomly received styrene in the process of experiments with styrax. Then, after studying the substance discovered by him, Edward Simon noticed that the oily substance after some time self-compacted, turning into something like jelly. The pharmacist did not see any practical value in his discovery. The substance was called styrene oxide, and no one else did it.

This composition was returned in 1845. Chemists Bilit and Hoffmann became interested in styrene.

Thus, specialists from Germany and England conducted several own experiments and studies and in the course of this established that styrene turns into jelly without access to oxygen. Blyth and von Hoffmann called it metastyrene. Then, after 21 years, the process of compaction was called "polymerization".

In the 20s of the last century German specialist chemist Hermann Staudinger made an important discovery. During heating, styrene triggers a chain reaction, during which chains of macromolecules are formed. This discovery was then used to make various polymers and plastics.

Polyfoam in industrial production

The first process of synthesis of styrene was performed by researchers from The Dow Chemical Company. The same commercial production of polystyrene was started by Basf. In the 1930s, engineers developed and developed a technology for the production of polymerized styrene. In 1949, a patent was obtained for the production of beads foamed with pentane. Then, on the basis of this, the industrial production of such material as facade expanded polystyrene began.

How to produce it?

As a raw material, polystyrene is used in granules. To create cells use special reagents that foams the material.

At the first stage of production, pellets are put into the hopper, where pre-expansion occurs. The granules become spherical. To obtain an effective heat-insulating material with low density, this process is repeated several times.

Every time the balls become bigger and bigger. Between the stages of foaming, the balls are placed in a special hopper, where within 12-24 hours the pressure inside the granules stabilizes and the drying takes place.

Then the resulting product is placed in a special molding machine, where a block is formed under the influence of high-temperature steam. Granules, which are in a rather narrow mold, are glued together at high temperatures, maintaining their shape after cooling.

Blocks that are of serious size are cut to standard sizes. However, before this, the material is placed in intermediate storage. In the process of production, the foam facade collects moisture, and it is simply impossible to cut it evenly. There are two popular technologies for producing this insulation. This is a suspension, as well as a polarization in the mass. In the CIS countries, in Europe and America, both the first and the second method are successfully used.

Classification of expanded polystyrene

Today, this insulation is made using more advanced technologies, which allowed to significantly improve the properties of the material. So, today produce foamed polystyrene. The foaming process is started using a hydrocarbon. When heated, it becomes volatile, and the polystyrene beads swell and stick together.

Polyfoam facade is distinguished by manufacturing technology and is divided into groups. It is a heater, which is made by sintering technology, and a plate obtained by foaming their granules.

Also the material differs by labeling.

• PS - pressed foam.
• PSB - suspension nonpress.
• PSB-S - suspension non-pressing self-extinguishing.
• Extruded polystyrene foam - EPS.

The product brand PSB has a homogeneous dense structure. These characteristics and determined the scope of its use. Panels for the facade of this brand can have a density of up to 50 kg / m ³ .

Extruded polystyrene is one of the best materials. In the manufacturing process, extrusion is used. EPS is sufficiently resistant to various kinds of mechanical influences, has a high level of density and has excellent waterproofing characteristics.

The most common, affordable and popular among consumers is polystyrene PSB. It is widely used as a heater. However, if we compare it with the pressed material, the PSB significantly loses its strength.

Differences in thickness and density

The energy-saving characteristics that this material possesses are due to the low level of thermal conductivity. If we compare the foam facade with any other insulation available in the construction market, the energy-saving properties of the foam will be much higher. So, for example, a plate with a thickness of only 12 mm corresponds to a wall made of brick with a thickness of 2.1 m (or wood - 0.45 m).

Characteristics of popular brands of foam plastic

So, PSB-S-15 has a density of 10-11 kg / m ³ , PSB-25 - 15-16 kg / m ³ . Polyfoam PSB-25F facade in density - 16-17 kg / m ³ . The density of PSB C35 is 25-27 kg / m ³ , and PSB-C50 is 35-37 kg / m ³ .

Sufficient density for facade insulation

A reasonable solution will be the use of the PSB-35 material with a density of 25 kg / m ³ . You can choose a larger number. But in this case the heat-insulating properties are weaker. If you use the PSB-C-25, this material will not provide rigidity for the facade. In the process of finishing works, there are all risks to damage the slabs.

Plates of the brand PSB-15 can also serve as a heater and at the same time will not have significant loads on the walls of the house. However, this foam for the facade is practically not used - all the fault is low strength.

This brand is most often used for insulation of structures adjacent to the building. It can be the walls of various verandas or balconies. Also this brand is widely used in finishing works on corners or window openings.

Sufficient thickness for the foam

Often plates are used, the thickness of which is from 5 to 7 cm. This size is ideal for a huge number of buildings. Plates thickness of 150 mm are used where it is necessary to intensively insulate the wall. For example, it can be a heavily blown wall.

Do not use plates that are too thick. This can create certain difficulties, as well as unreasonable costs. In most cases it is best to use panels whose density is 35 kg / m ³ at a thickness of 15 cm than the PSB-C-25 100 cm thick and 25 kg / m ³ density.

Compatibility of facades and foam plastic

Depending on the building materials from which the building is built, there are suitable or unsuitable insulants for them. So, for houses from a bar it is better to apply mineral cotton wool.

But for concrete or brick buildings foam is more effective. Extruded polystyrene foam must be treated with flame retardant before use, as it is very flammable in its usual form.

Mounting technologies

Today, there are a lot of companies that produce the insulation material itself and all related materials for installation. Ceresit products are well proven. It is good that all the work is done by oneself. The process involves several stages.

Preparation

The entire surface of the wall must be prepared. So, all garbage, any protruding elements is removed. The surface is cleaned of everything that crumbles. Also, the preparatory stage involves the repair of joints between bricks.

If there are cracks in the concrete wall, they must be repaired. Cap should necessarily be saturated with "Aquastope". For maximum effect, the entire working part is treated with deep penetration primers.

Installation of hangers

The wall should be as flat as possible. In this case it will be possible to fix the panels for the facade firmly and reliably and get the surface ready for any further processing. The whole wall is hung with special cords to reveal irregularities and immediately remove them.

Sticky panels

For the installation of plates, Ceresit is used in this case.

But you can use other materials. This glue has one important feature. The mass must be applied immediately after preparation. An hour later, the glue will simply dry out and will not be usable. Glutinous mixture is applied over the entire area of the sheet or in five places, spreading the adhesive over the maximum area.

Sheets for work are best chosen with a rough surface. In the case of a smooth coating, its (roughness) is achieved manually. During the gluing process, each sheet is leveled.

Mating process

Panels in each row are staggered. For example, even rows begin with a panel cut in half. If the sheets do not coincide with each other and gaps are formed, foam is filled in between the sheets in liquid form. In this case, mounting foam is strictly prohibited.

Mechanical Installation

Leave the panels on the adhesive can not. The material can blow off with a strong wind. It can be quite expensive if you know how much a facade foam is. The price depends on the manufacturer and characteristics starts from 700 rubles per package and reaches 6,000 rubles. Each sheet is fixed using dowels. Five dowels are used for each panel. After completion of this process, each of the dowels must be treated with glue.

Then reinforcement is carried out, as well as plastering. For the first use of a glass mesh. They will need two kinds - use a hard and soft mesh. Soft will go for corners, and hard apply for walls. Then you can make decorative plaster or purchase a facade foam with a coating for different materials.

This technology is used almost everywhere. This method of insulation is very effective and helps to significantly reduce the cost of energy.