An interesting product, foam rubber, is starting to be popular in the market of thermal insulation materials . It is a product with a cellular structure of a closed type. Due to the lack of emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere, it can be considered safe for humans. Ecological cleanliness can significantly expand the scope.
The main advantages of the product
Before acquiring foamed rubber for thermal insulation of various designs and products, it is proposed to consider the positive qualities that it possesses. There are a lot of them, so only the most important of them are mentioned below.
So, the material has:
- rather low thermal conductivity, which makes it possible to reduce heat loss with a small thickness;
- good flexibility, providing a high-quality fit of the insulation even to curved surfaces;
- simple structure that does not contain additional layers;
- low vapor permeability coefficient, thereby increasing the service life.
When working with thermal insulation, you may need to purchase only a suitable fixing composition, which has a low cost. Some product types come with special self-adhesive tapes.
Common Options
To make foam synthetic rubber more convenient to use in a given situation, manufacturers supply it in various forms. The material is mainly produced in rolls, bundles or tubes. Each of these options is suitable for certain cases.
Insulation in the form of bundles is used to seal all kinds of joints between structural elements. Typically, thermal insulation products are purchased, the cross section of which varies in the range of 5-50 mm.
Actively used foamed rubber for pipes with a large diameter. It usually comes in compact rolls. The material is fixed around the circumference using adhesive. For conductive elements with a small cross section, thermal insulation in the form of small tubes is best suited.
Used additives in the production
Porous rubber is obtained by combining rubber with sulfur. However, with this option, there are significant limitations in terms of practical application. To change the physical properties of the basic substance, it is necessary to modify the structure of the material. This can be done by adding other components.
The use of accelerators reduces the time for vulcanization, thereby improving the physical characteristics of the base substance. Organic additives are more active, so they are used much more often. Ammonium carbonate or bicarbonate acts as a foaming component.
A bit about the scope
In many cases, reliable thermal insulation is required. Foamed rubber is an effective form of it. Its use is justified in many cases, which is associated with high performance. Typically, the material is used in the following cases:
- if necessary, to protect industrial equipment from vibration loads and overheating of parts;
- during isolation of joints between parts of technical structures and other mechanisms;
- for insulation of pipelines for ventilation, plumbing, and heating systems.
In schools, kindergartens, hospitals and other institutions where special requirements are imposed on environmental cleanliness, products without halogens and other harmful substances are used. This is due to the need to control directly the release of toxic gases during fire.
One of the well-known manufacturers
K-FLEX foam rubber is especially popular. The company engaged in its manufacture was established in 2005. The plant itself is located in the Moscow region. The production uses high-tech equipment, which is based on modern developments.
It is based on in-line extrusion technology, which allows for a continuous cycle of the manufacturing process. The company has the capacity to meet the demands of the Russian market. The number of products is constantly increasing. The purpose of a particular product is determined by the brand. Universal thermal insulation is designated ST. It can be operated in the temperature range from -200 to 105 degrees. The density of the material is usually 40 kg per cubic meter.
Since foamed rubber of this brand is characterized by good resistance to biological and chemical effects, it can be used in various industries. The insulation is supplied in rolls 1 m wide or 200 cm long tubes. High-temperature thermal insulation is available marked SOLAR HT. It is able to withstand temperatures up to +180 degrees. This is a fairly economical way to protect the pipelines of boiler equipment, as well as hot water and heating networks.
In conclusion
In most cases, foamed rubber comes with additional accessories in the form of self-adhesive tapes, tees, corners, plugs, mounting pins and other elements. When carrying out thermal insulation work, it is recommended to use an adhesive composition released by the same manufacturer as the material itself in order to achieve a high-quality result. Only if absolutely necessary can third-party products be used.