Foamed polyethylene foil: description, properties, use and reviews

The basic building materials from which constructions are constructed and coverings are made can not always perform isolation tasks. The same brick walls or foundation foundation of concrete screed require mandatory cover with protective raw materials. Such barriers are needed to protect against cold, moisture and noise. One of the most accessible insulators is foamed polyethylene foil. Its main task is warming. Use this coating as a universal insulating barrier in private homes and enterprises.

General information about the heater

Although recently the construction market is more oriented towards environmentally friendly natural raw materials, there are exceptions. These include foam polyethylene. The material can not be called toxic and dangerous. However, in residential premises synthetic insulators are still not recommended. But in technical and operational qualities, such coatings show themselves from the best sides.

Practicality and versatility are the main advantages that foamed polyethylene foil made popular. The price of the insulator, which is about 1-1.5 thousand rubles. For a 15-meter roll, also contributes to its spread. By the way, natural insulants are much more expensive and can not always provide the same efficiency in terms of insulation. In addition to rolls, the material is also available in the market in the form of panels and harnesses, which expands the possibilities for installation.

Technology of manufacturing cross-linked polyethylene

This material can be obtained by two methods - radiation and chemical. Let's talk about them in more detail. Chemically crosslinked foam material is produced by high pressure. In the manufacturing process, special antioxidants and pathogens are added to the formulation. Further, the basis for polyethylene in the thermoplastic state is spread and formed in accordance with the requirements for the finished product.

In turn, reactors in the form of peroxides act to create transverse ligaments and disintegrate under the influence of high temperatures. In addition, cross-linked foamed polyethylene is subjected to a substitution reaction of hydrogen atoms by unsaturated carbon elements. This process allows the formation of a spatial structure of the bound elements of the radicals, which, in practice, causes a high strength of the material to break. In the application of radiation technology, the combination of molecules occurs under the action of a chemical reaction, but under the conditions of a directed energy beam.

Method of production of non-crosslinked polyethylene

Non-woven insulation based on polyethylene is formed by foaming the substrate with freons or propano-butane mass. In the technical support of the process, it is mandatory to use a special extruder. Under pressure, the plant feeds the polyethylene melt and mixes it with the foam reagent, which is the propane-butane mixture. At the moment of exiting the extruder, the external pressure is lowered, as a result of which gas expansion takes place. As a result, a foamed polyethylene foil with a non-crosslinked type is formed. Then the material finally hardens and takes the form of a commodity supply.

Main characteristics of the material

In the selection of material for insulation of structural parts of the house should be guided by the requirements for them in terms of operational properties. Further, based on the conclusions made, it is possible to start analyzing the target material in terms of characteristics. The main parameters are the width and thickness. As for roll insulators of this type, they have a thickness of 5-10 mm, and the width can reach 1200 mm.

Also pay attention to the density of the structure, which forms foamed polyethylene foil. Load characteristics for this indicator are on the average 20-30 kg / m ³ . The heat conductivity index is also paramount in terms of the thermal insulation function. It averages 0.04 W / (m * C). It can not be said that this is an outstanding value of the heat-saving function, but by average standards against the background of other insulators, the indicator is not bad. In any case, the complex finishing of the house with foamed polyethylene is more likely to cope with the tasks assigned to it.

Operational properties

The insulation has a high elasticity and elasticity, which makes it possible to use it in the most difficult areas. So, individual fragments can be laid in docking spaces between the elements of the coating. In addition to the thermal insulation function, the material also protects the object from noise and vapor penetration. It can be said that this is a complex insulator with no specific specialization.

However, unlike many artificial insulators, foamed polyethylene foil does not burn, which increases its ability to resist fires. Under the influence of high temperatures, the insulator does not deform and retains the original structure. It is worth noting the mechanical stability. In this case, it is a foil modification, which has a metallized protective coating. The layer just protects the functional basis of the insulation from physical damage.

Types of insulator

Technical qualities of the material and functional characteristics vary depending on the brand. For example, a heater with the designation "A" is provided with a layer of foil on only one side. Therefore, it is advisable to use it in combination with other insulators. Conversely, the modification of the "B" series is a material with a two-sided foil coating. This is the best variant. Accordingly, insulation with foil-foamed polyethylene of this type is carried out as an independent without the addition of other insulators.

Quite popular is the modification "C", which is also characterized by the presence of two functional sides, but with different properties. One is provided with a metallized protective layer, and the other with a self-adhesive adhesive treatment. There are other versions of the insulation, which differ in the characteristics of the coatings.

Scope of the material

Primarily the insulator is used in the insulation of houses, bath rooms and pipelines. In particular, builders trimmed with polyethylene foam walls, partitions, floors between floors and openings, thus reducing the number of bridges of cold. Also, the insulator protects the attic, roofing and floor coverings from unwanted heat spills.

For bath rooms, it is preferable to use thick foamed polyethylene foil - 10 mm, for example, it will be sufficient to seal the window openings and the roof of the object. The same parameters should be selected in works with pipelines. Especially in outdoor conditions, the winding of communication elements should be carried out with a material with enhanced protective properties and a dense structure.

Stacking material

Mounting of the coating is carried out with the help of adhesive compounds. On the pre-treated surface should be applied, then evenly fix the insulator. There are also two aspects that can change the process. First of all, many manufacturers today produce foamed polyethylene foil self-adhesive, which can be stacked without the use of separate binding components. In this case, one side will be foil and the other side will be glued. The second factor can complicate the workflow. If the configuration of the installation of the finishing material allows, then between it and the heater it is recommended to leave a technological air gap. The optimal option is the execution of the battens with rails 10-15 mm thick.

Positive feedback about the insulator

Directly operational properties are manifested at a decent level, which is noted by many users of insulation. The coating is easy to install, practically does not cause any difficulty in handling. It is profitable in terms of financial costs. Actually, these are the main moments of the positive experience of using the material. But there are less noticeable aspects, which should also be taken into account if such insulation is chosen. Foamed polyethylene foil has practically no effect on the structure of the formation of the facing coating. If you omit the requirement to leave an air gap, then it can act as a substrate for future finishing, which will also go into a plus.

Negative feedback

Positive quality in the form of a soft and elastic structure can also have a negative impact on operation. In particular, some home owners say that the lack of rigidity makes it difficult to use in combination with wallpaper or plaster. There are also complaints about the quality of the self-adhesive base. But it depends on the conscientiousness of the manufacturer, who developed a specific insulation.

Foamed polyethylene foil with unsatisfactory coupling function in extreme cases can be fixed with building adhesives. Experts also do not recommend considering this material as a full-fledged insulation. The polyethylene foam base is good as a universal insulator, protecting the home from noise and moisture. But especially for heat saving, such coatings can only be used as a supplement.

Conclusion

This variant of a heater is advantageous to acquire precisely as a means of integrated protection. If the insulator is successfully combined with the finish and its fixation is correct, one can count on the quite acceptable barrier function from external negative factors. In addition, at a price foamed polyethylene with foil coating and can be considered as one of the most profitable solutions in its class. True, the lack of confidence in the environmental safety of polyethylene still repels a large part of the homeowners from such a decision. Other users tend to minimize the chemical exposure factor by applying the insulator only in the exterior trim and roof construction.