Thermal conductivity of polystyrene concrete: how important is this property?

Understanding a building material’s thermal conductivity is essential to maintaining comfort and energy efficiency in structures. Because of its insulating qualities and lightweight design, polystyrene concrete—a composite material created by combining cement and polystyrene beads—is becoming more and more popular in the building industry. The degree to which polystyrene concrete can insulate a structure is largely dependent on its thermal conductivity, also known as its capacity to conduct heat.

Because of its high resistance to heat transfer and low thermal conductivity, polystyrene concrete is prized for its qualities. Because of this feature, it is a great option for areas like external walls, floors, and roofs where thermal insulation is crucial. Polystyrene concrete contributes to energy savings through helping to maintain stable indoor temperatures and lowering the need for excessive heating or cooling by reducing the flow of heat through building envelopes.

Thermal conductivity in polystyrene concrete is significant because of how it affects a building’s overall energy efficiency. Strong heat gain or loss can occur in buildings made of materials with high thermal conductivity, increasing the energy needed for heating and cooling. Conversely, by acting as good insulation, low-therm conductivity materials like polystyrene concrete reduce these energy losses.

Furthermore, the durability and structural performance of polystyrene concrete are influenced by its thermal conductivity. Lower thermal conductivity helps mitigate problems like thermal expansion and contraction, which can affect long-term stability, by reducing temperature differentials within the material. This feature is especially crucial in areas with variable climates, where materials have to be able to tolerate changes in temperature over time.

In order to choose the best materials, builders and architects must have a thorough understanding of polystyrene concrete’s thermal conductivity. It enables them to plan and build structures that satisfy energy efficiency requirements while also offering cozy living or working spaces. With the growing importance of sustainability and energy conservation in construction practices, materials such as polystyrene concrete present practical ways to improve building performance while minimizing environmental impact.

Briefly about polystyrene concrete

Let’s first take a brief look at the material and examine the values of the attributes that depend on each other for the thermal conductivity coefficient.

Characteristics of the material

The presence of polystyrene chips, which lessen the products’ weight while maintaining their strength and density, is what distinguishes polystyrene concrete.

The composition also consists of sand, water, cement, and saponified resin. Certain impurities are also permitted in the form of additives that raise the final product’s quality.

Principal characteristics of the substance:

• The minimum established by the state standard is 25 cycles.
• Frost resistance of blocks of different brands can vary significantly. Some products barely reach the minimum, while others significantly exceed it.
• That is why before buying, you should carefully read the technical characteristics of the material and compare products from different manufacturers.

Kindly take note! It is important to keep in mind that other qualities will be negatively impacted by the high heat retention capacity. We’ll talk about this dependence below.

Types of products and features of their application

Polystyrene concrete is available in multiple types based on density, which also affects other indicators’ numerical values and the range of applications.

• Thermal insulation material has an average density not exceeding 300 kg / m3. Minimum value – 150. As it becomes obvious, such polystyrene concrete is used exclusively as a heat-insulating and sound-insulating material.
• Thermal insulation and structural polystyrene concrete blocks have a density of about 300-400 kg / m3. They can be used both as thermal insulation and in the construction of structures that are not expected to be exposed to serious loads.
• The structural and heat-insulating type is characterized by an average density of 500-600 kg/m3. It can be used to build walls and partitions.

Products come in various varieties:

• Wall blocks used in the construction of walls;
• Partition blocks used as a material for installing partitions;
• Ventilation blocks characterized by the presence of specialized holes for wiring communications;
• Products with a front, that is, facing side. When using them, there is no need to finish the house from the outside.

Thermal insulation is the material’s most popular application. Polystyrene concrete insulation has gained popularity because of its low thermal conductivity coefficient and affordable price. A broad spectrum of customers can purchase the products because the material is reasonably priced.

There are various ways to insulate walls using polystyrene concrete as well as other materials and coatings:

• Use of block products;
• Use of the material in liquid form.

The final choice is the most typical.

• Device of the base for warm floors;
• Insulation of roofs, ceilings;
• As a material when filling frames for insulation and in many other cases.

It is important to note that using the material only requires your hands; special skills are not needed. All you’ll need is a small set of tools and the instructions.

The benefits and drawbacks of polystyrene concrete are discussed in the article’s video.

The thermal conductivity coefficient of polystyrene concrete, and its dependence on other indicators

Let’s investigate the factors that affect the capacity to sustain temperatures.

Prioritizing the density and strength of products is important because they are formed during the production stage through adjustments to the raw material proportions. Use the table, please.

Concrete made of polystyrene: density and thermal conductivity

Type of material depending on average density	Its value, kg/m3	Thermal conductivity value, W*mC
Structural and thermal insulation	600	0.17
	500	0.14-0.15
Thermal insulation and structural	400	0.10-0.13
Thermal insulation	300	0.08-0.09
	200	0.07
	150	0.05-0.06

That is, a material’s thermal conductivity increases in tandem with its density.

What drawbacks follow for goods that have a high heat retention capacity?

1. Their frost resistance is not standardized, it will be extremely low;
2. Durability – reduced;
3. Hygroscopicity – increased;
4. Fragility;
5. Low density.

Low weight and low cost are advantages.

How to increase the ability of polystyrene concrete to maintain temperature, calculating the thickness of the walls

Let’s now determine how to alter properties that are related to each other, like density and thermal conductivity. And to start, we’ll use an average region as an example to determine the necessary wall thickness.

We calculate the optimal wall thickness

The thermal conductivity coefficient’s reverse value, or the heat transfer indicator, must be determined in order to determine the necessary wall thickness. Each region has a different value, which is shown in SNiP.

About 3.4 is the average indicator.

To make things easier, figure out the wall’s thickness without accounting for insulation or later decorating. Assume that D600 density products will be used. They have a heat conductivity of roughly 0.17 W*ms. 0.578 cm = 0.17 * 3.4 =.

The thermal conductivity of the insulation and facing material must be considered when performing more precise calculations. The heat transfer indicator’s values must be subtracted from them, then changed once more.

For illustration, suppose that cladding has a heat conductivity coefficient of 0.5 and insulation of 0.02. 3.4-0.5-0.02 = 2.88; 0.17*2.88 = 0.49 cm is the number we count.

Changing characteristics during the production and installation of products

The following methods can be used to alter the density and properties of thermal insulation:

• Even at the stage of the production cycle, density can be increased by changing the proportions of raw materials: there should be more cement, and the percentage of polystyrene chips should be less. In this case, the density, strength and weight of the finished material will increase.

• There are also specialized additives that affect the ratio of density and thermal conductivity, they are added at the stage of preparing the mixture.

Note: Carefully dose all components when producing on your own to ensure the desired outcome. This is typically the case because developers are unable to justify the expenses because many faulty products are released.

• Heat treatment of products will also increase the density of the material.
• When laying products, it is necessary to use a specialized composition, with its help you can reduce cold bridges and, as a result, increase the ability to retain heat.
• With the help of insulation, the thermal insulation index will also be increased.

Comparison of the thermal conductivity of polystyrene concrete with its main competitors

Thermal conductivity of polystyrene concrete in comparison to other materials:

Name	Thermal conductivity, W*mC	Density index, kg/m3
Polystyrene concrete	0.05-0.17	150-600
Aerated concrete	0.09-0.34	300-1200
Expanded clay concrete	0.14-0.45	400-2000
Foam concrete	0.08-0.33	300-1200
Ceramic brick	0.6	1400-2000
Silicate brick	0.6	1500-1900

For the purpose of assessing polystyrene concrete’s performance in different construction applications, it is essential to comprehend its thermal conductivity. This characteristic affects the material’s insulating capabilities by describing how well it conducts heat. Compared to conventional concrete, polystyrene concrete, which is made of cement, sand, water, and expanded polystyrene beads, has less heat conductivity. Because of this feature, it is a great option for projects requiring high levels of insulation, like infrastructure in colder climates and residential and commercial buildings.

Because it can lessen heat transfer through floors, walls, and roofs, low thermal conductivity is important for improving energy efficiency. Over time, buildings built with polystyrene concrete will experience lower heating and cooling costs due to their improved ability to maintain stable indoor temperatures. This benefit lowers overall energy consumption and carbon footprint, which not only helps with savings but also supports sustainable building practices.

Polystyrene concrete’s thermal characteristics also help to raise occupant comfort levels in buildings. Occupants can benefit from a more consistent and cozy interior climate all year round by reducing heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. This feature is especially helpful in areas with large temperature swings, as preserving thermal stability is critical to the health and longevity of building occupants.

Additionally, the construction industry’s efforts toward sustainable development goals are aided by the use of polystyrene concrete. Because of its light weight, it emits less carbon dioxide during transportation than other building materials. Furthermore, polystyrene concrete’s strength and insulating qualities lengthen building lifespans and minimize maintenance needs, which increases its allure in both residential and commercial construction projects.

In summary, the suitability of polystyrene concrete for contemporary construction applications is significantly influenced by its thermal conductivity. Polystyrene concrete is becoming a more popular and environmentally friendly option for builders and developers looking for long-lasting and effective building solutions because of its superior insulation qualities, ability to lower energy consumption, improvement of occupant comfort, and support for sustainable building practices.

The thermal conductivity of polystyrene concrete becomes apparent as a critical characteristic. This property controls the concrete’s ability to transfer heat, which affects the material’s overall energy performance and insulation effectiveness. Better insulation results from lower thermal conductivity, which can dramatically lower building heating and cooling expenses. Hence, for builders, engineers, and architects who want to design sustainable and affordable structures, understanding and optimizing polystyrene concrete’s thermal conductivity is essential to improving energy efficiency in construction.

Video on the topic

Polystyrene concrete, thermal conductivity, comfort.

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Thermal insulation properties of polystyrene concrete

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thermal conductivity of expanded polystyrene concrete and brick.

❗️DO NOT BUY POLYSTYRENE CONCRETE BLOCKS in St. Petersburg #shorts #polystyrene concrete