EPS, XPS & Polyiso insulation | everything you need to know

EPS, XPS, and Polyiso insulation: we’re going to look into how they are made and compare their physical and chemical properties.

Chapters
0:00 EPS Expanded Polystyrene
2:25 EPS Advantages
3:39 EPS Disadvantages
4:20 XPS Extruded Polystyrene
5:30 XPS Advantages
6:16 XPS Disadvantages
6:52 Polyisocyanurate
7:52 Polyiso Advantages
8:40 Polyiso Disadvantages

EPS The monomer styrene is composed of a benzene ring (C6H6) and ethylene. They are both made by the petrochemical industry. Under heat or by an initiator like benzoyl peroxide, the double bond between the carbon atoms is converted into a single bond and a polymer chain called polystyrene is formed. This liquid polystyrene is dropped in water to form droplets or beads. Highest R value per dollar, closed cell foam makes it an excellent insulator, no thermal drift or loss or R value over time, no off gassing on site, no chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs or even hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFCs in the blowing process, 100% recyclable. Disadvantages are bromine fire retardant, can attract ants and termites, flammable, not bio-degradable.

XPS is Styrofoam. Chemically, it’s made of the same as EPS, it’s a hydrocarbon chain of styrene, but rather than being formed into droplets and then expanded, it is foamed up. Advantages: Inexpensive, closed cell foam makes it an excellent insulator, no thermal drift or loss or R value over time, moisture & mildew resistant, greater ocmpressive strength, 100% recyclable. Disadvantages: Uses HFCs as a blowing agent, bromine fire retardent, can attract ants and termites, not biodegradable.

Polyisocyanurato/polyiso is made by combining 3 main components, MDI or methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, polyol and a blowing agent. When these components are mixed, along with small amounts of catalysts, an exothermic chemical reaction causes the liquid blowing agent to boil. This expands the foam, creating tightly packed gas-filled cells. This foam has to be sprayed against a substrate to form a rigid panel, so all ISO panels are faced with either foil or paper. Advantages. Highest R value per inch, stable over a large temperature range, low water absorption, not affected by chemicals, pentane blowing agent. Disadvantages. Most expensive of the 3, uses halogen fire retardant, doesn't work well in cold climates, least ecofriendly & worst thermal drift.
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#eps #insulation #polyiso #chemicals #foamboard #styrofoam