Thermal conductivity of fibrous insulating materials
- Unifrax Corp., Niagara Falls, NY (United States)
Fibrous insulation materials have gained increasing popularity in a broad range of applications because their low thermal conductivity and low mass lead to energy savings. Accurate measurement and reporting of thermal conductivity is an important factor in designing insulation systems that balance process requirements with cost. This work is based on experience with refractory ceramic fiber (RCF), but the general principles apply to all synthetic vitreous fiber (also known as man-made vitreous fiber, MMVF) products, including glass and mineral wool. Several test methods have been devised for measuring thermal conductivity. The four methods that have been adopted by ASTM standard methods are: guarded hot plate (ASTM C 17.7); calorimeter (ASTM C 201); heat-flow meter (ASTM C 518); hot wire (ASTM C 1113). With the exception of the hot-wire method, each method works by establishing a steady-state heat flux across a specimen of known geometry. Thermal conductivity is derived from the measured heat flux through fundamental principles of heat flow. The industrial and scientific community generally accepts the guarded-hot-plate method as the most reproducible and best-suited method for use with fibrous insulating materials.
- OSTI ID:
- 477146
- Journal Information:
- American Ceramic Society Bulletin, Journal Name: American Ceramic Society Bulletin Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 76; ISSN 0002-7812; ISSN ACSBA7
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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