In addition to important factors like thermal efficiency and moisture resistance, insulation in cold storage flooring needs to have adequate compressive strength characteristics. It must be capable of bearing the load of the other floor materials as well as the dynamic and static weight of stored goods and human activity in the cold storage facility.

Assessing Compression Behaviour for Cold Storage Flooring

The ability for a material like insulation to resist the loads applied to it is assessed and declared by measuring its compression behaviour. The test method for insulation materials involves a sample being placed between two plates of the testing apparatus with different degrees of force applied. The assessed compression behaviour of an insulation material can vary depending on the test method and standards. 

In one case, it can refer to the load that compresses the insulation by 10% of its thickness, resulting in relative deformation to the original sample thickness. Alternatively, it can refer to the load “at yield”, which is the point at which the insulation material can be described to have failed before compressing by 10%. 

Importance of Compressive Strength in Cold Storage Floors

An insulation material would never be used in a situation where it could potentially compress by 10%. The consequences of that much movement could not be tolerated by any materials in the construction of cold storage flooring. Assessing compression behaviour and specifying the correct insulation for flooring is essential for safety and the correct function of a cold storage structure.

Insulated concrete slabs are a common requirement in cold storage facilities. The insulation used in cold storage floors must therefore be capable of supporting heavy loads. This includes structural loads from the floor itself in addition to stored goods and dynamic loads from things like foot traffic and heavy vehicles driving across the floor. 

Compressive Creep

Another important consideration when specifying insulation for cold storage floors is accounting for compressive creep. Long-term loading creates a progressive compression that affects different materials in different ways. The long-term effect of loads therefore requires a different measure – compressive creep. Static weight from stored goods is more likely to be the cause of compressive creep.

Unfortunately, many insulation material manufacturers don’t test for compressive creep, as it requires a testing period from 122 days to 608 days, depending on the period of years being simulated – 10, 25 or 50 years. Some manufacturers declare compressive creep as ‘compressive strength at 2% compression’ or similar since the overall compression evidenced is typically around 2%. 

Compressive Strength Characteristics of XPS Foam

XPS foam offers one of the broadest ranges of compressive strengths and is one of the few insulation products where manufacturers invest the time to test and declare compressive creep. The uniformly distributed closed cells in XPS foam give it superior compressive strength characteristics. This makes it a reliable and long-lasting solution when used in cold storage floors that must bear heavy loads. 

XPS foam also has several other characteristics in addition to high compressive strength that make it ideal for use in cold storage flooring. It has a high, stable, and predictable thermal conductivity, is highly resistant to moisture, is incredibly durable and has a long lifespan. 

Technonicol’s Carbon XPS foam series comes in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and compressive strengths to meet the demands of any cold storage flooring specification. Technonicol’s Carbon Prof 300 and Carbon Solid 500 are ideal for cold storage flooring as Carbon Prof 300 offers a minimum compressive strength of 300 kPa and Carbon Solid 500 offers a minimum compressive strength of 500 kPa making them more than capable of accommodating the higher floor loads found in cold storage facilities. 

Related Questions

Why is water resistance so important?

Water is an excellent conductor of heat, so moisture drastically reduces the thermal performance of insulation. Moisture resistance is especially important in areas such as cold storage flooring. XPS foam insulation is a closed-cell insulation made via an extrusion manufacturing process meaning it is free of tiny voids or spacing between the cells unlike other materials like expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. This makes it highly resistant to water absorption and water vapour transmission.

Can XPS foam withstand freeze/thaw cycles?

A closed-cell construction enables XPS foam to resist freeze-thaw cycles, which is a key requirement for cold storage floor insulation. Moisture that gets into tiny gaps of other insulating materials will shrink and expand as it goes through the freeze/thaw cycle, causing it to deteriorate and lose its thermal performance over time.

The post Compressive Strength Requirements for Insulation in Cold Storage Floors appeared first on PLASTEK.

Cold storage facilities often need to maintain low operating temperatures of up to -30°C. Without effective insulation that limits heat gain, a lot of stress is placed on refrigeration equipment and energy usage and running costs can quickly get out of control. Cold storage floor insulation requires performance in 3 key areas.

1. Thermal Performance

All insulation is designed to block the flow of heat from warm areas to cooler areas, but different materials vary significantly in their thermal performance. Rigid XPS foam boards are the best option for cold storage applications because they are durable and have high R-values.

Extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam is ideal as it is the most versatile and reliable, offering stable, long-term R-values regardless of the application. Other insulation materials can become less effective over time, leading to higher energy costs as time goes on.

2. Moisture Performance

Water is an excellent conductor of heat, meaning moisture reduces the thermal performance of insulation. This makes it crucial to consider moisture resistance, especially in areas such as under concrete slabs. XPS foam insulation is a closed-cell insulation made via an extrusion manufacturing process.

As a result, XPS foam insulation is free of tiny voids or spacing between the cells unlike other materials like EPS. This makes it highly resistant to water absorption and water vapour transmission so it can maintain a high R-value even in the presence of a lot of water.

A closed-cell construction also enables XPS foam to resist freeze-thaw cycles, which is a key requirement for ground floor insulation. Moisture that gets into tiny gaps of other insulating materials will shrink and expand as it goes through the freeze/thaw cycle, causing it to deteriorate and lose its R-value over time. XPS foam repels water and can withstand more than 1000 freeze/thaw cycles.

3. Compressive Strength

As mentioned earlier, insulated concrete slabs are a common requirement in cold storage facilities. The insulation used must be capable of supporting heavy loads. This includes structural loads from things like stored goods and dynamic loads from things like heavy vehicles driving across the floor.

The uniformly distributed closed cells in XPS foam give it superior compressive strength characteristics. This makes it a reliable and long lasting solution when used in cold storage building foundations and floors bearing heavy loads.

Technonicol XPS Foam – Ideal for Cold Storage Insulation

XPS foam insulation is ideal because it has a high, stable and predictable thermal conductivity, is resistant to moisture and is highly durable. Technonicol’s Carbon XPS foam insulation series comes in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and compressive strengths to meet the demands of any cold storage application.

For example, Technonicol’s Carbon Solid XPS foam is ideal for loading bearing floors in cold storage facilities. It offers a minimum compressive strength of 500 kPa, making it more than capable of accommodating higher floor loads in cold storage facilities.

Contact Plastek for Cold Storage XPS Foam Insulation

At Plastek, we have extensive experience consulting and supplying XPS foam products, helping to optimise projects by providing the ideal solutions. We can recommend the right Carbon XPS foam product for your specific project, ensuring a functional and high performance solution for your building.

Related Questions

How is EPS foam made?

EPS is made by placing small beads of polystyrene polymer in a mould and then expanding them by applying heat or steam to the mould. This process fuses the beads together in irregular patterns. This tends to result in tiny gaps being left between the foam cells. The continuous extrusion process used to produce XPS foam insulation leaves no such tiny gaps.

Why is XPS foam a better insulator than EPS foam?

The voids found in EPS insulation conduct heat due to the air and any water that gets inside them.

How long does XPS foam last?

Due to its firmness and water resistance, XPS foam insulation will generally last 100 years or more. XPS insulation is also 100% recyclable and can be salvaged once a building is remodelled or demolished.

The post 3 Key Considerations When Choosing Cold Storage Insulation appeared first on PLASTEK.

Most classic flooring options like concrete perform poorly when it comes to maintaining indoor temperatures. The right type of floor insulation can combat this, preventing heat transfer, lowering energy bills and making it easier to maintain the required refrigeration levels. Technonicol’s Carbon extruded polystyrene XPS foam insulation is ideal for this.

Thermal Insulation Design for Cold Storage Buildings

Insulation and refrigeration are two equally important components when it comes to maintaining the proper, consistent temperature required in a cold storage facility. Without the right design considerations, energy costs will be high and warm pockets will exist within the facility, potentially compromising stored goods. The type of insulation used in cold storage buildings has evolved over time as technology has advanced.

Expanded polystyrene EPS foam is commonly used. However, XPS foam is now the preferred option for multiple reasons. It’s stronger, more resistant to moisture and can be used continuously to prevent thermal transfer beneath the floor. EPS loses its insulating properties when exposed to moisture and is compressed, both of which are likely when installed under flooring in cold storage applications.

Insulating Against the Heat

In residential properties, insulation is usually installed with the key goal of keeping heat in. In cold storage facilities and commercial refrigeration, the goal is obviously to keep heat out. Cold storage buildings absorb more heat than a typical building. Effective insulation is there to decrease the load on the refrigeration equipment and reduce energy usage.

XPS Foam Insulation – Ideal for Cold Storage Flooring

Unlike EPS, XPS foam insulation doesn’t have any tiny voids or spacing between the cells due to the continuous extrusion production process. This is what makes it better at reducing heat transfer and repelling water absorption and water vapour transmission. This makes XPS foam unique in being able to maintain low thermal conductivity in the presence of a lot of water. This is essential considering the higher presence of moisture and condensation in cold storage spaces.

Carbon XPS foam insulation is lightweight and easy to work with, adaptable to various kinds of floor constructions. It’s strong enough to insulate load bearing floors. A closed-cell construction means XPS foam can withstand freeze-thaw cycles that ground floor insulation is often exposed to. This helps maintain the R-value of the insulation as well as preventing premature deterioration.

The Importance of Compressive Strength for Floor Insulation

Compressive strength is another important consideration when it comes to flooring insulation. In cold storage applications, it will usually need to withstand the weight of stored goods, racking assemblies and dynamic weight from heavy vehicles. Insulated concrete slabs are common in cold storage facilities. These slabs and the layers below it must be capable of supporting heavy loads.

Uniformly distributed closed cells in XPS foam gives it superior compressive strength characteristics when compared to EPS. This makes it a reliable and long lasting solution when used in cold storage floors that must withstand heavy loads. Technonicol’s Carbon Solid XPS foam is ideal for this particular application as it offers a minimum compressive strength of 500kPa. This makes it more than capable of accommodating higher floor loads in cold storage facilities.

Insulating Cold Storage Floors with Technonicol XPS Foam

Technonicol’s Carbon XPS foam range comes in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and compressive strengths to meet the demands of flooring insulation in cold storage facilities. It is:

• Extremely durable
• Highly resistant to moisture
• Guaranteed to have low, stable and predictable thermal conductivity
• Able to withstand temperature changes and freeze/thaw cycles.

At Plastek, we have extensive experience consulting and supplying these XPS foam products, helping to optimise projects by providing the ideal solutions. We can recommend the right Carbon XPS foam product for your specific project, ensuring a functional and high performance solution for your building.

Related Questions

Why is XPS foam a better insulator than EPS foam?

EPS insulation is produced by expanding polystyrene beads whereas XPS is produced by extruding beads through a die. The production process behind EPS tends to result in the beads expanding unevenly, leaving tiny gaps. These gaps conduct heat due to the air and moisture that gets inside them. XPS foam is free of any gaps/voids, meaning it repels water and limits heat transfer in both wet and dry environments.

Is XPS foam environmentally friendly?

XPS foam is 100% recyclable and contributes enormously to reducing energy use, making it very eco-friendly. Once installed in a cold storage facility, it lasts decades and significantly lowers the carbon footprint of the building over its lifespan.

Does XPS foam prevent condensation problems in cold storage buildings?

XPS foam insulation can withstand moisture and condensation. However, it’s important to include ventilation in the design to prevent excess moisture inside the cold storage facility.

The post Benefits of Using XPS Foam for Cold Storage Flooring Insulation appeared first on PLASTEK.

What to Look for in Cold Storage Floor Insulation

Cold storage buildings can have low operating temperatures of minus 30 degrees. Without effective insulation that limits heat gain, energy usage, running costs and carbon footprint spiral out of control. Carbon XPS foam floor insulation is ideal because it has a high, stable and predictable thermal conductivity, is resistant to moisture and highly durable.

Insulation must have the lowest thermal conductivity possible because cold storage buildings absorb more heat. Thermal efficiency is essential for decreasing the load on the refrigeration equipment and reducing energy use. Compressive strength is also important as insulation in cold storage floor applications needs to withstand the weight of material handling equipment, stored goods in concentrated areas, stress from racking assemblies and the weight of the building itself.

Why Choose XPS Foam Insulation?

XPS foam insulation is a closed-cell insulation made via an extrusion manufacturing process. This means that unlike other forms of insulation like EPS, XPS foam insulation doesn’t have any tiny voids or spacing between the cells. This reduces heat transfer and makes it highly resistant to water absorption and water vapour transmission, meaning it can maintain low thermal conductivity in the presence of a lot of water. The moisture-resistant properties of XPS foam are particularly important for cold storage applications as there tends to be more moisture and condensation in these interior spaces.

XPS Foam Insulates Cold Storage Floors Better

One major area of concern in cold storage facilities is thermal transfer via the floor. In other words, energy and heat entering the building from below. Traditional flooring options, such as concrete, are ineffective in preventing thermal transfer without a high performance insulation material.

It’s crucial to use a closed-cell insulation material because of the freeze-thaw cycle ground floor insulation must deal with. Moisture that gets into tiny gaps of other insulating materials will shrink and expand as it goes through the freeze/thaw cycle. This drastically lowers the effectiveness of the insulation as well as causing it to deteriorate. XPS foam insulation repels water and can withstand freeze/thaw cycles.

Compressive Strength Requirements for Load Bearing Floors

Insulated concrete slabs are common in cold storage facilities. These slabs and the layers below it must be capable of supporting heavy loads. This includes structural loads from things like stored goods and dynamic loads from things like heavy vehicles driving across the floor. Uniformly distributed closed cells in XPS foam insulation give it superior compressive strength characteristics. This makes it a reliable and long lasting solution when used in building foundations and floors bearing heavy loads.

Technonicol’s Carbon Prof and Carbon Solid XPS foams are ideal for load bearing floors. Carbon Prof offers a minimum compressive strength of 300 kPa, and Carbon Solid offers a minimum compressive strength of 500 kPa, making both products more than capable of accommodating floor loads in cold storage facilities.

Technonicol XPS Foam – Ideal for Cold Storage Insulation

Technonicol’s Carbon XPS foam insulation range comes in a variety of thicknesses and compressive strengths to meet the demands of every cold storage application. This high quality insulation is:

• Extremely durable
• Capable of bearing heavy loads
• Highly resistant to moisture
• Guaranteed to have low, stable and predictable thermal conductivity
• Able to withstand the stresses of temperature changes and freeze/thaw cycles.

At Plastek, we have extensive experience consulting and supplying XPS foam insulation products, helping to optimise projects by providing the ideal solutions. We can recommend the right Carbon XPS foam insulation product for your specific project, ensuring a functional and high performance solution for your building.

Related Questions

Why is XPS foam a better insulator than EPS foam?

The voids found in EPS insulation conduct heat due to the air inside them.

How is EPS foam made?

EPS is made by placing small beads of polystyrene polymer in a mould and then expanding them by applying heat or steam to the mould. This process fuses the beads together in irregular patterns. This tends to result in tiny gaps being left between the foam cells. The extrusion process used to produce XPS foam insulation leaves no such tiny gaps.

Is XPS foam environmentally friendly?

XPS insulation is 100% recyclable and contributes enormously to reducing energy use. It lasts decades once installed in a cold storage facility and significantly lowers the carbon footprint of the building over its lifespan.

The post Extruded Polystyrene Insulation for Cold Storage Applications appeared first on PLASTEK.