Modified Polyethylene Foam for Critical Environments

• Published in: Polymers
• Main Authors: K. A. Ter-Zakaryan, A. D. Zhukov, I. V. Bessonov, E. Y. Bobrova, T. A. Pshunov, K. T. Dotkulov
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2022
• Subjects: modified polyethylene; polyethylene waste; foamed polymers; combustibility; operational stability; visualisation; Organic chemistry; QD241-441; Arctic; permafrost
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214688; https://doaj.org/article/387e48dc84394e3eab30508fd925abf5

One of the most important priorities for all countries with property beyond the Arctic Circle and territories located in permafrost areas is the development of special construction technologies and systems. The required conditions are met by insulation systems based on seamless insulation shells made of polyethylene foam. The study of the strength and performance properties of polyethylene foam and its combinability was carried out according to standard methods and using the methods of experimental design and the analytical processing of the results. The change in material properties at negative temperatures was determined based on the results of climatic tests, followed by an evaluation of creep under load. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the design solutions was carried out using special computer programs. It was found that the performance characteristics of products made of polyethylene foam (rolls, mats) meet the requirements for insulation materials used at temperatures down to −60 °C. The resulting material is moderately combustible, which must be taken into account when developing recommendations for its use in insulation systems. A nomogram has been developed that makes it possible to predict the properties of a material and solve formulation problems. Insulation systems were developed, and a visualisation of the thermal fields of the insulation systems of the external walls and ceilings of a building was carried out.