Analysis of the effect of production process parameters and density of expanded polystyrene insulation boards on mechanical properties and thermal conductivity

Until recently, the density was seen as the only factor affecting the product properties of the expanded polystyrene foam insulation boards. However, today it is reported that product properties are also affected by the production process parameters. In this study, the degree to which the density and production process parameters influenced thermal conductivity and mechanical properties (compressive stress at 10% deformation and bending (flexural) strength) were examined experimentally, and the results were evaluated. As expected, it is seen that the dominant controlling variable is the density. Although the production process parameters affect the product properties analyzed in this study, this effect does not exceed 10%. So, it is not likely to obtain extraordinary results by changing only the production process parameters. Although the specimen dimensions affected the scattering of the experimental results, it did not have any systematic effect on the product properties determined. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.