COMPARISION DATA SHEET BETWEEN POLYOLEFIN FOAM   INSULATION

AND

FIBER GLASS   INSULATION

 PROFLEX would like to draw the attention of Consultant and Contractors to the way they can differentiate between the efficiency of polyolefin (PE) foam and that of fiber glass (FG)

This study is based on real figures and scientific facts

FLAMMABILITY ↑

Fiberglass heat insulation is made of mineral fibers with an addition of a paper and aluminum layer that is laminated on it. In case of fire, this paper and aluminum layer will burn very fast (similar to all paper material) while the mineral will turn to ashes (can be tested with a cigarette lighter).

PE heat insulation contains PE-68 fire block, which prevent the material to make flame in case of fire and instead let it melt into liquid.

CONTINUOS WORKING TEMPERATURE ↑

PE heat insulation material’s working temperature ranges between -80°C up to +120°C

And this range is more than enough for it to be considered as a thermal insulation (knowing that the Gulf region doesn’t required better than this range) and here we can say that for industrial oven insulation only, Fiber glass insulation might be better then PE insulation NIA ( National insulation organization)

WATER ABSORBTION ↑

As it is known, and after a period of time, some industrial and agricultural steel buildings leak in winter. This thing is very dangerous if the building is insulated with FG insulation. Since it is absorb all the leaked water and drops it inside the plant along with some mineral fibers which spread on the ground and than in the air when water dries.

PE insulation material is a closed cell material that doesn’t absorb water and when the building leaks, water will slide on the sheet to drop outside the building.

INTERNATIONAL EVALUATION OF FIBER GLASS INSULATION ↑

1) OSHA announced that fiberglass is officially as possibly carcinogenic (Cancerous).

2) GREEN LIVING ECHO-HOME listed its dangers and concentrated on showing the alternatives.

3) NATIONAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC)

Recently compared insulation types and said: fiberglass has most health risks.

4) AMERICAN GOVERNMENT announced that fiberglass is officially designated as possibly     carcinogenic (Cancerous) and carries government –mandated warning labels.

In addition to what is mentioned, there are many organization dealing with this topic so all what you have to do is surf through the internet and you will be amazed with the results.

 

COMPARISION OF PROFLEX POLYOLEFIN FOAM AND  FIBER GLASS MATERIAL

 

PROPERTY	PE FOAM	FIBER GLASS
Material Structure	Will not deteriorate when handled PE Foam is a plastic homogenous material having no, loose particles throughout the lifetime of the material of the product, and will not cause any health hazard to installer or occupants if the building, finer material of the product, that might be hazardous to health.	Small, loose fiber are released into atmosphere when handled, and over the life time of the material
Raw Material	Closed cell PE Foam is closed cell cross linked by nature, and therefore water vapor can not pass through the material, through	Open Cell Fiberglass Is made from molten glass jetted through tiny heated holes in a high-speed stream. The resulting fibers are drawn very thin and to big length. The fiber is then collected into a matte. The main raw material of fiberglass are made from sand ( SiO² ) limestone  (CaCo³ ) And sodium carbonate( Na²CO³ ) the fibers are hold together using phenol formaldehyde ( PF) binder which has the following harmful properties for the human body: cause burns is very toxic by inhalation, ingestion and through skin absorption is carcinogen and mutagen, lachrymator at levels from less than 20ppm,may cause damage to kidney, allergic reactions, and genetic damage.
Density	32to 50 Kg.m3	16 to 64kg/m3 Different densities available depending on manufacturer its difficult to maintain a constant density during the production process, which leads to different densities in the same fiberglass product-different thermal conductivity in the same item
Thermal Conductivity  K value	Very low and constant  value 0.034 w/mk at 35C° mean temperature PE is closed-cell cross-linked material it will not absorb moisture or vapor this mean the thermal conductivity remains constant throughout the life time of foam	Fiberglass open cell  insulation thermal conductivity will not remain constant as it will increased over a period of time due to the absorption of moisture into structure of material
Vapor Barrier	Vapor diffusion into the insulation material is one of the major causes of condensation, The technology is to laminate foam with aluminum foil as a vapor barrier itself and it is effective dew formation caused by drastic changes in temperature.	The fiberglass material show very low resistance to the transmission of water vapor, mainly because of the open air pocket structure. It is highly recommended to protect the fiberglass insulation surface with protection coatings such as foster paint and canvas cloth.
Water vapor Permeability	Water vapor permeability ( Factor ) Permeation ratio tested ASTM E96 ( 0.00% g/h.m² ) PE Foam with more then 90% Closed0cell and independent air bubble structure it prevent dew forming	As it is known, and after a period of time. Some industrial and agriculture steel buildings leak in winter, these things is very dangerous if the building is insulated with Fiberglass insulation. Since it is absorb all leaked water and drops it inside the plant along with some mineral fibers which spread on the ground and then in air when water dries. Fiberglass open cell nature of fiber material, causes moisture absorption and hence heat flow is increased through insulation material, in addition to deterioration of their physical properties.

Flammability

PE Foam insulation contains various flame blocking and smoking reducing elements and therefore smoke density is very low when fire occurs, it doesn’t melt when it catches fire, not to cause spark it has self-fir extinguishing material and cant be root cause of combustion

Fiberglass insulation is made of mineral fiber with an addition of paper and aluminum layer that is laminated on it, in case of fire, this paper and aluminum layer will burn very fast ( similar to all paper material ) While the mineral will turn to ashes ( can be ( ( tested with cigarette lighter )

Cell Structure

Closed-cell Cross-linked a method of making the cell structure stronger-preventing the trapped gas bubbles from bursting,this means that the PE Foam has superior strength

Open Cell

Installation

Installation is one step process the exceptional flexibility of PE foam is great help to the installer, duct insulation material can be easily applied to the metal ducts through a process of pre-adhesion PE FOAM doesn’t emit dust or fiber particles so protective clothing not required during installation

Installation is a four step process

 

 

INTERNATIONAL EVALUATION OF FIBERGLASS INSULATION 

1 OSHO announced that fiberglass is officially as possibly carcinogenic (cancerous)

2 GREEN LIVING ECHO-HOME listed its dangers and concentrated on showing the alternatives

3 NATIONAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL (NRDC) Recently compared insulation types and said fiberglass has most risks.

4 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT announced that fiberglass is officially designated as possibly carcinogenic

(Cancerous) and carries government –mandated warning labels

In addition to what is mentioned, there are many organization dealing with this topic so all what you have to do is surf through the internet and you will be amazed with the result