Foam Polymers in Multifunctional Insulating Coatings

The application of foamed polymers as one of the components of insulating coatings allows to solve the problems of energy saving and creation of optimal operating conditions for constructions. The systems of application of energy-efficient heat-insulating materials must consider both the particularities of the insulating materials and the functional orientation of the constructions. The implementation of the concept of seamless insulating coatings implies the achievement of thermal effect and reduction in air permeability both by means of the application of thermal insulation with low thermal conductivity and the minimization of junctions between separate elements of the insulating coating, which is achieved using elastic foamed polymers and, first of all, polyethylene foam. Construction of seamless insulating coatings creates practically impermeable heat, vapor, and water barriers along the outer perimeter of the insulated object. Multilayer products based on polyethylene foam represent a relatively new material—a fact that requires examination of their properties, as well as under various operating conditions, and development of a methodology for evaluation of the operational resistance of these materials in structures of different purposes, including cold conservation. The performed tests have shown that the compressive strength at 10% deformation is determined by the function of load application area and varies from 70 kPa during the test of cube samples of 10 × 10 × 10 in size to 260 kPa for areas exceeding 100 m2. The longitudinal tensile strength amounts to 80–92 kPa, and the strength of the weld seam is equal to 29–32 kPa. It has been established that the values of thermal conductivity of polyethylene foam with an average density of 18–20 kg/m3 amounts to 0.032–0.034 W/(m·K), diffusion moisture absorption is equal to 0.44 kg/m2 without a metallized coating and 0.37 kg/m2 with a metallized coating; water absorption after partial immersion in water for 24 h amounts to 0.013 kg/m2; water absorption by volume after complete water immersion for 28 days is equal to 0.96%. The material does not practically change its properties under conditions of long-term temperature alteration from −60 to +70 °C. The developed and implemented insulation systems for protective surfaces of framed construction objects, rubbhalls and frameless structures, floating floors, indoor ice rinks, and snow conservation systems are presented.

Insulation Systems of Frameless Buildings

The article analyzes different ways of creating an insulating coating within the scope of frameless buildings. Among such constructions, the production halls, raw material and finished-products storages, agricultural storages, livestock housing, garages, covered parking, sports and cultural facilities are to be distinguished. Criteria that the heat-insulating materials should meet in the context of effective and durable insulation coatings are low thermal conductivity, vapor and water permeability, high operational durability and environmental friendliness as well. It is confirmed that products based on polyethylene foam, such as mats and rolls, fully meet the above-mentioned criteria. Furthermore, the possibility of obtaining a seamless joint during the installation process significantly increases the effectiveness of the insulating coating by means of minimizing cold bridges and eliminating leakages when connecting separate insulating elements. Polyethylene foam is an elastic and well stretching material. When fixing polyethylene foam rolls on the metal covering of the frameless construction, they will change their shape together with the metal due to the climatic temperature drops (stretch and constrict). The performed tests have revealed that the longitudinal tensile strength of the products with a metallized coating is 80–92 kPa, without a metallized coating - 80–87 kPa, and 29–32 kPa of the weld seam. The article includes information regarding the results of thermal imaging monitoring of frameless constructions with an insulating coating based on polyethylene foam. It is shown that hot-air welding (with the help of a hot air gun) allows minimizing heat losses both at the joints of the sheets and in the areas adjoining to the base and to the side walls of the buildings.

Experimental Evaluation of Thermal Protection Properties of Volume Textile Materials

In the article research results are presented, which aim to provide evaluation of thermal protection properties of volume textile materials. However, as a result of experts wearing it has been revealed that by their operational performance their characteristicsare quite high to such materials: Holofiber, Tinsulate, Arctic, etc. At the present time to research thermal protection properties of sewing materials methods are used that can be divided into 2 groups: Methods based on the principle of steady heat mode and Methods based on the principle of unsteady (regular) mode. New device has been developed which allows to simplify both the schematic diagram and the methodological approach to experimental evaluation of thermal protection properties of volume textile materials. The corresponding experimental research were held based on the developed bicalorimeter. Study results allowed to establish heat insulation material «ArcticP» possesses the highest thermal resistance.It is located with its metallized coating facing outside. High values of thermal protection properties of this material are explained by availability of metallized coating from outer side which ensures partial heat reflection.. The research was made in Don State Technical University within the framework of State Assignment of the Ministry of education and science of Russia under the project 11.9194.2017/БЧ.

Structural-Phase State of the Interphase Boundary at Thermal Diffusion Metallization of Diamond Grains by Cr and Ti

Structural-phase state of the diamond-metallized coating interphase boundary after thermal diffusion metallization of diamond grains by transition metals Cr, Ti were studied. Metallization were conducted under temperature-time mode corresponding to the sintering of cemented carbide matrices with Cu impregnation. The structural-phase state of the metallized coating and diamond-coating interphase boundary was studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray phase analysis and Raman spectroscopy. It was found that a thin continuous metal carbide coating chemically bonded to the diamond and consisting of the corresponding metal, their carbides and small amount of graphite phases is formed during thermal diffusion metallization of diamond by Cr and Ti under the conditions specified in the experiment. It was shown that graphite is formed not by a continuous layer, but in the form of local inclusions. This ensures a strong adhesion of the metallized coating to the diamond through the carbides of the corresponding metals. The results can be useful in the development of compositions and technological methods that provide an increased level of diamond retention in the matrices of tools based on cemented carbide powder mixtures.

Structural-Phase State of the Interphase Boundary at Thermal Diffusion Metallization of Diamond Grains by Fe, Ni and Co

Structural-phase state of the diamond-metallized coating interphase boundary after thermal diffusion metallization of diamond grains by transition metals Fe, Ni and Co were studied. Metallization were conducted under temperature-time mode corresponding to the sintering of cemented carbide matrices with Cu impregnation. The structural-phase state of the metallized coating and diamond-coating interphase boundary was studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray phase analysis and Raman spectroscopy. A metallized coating strongly adhered to the diamond forms during thermal diffusion metallization of diamond by iron. The metallized coating has a complex structural phase composition of iron, a solid solution of carbon in iron and graphite phases. Nickel and cobalt cause intense catalytic graphitization of diamond with the formation of numerous traces of erosion on its surface under the heating conditions specified in the experiment. The observed weak adhesive interaction of these metals with diamond is probably due to the high melting temperatures of the Ni-C and Co-C eutectics, which does not allow the metals to react with diamond under given experimental conditions.

Insulation Systems of Frame Cottages

The article presents studies of the exploitation characteristics of the material, the results of a full-scale survey of a residential private house insulated with expanded polyethylene, as well as the main design solutions for the insulation of a frame cottage. The features of insulation systems of low-rise buildings, including those with a frame-bearing carrier system, are considered. It has been substantiated that the use as thermal insulation of mineral-wool plates used on non-loaded structures assumes the mandatory placement of vapor barrier (usually plastic film) from the inside of the insulated surface and the windproof membrane outside. The use of a rolled foamed polyethylene as an insulating material makes it possible to realize an insulating sheath without additional layers. Experimental determinations of diffusion moisture absorption, water absorption upon partial immersion in water, water absorption upon full immersion in water, tensile strength in the longitudinal direction, and adhesion strength of the adhesive layer to metal were performed. It was established that the diffusion moisture absorption of samples of expanded polyethylene is 0.51-0.75%, and taking into account the weld it is 0.70-0.75%. Water absorption of samples when fully immersed in water does not exceed 0.96% by volume. The tensile strength in the longitudinal direction for products with a metallized coating is 80-92 kPa, without a metallized coating - 80-87 kPa, and for a weld - 29-32 kPa. A field survey showed that the humidity of the pine timber is within the normative. The expediency of warming only the outer coating of expanded polyethylene of the calculated thickness without filling the frame is justified, which, with standard air exchange and observance of the conditioning conditions, will be sufficient to maintain the microclimate in the room.

Features of the Structural-Phase State of the Diamond-Matrix Boundary Zone in Diamond-Containing Composite Materials

Preliminary metallization of the diamond component, which promotes the formation of chemical bonds on the diamond-matrix contact during subsequent sintering, is used to increase the strength of diamond retention and the durability of diamond-containing metal matrix composites. There are restrictions on carrying out metallization to create diamond composites with a cemented carbide matrix, since reheating the metallized coating at high sintering temperatures of carbide powders leads to its destruction, diamond graphitization and deterioration of the material properties. The structural-phase state in the diamond-matrix contact zone has been studied and the main factors providing the strength of diamond retention in diamond-cemented carbide composites obtained by hybrid technology that excludes the reheating of the metallized coating have been revealed. It was revealed, that the developed hybrid technology combining the thermal diffusion metallization of diamond and sintering according to the self-dosed impregnation scheme in one cycle ensures the production and preservation of the metallized coating by the methods of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray phase analysis, Raman spectroscopy. Comparative tests have been carried out and it is shown that the specific productivity of experimental samples of a diamond tool (ruling pencils) with a metallized diamond component is on 39% higher than same parameter of pencils without metallization.

Efficiency of Hybrid Sintering Technology for Cemented Carbide Diamond-Containing Composites with Impregnation, Including Thermal Diffusion Metallization of Diamonds

For the enhancement of chemical and mechanical adhesion of natural diamond particles with a hard-alloy matrix during the synthesis of diamond-abrasive composites the hybrid technology which combined in one technological process the thermal diffusion metallization of diamond particles and sintering by the developed scheme of the self-dosed impregnation is proposed. This technology does not include a reheating of the metallized coating that causes its destruction and enhances graphitization of diamond thus limiting the application of metallization method for improvement of diamond retention and creation of high-functional composites for diamond tools. Formation and preservation of adhesion-durable metallized coating is confirmed by experiments simulating the conditions of high temperature interaction of diamond with a carbide-forming metal and a hard-alloy matrix during the sintering of special samples using the regimes of developed technological process. The structural and phase state of the transition zone is studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray structure analysis and X-ray phase analysis of the partition surfaces of the contact zone between the diamond and the matrix obtained by tensile testing of special samples. Comparative service properties tests of prototype and control samples of diamond dressers confirmed efficiency of the developed hybrid technology for the creation of diamond tools.