Most people think of insulation as materials that are used to block the transfer of heat and cold through a surface. However, most insulations depend on empty spaces, or open cell configurations, to be the most effective. This is true with fibrous and granular insulation. In this week’s article, we are going to explore how these insulations work and what applications they are commonly used for.
Fibrous Insulation
As the name suggests, these types of insulations contain small fibres with tiny spaces in between. Air that attempts to pass through the material will be caught in the fibres, preventing heat transfer through convection. The same function that traps air also blocks sound, giving fibrous insulation excellent soundproofing qualities. The fibres can be inorganic or organic, and almost always are held together by some type of binder. Examples of this are fibreglass, mineral wool, and plastic fibre.
Granular Insulation
These insulations achieve a similar goal by different means. Instead of fibres, granular materials are composed of small nodules that contain hollow spaces. In many cases, granular insulations are poured or loose, however, they can be combined with a binder to take on a rigid form. Calcium silicate, vermiculite, perlite, and expanded polystyrene are all examples of this.
Insulation Uses
Fibrous and granular are only types of insulation, applications are most often determined by the form of the insulation. This could be boards, sheets, blankets, foam, loose, etc. That being said, fibrous insulations like fibreglass are often used as industrial pipe and tank insulation wraps and insulation blankets. Granular insulations like calcium silicate insulate high-temperature pipes and applications where fire endurance is necessary.
Insulation materials come in many different shapes and forms. That’s why it is so important to ensure that your facility is outfitted with the proper material for the job. At Westcal Insulation, we can help you determine your best insulation strategy. Contact us today to get started.
