Requirements for compressive strength of thermal insulation materials for cold storage plates

Effective insulation is an important aspect of any cold storage facility, especially in the flooring. It helps to maintain the correct internal temperature and reduce energy usage. In cold storage, the usual flow of heat and water is reversed, flowing from inside to outside. Unlike traditional building structures, heat diffuses through the floor and outer shell, from the moist soil and external environment to the colder and drier interior of the cold storage area.

In addition to important factors such as thermal efficiency and moisture resistance, cold storage insulation boards also need to have sufficient compressive strength. They must be able to withstand the load of other flooring materials, as well as the dynamic and static weight of goods and human activities stored in the cold storage facility.

The compressive performance evaluation of cold storage boards measures the compression behavior of materials such as insulation materials and assesses their ability to resist the above loads. The testing method for insulation materials involves placing the sample between two plates of a testing instrument and applying different levels of force. Depending on different testing methods and standards, the compressive performance of insulation materials may also differ.

In one case, it could refer to a relative deformation of the insulation material compared to the original sample thickness before compressing it by 10%. This is described as failure before the insulation material is compressed by 10%.

The importance of the compressive strength of cold storage boards is that insulation materials will never be used in situations where they may be compressed by 10%. The consequences of such a large-scale movement are something that no cold storage board material can withstand. Evaluating the compressive performance of the floor and specifying the correct insulation material is crucial for the safe and normal operation of the cold storage structure.

Insulated concrete boards are a common requirement for cold storage facilities. Therefore, the insulation material of cold storage boards must be able to withstand heavy loads. This includes the structural load of the floor itself, as well as the dynamic load of goods stored, pedestrians, and heavy vehicles traveling on the floor.

Creep compression is another important factor in specifying the insulation of cold storage boards. Long-term loading results in gradual compression, affecting different materials in different ways. Therefore, long-term effects of loads require different measurement methods - creep compression. The static weight of stored goods is more likely to be the cause of creep compression.

However, many insulation material manufacturers do not test creep compression because it requires a testing period of 122 to 608 days, depending on whether it is simulating 10, 25, or 50 years. Some manufacturers claim that creep compression is "the compression strength at 2% compression" or similar, as the total compression usually remains around 2%.

The compressive strength of cold storage boards provides the widest range of compressive strength and is one of the few manufacturers to invest time in testing and declaring insulation products with creep compression. The uniformly distributed closed cells in the cold storage board give it excellent compressive strength characteristics. This makes it a reliable and durable solution for cold storage boards that must withstand heavy loads.

The compressive strength characteristics of cold storage plates can also be measured and evaluated by the following aspects:

Material strength test: the compressive strength of the cold storage plate can be evaluated by standard material strength test methods, such as compression test or bending test.

These tests apply force or pressure on the plate to determine its deformation and bearing capacity under stress.

Structural analysis: through structural analysis and calculation, the bearing capacity and stress distribution of the cold storage plate can be evaluated.

This analysis can take into account the geometric shape of the plate, material characteristics and the load applied on the plate to determine its compressive capacity under practical conditions.

                                                XPS cell structure

Failure test: the failure test can simulate the limit situation under the actual working conditions in order to evaluate the compressive strength of the cold storage plate under more than normal load.

These tests can be carried out by applying a force or pressure that exceeds the limit load of the material and observing the failure shape and bearing capacity of the plate.

Practical application verification: the compressive strength of the cold storage plate can also be evaluated by the verification in practical application.

Monitoring and recording the load of the cold storage board in the course of use, and regular inspection and evaluation, we can judge whether its compressive performance meets the design requirements.

Considering that insulation energy consumption accounts for 20-35% of the entire cold storage system, it has become the primary concern for owners. The building envelope system and insulation materials play a crucial role in determining the overall energy consumption of cold storage facilities. Feininger is committed to offering integrated, economically viable, and environmentally friendly energy-saving solutions. By employing appropriate insulation solutions that meet building performance requirements, we can achieve optimal results at the lowest cost.

Feininger XPS Cold Storage Insulation System has below main advantages

• Durable,low coefficient of thermal conductivity

• Moisture resistance, perfect anti freeze-thaw cycle performance

• ILow coefficient of temperature deformation, easy cut during construction and easy fix to base materialHigh compressive strength, less long-term creep, suitable for high load ground floor or deck floor

• Low water vapor permeability, good durability

• No toxic substances or smell pollution to food

• Meet the requirements of national building fire protection design