Kirei Wall

Filed under: Materials, Research, Scenario 2: Cabin 2 Proposal, kirei, Materials

Thermal Break – Thermablock Aerogel Insulation

Aerogel Thermablok

The revolutionary ThermaBlok® insulation technology, used in the Space Shuttle, has the highest insulation value of any material known. Thermablok is now available for use in building construction and energy efficiency retrofits. Most heat transmission through walls is directly through studs to the drywall, known as “thermal bridging”. Thermablok breaks this thermal bridging link.

Thermablok manufactures aerogel in 1-1/2″ wide strips rather than broad sheets. In stud wall construction, the cavity between the studs is filled with insulation, but the studs themselves can conduct heat and cold, a process known as “thermal bridging,” which reduces the thermal performance of the wall. By covering the studs with strips of aerogel insulation before the interior drywall or exterior sheathing is applied, the thermal bridging is broken, and the thermal performance of the wall can increase by 30% or more. This can be an efficient use of aerogel material in a cost-effective way.

Thermablok strips can be installed on the exterior of the studs during new construction, or can be applied on the interior during remodeling as well as new construction. This makes it suitable for energy efficiency retrofits. As with Spaceloft blankets, because Thermablok is so thin (about 1/4″ once installed), it can be used to improve performance without taking away great amounts of space from inside the building.
Suggested retail price for Thermablok tape is $1.99/ft.

Advantages
Very significant saving in energy costs, Stimulus Package tax credits up to 30% available for residential retrofits
100% recyclable, Contains no ozone depleting substances, Uses >30% recycled content, Composite material consisting of over 95% air, Hydrophobic, unaffected by moisture, mold or water, Easily applied via stick-on-back, “Class A” fire rated, Economical, Virtually no weight means low cost (+ low emissions) shipping, Adds acoustical isolation, Is not affected by age as it does not react with moisture of the atmosphere, and Made in USA

Availability
Thermablok Thermal and Acoustic Isolation Systems
6900 Interbay Blvd. Tampa Fl 33616
Phone +1-813-980-1400 Fax +1-813-549-2653
http://thermablok.com/index.html

Filed under: Materials, Research, Skins, aerogel, insulation

Spaceloft Aerogel Insulalation

Ultra-Thin Super Insulation with Aerogel

Aerogel insulation seems like a material out of science-fiction. It is the lightest solid known, although by volume it is 99% air. It is breathable, but it doesn’t absorb water. It is incredibly strong for its weight. But most importantly, it is a fantastic insulator.

Spaceloft is an aerogel blanket that is can be 1/4″ thick and provides more effective insulation than fiberglass or rigid board per inch, nearly double. It is manufactured by Aspen Aerogel and comes in a 57-inch wide roll of aerogel material available in 0.20 in. and 0.40 in. thickness. Spaceloft is a useful product for insulating existing walls in retrofit situations where it is important to minimize the amount of floor area lost to building up wall insulation. An old brick building can be a beautiful thing, but brick makes a poor insulator. Instead of building a new insulated wall against the existing wall that would be 4″ thick (or more), a Spaceloft blanket covered by drywall can achieve similar energy-efficiency in a wall covering that is less than an inch thick.

According to Martin LaMonica of CNET, Spaceloft blankets have been used by the Rhode Island Housing Authority to retrofit a 50-unit housing complex that was built with no insulation in the 1940s.

The advantage of this product is reduced profile, it is easy to cut and install, and is more effective than most products on the market.

Content
Air, silica aerogel with reinforcing fibers

Sustainability
R- Value of 10.3 per inch, highly effective material

Availability
ASPEN AEROGELS, INC.
30 Forbes Road, Building B
Northborough, MA 01532
USA
Tel: 1.508.691.1111
Fax: 1.508.691.1200

Filed under: Materials, Research, Skins, aerogel, insulation, nanogel

Icynene Insulation

Superior air-sealing capabilities. Icynene® locks out dust, allergens and pollutants from entering the building creating a healthier indoor environment. Creating a superior air-seal in just one step, Icynene® also minimizes the use of excess sealing materials which would otherwise be required when using conventional insulation such as fiberglass. Icynene is healthier, quieter, and more sustainable then traditional spray foams.

Applied as a liquid, Icynene® expands to 100 times its volume in seconds to fill every crack and crevice while remaining flexible so that the integrity of the building envelope seal remains intact over time. Icynene’s spray formula has an R-value of 3.7 per inch. It acts as a complete insulation and air barrier to minimize air leakage and seal the building envelope for optimal airtightness

Sustainability
Renewable Content – New ICYNENE LD-R-50™ uses castor oil to reduce reliance on petroleum-based polyol, offering a high-performance, eco-conscious option. For every kilogram (2.2 lbs) of castor oil produced in place of petroleum-based polyol, there is a reduction of nearly 3.5 kilograms (7.7 lbs) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere.

100% water blown. It does not contain synthetic blowing agents such as HFCs that are often used in other spray foam products and are considered to have very high Global Warming Potential (GWP) gases.

No PBDEs. This is considered a harmful flame retardant that can compromise the health of building occupants. Icynene® is a Class 1 fire rated product without the use of PBDEs.

Up to 50% energy savings. Icynene® air-seals and can help reduce energy use and costs by as much as 50%. In turn, it helps reduce the production of greenhouse gases like Carbon Dioxide by thousands of tones a year.1

Real R-value. Icynene® maintains its performance (doesn’t sag or settle) with no loss of R-value over time. It provides total thermal comfort today and for years to come, while conventional insulation can deteriorate as time passes and may no longer perform as it did when initially installed. Icynene is highly durable and will last the life of the building.

Availability
6747 Campobello Road
Mississauga ON
L5N 2L7 Canada
1-800-758-7325

Filed under: Materials, Research, Icynene, insulation

BioBase Insulation

BioBase Insulation is a healthier, more durable, energy efficient and environmentally responsible insulation. Polyurethane spray foam has been around for more than 30 years.

Because BioBased Insulation expands to fill cavities and voids, it provides a sealed thermal envelope that does not sag or settle over time. This improves indoor air quality by blocking harmful outside irritants such as mold, pollen and other allergens. It won’t break down over time and release fiberous particulates in your home, which can be are attributed to many traditional insulation products.

Because BioBased Insulation® creates a continuous, sealed thermal envelope around your home or structure, in many cases, you also can save additional money by reducing the required size of the HVAC (heating and air conditioning) unit. BioBased Insulation adheres well to almost any material, especially wood and steel studs, which are commonly found in residential and commercial construction.

Water-blown spray foam. This foam, that can harden either into a spongy (open cell) or denser solid (closed cell) material, offers more eco-friendly and sustainable insulation, air barrier and sound attenuation qualities than standard foam, but are comparable in price.

Content
polyurethane, water, soy

Sustainability
There is no formaldehyde added during the manufacturing process
SPF does not release toxic gases or leach harmful chemicals into the soil.
is an inert substance and provides no food value for rodents and insects

Types
1” = R – 3.8
5.5″ = R – 20

Availability
BioBased Insulation
1475 W. Cato Springs Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72701
800.803.5189 | biobased.net

Filed under: Materials, Research, Biobase, insulation

Cellulose Insulation

 

Description:

Cellulose insulation is a blend of recycled specially prepared cellulose fibres, organic in nature and treated to make it fire retardant. Tests have shown that when packed together, this natural cellulose insulation material is acoustically and thermally more effective than man-made mineral wool.

Application:

Party walls, between floors, around plumbing silencing water noise

Environmental Impact:

The fibre is organic cellulose derived entirely from recycled macerated paper and treated with a borax compound to protect against fungus, insects and rodents. It also has fire protection built in. Celbar cellulose insulation has excellent thermal resistance and provides a high degree of thermal insulation.  Recycled material and a low manufacturing energy requirement combine to produce probably the most environmentally friendly material used in building construction, low CO2. Naturally safe recycled cellulose fibre.  Reconstruction of a building may necessitate removal of Celbar cellulose insulation fibre. It can be recycled or disposed of as a non-special waste to landfill.

Filed under: Materials

3M Scotch 4905 VHB Tape (20 mil / transparent): 1/2 in. x 72 yds. (Clear)

Description: 3M VHB Tape provides the convenience and simplicity of a tape fastener and are ideal for use in many interior and exterior bonding applications. In many situations, they can replace rivets, spot welds, liquid adhesives and other permanent fasteners. These VHB tapes are made with acrylic foam which is viscoelastic in nature. This gives the foam energy absorbing and stress relaxing properties which provides these tapes with their unique characteristics. The acrylic chemistry provides outstanding durability performance. The tapes have excellent durability and excellent solvent and moisture resistance. 3M 4905 VHB Tape is excellent for applications where an aggressive double-sided clear or colorless tape is desired. The general purpose adhesive on both sides is suitable for high surface energy substrates including metal, glass and high surface energy plastics. Application ideas include sealing between inner and outer dome of skylights, attaching handles to sliding glass doors, mounting back lit translucent signs and edge bonding resin filled glass.

Prices: ranges from 78.95 to 1099.99

Availability: The tape can be found from 3M manufacturers as well as multiple suppliers throughout the United States.

Filed under: Materials, adhesive, tape

EPE(Expanded Polyethylene) Foam

Description

EPE Foam is commonly used for packaging. It is relatively transparent, provides similar effects like polycarbonate panels. It comes in rolls.

Size- 1/32″ to 1/4″ thick

Performance

Density- 20-60 kg

Tensile Strength- 2.5-6 kg

Elongation- 40-100%

Tear Strength- .7 kg

Compression Strength-  .05-.2  kg

Compression Set- 5/.10%

Working Temperature- (-40 to +75) C

Water Absorption- .2 to .5

Surface Resistively-  10 Omhs

Bouyance- 920 to 940 kg

Thermal Conductivity- .023 to .025 K.Cal

Fire Retardancy- Self-Extinguishing

Chemical/Oil Resistance- Excellent

Filed under: Materials, plastic

Vermiculite Expansion

Description:

Vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands with the application of heat. The expansion process is called exfoliation and it is routinely accomplished in purpose-designed commercial furnaces. Vermiculite is formed by hydration of certain basaltic minerals.

Application:

Vermiculite expansion purposes : insulation materials, fireproofing material, seeding, flowers and trees, friction materials, sealing materials, electric insulation materials, paint, sheets, paints, rubber, refractories, hard water Softener, and refining, construction, shipbuilding, chemical and other industries.

Content:

Expanded Vermiculite is layered structure, crystalline layers containing water rate in the 5 -25 times the thermal conductivity of small, -200kg/m3 density at 50, is a good insulating material. The good quality of the expanded vermiculite, the maximum temperature of up to 1,100 ℃. In addition, the expansion of vermiculite has good electric insulation.

Suistainability:

Natural Material

Availability:

Large commercial vermiculite mines currently exist in South Africa, China, and Brazil

Filed under: Materials, Energy Efficient, insulation, natural, Wall System

Sandbags (econstruction)

Description:

The sandbags in combination with a light Ecobeam structure can be seen as a modified timber frame house. But once the roof is in place and the building is plastered, the whole structure performs monolithic and appears exactly like a common brick house.

The system is not dependent on any kind of industrial grid measurements. That means that any specific measurements that are required for wall thickness, size and height of the building or for wall openings, can easily be achieved. This is just one of many more advantages, that makes this new building technology perfectly suitable for building projects around the world.Using sandbags to pile up a kind of wall is nothing new.

For decades or even centuries people are aware of the good qualities of sandbags for flood protection, for sound insulation or in providing shelter against bullets.But the idea of using sandbags as a construction material for ordinary housing is pretty young. It was developed as a complete building system during the last twenty years in Cape Town, when Michael Tremeer and his Company Ecobeam Technologies searched for a cheap way to assist South Africa in its endeavor to house millions of homeless residents. The result was the simple idea of building the walls of houses out of sandbags.

Filed under: Materials, Skins, Energy Efficient, exterior, insulation, recyclable