The Influence of the Relative Content of Peat and Mineral Binder on Thermal Insulation Composite Performance Characteristics

Abstract

The relationship between the performance characteristics (e.g., thermal conductivity, specific density, and compressive strength) of a peat heat-insulating composite and its chemical composition has been established. It has also been experimentally proven that high-lying peat and limestone from the Vologda Oblast deposits correspond in chemical composition and structural features to the requirements for producing heat-insulating materials (HIMs). Composite samples with different chemical compositions were obtained under laboratory conditions. To increase the mechanical strength and setting speed when collecting samples, a stage of peat steaming with water vapor and carbon dioxide was provided. HIM testing using modern analytical methods has proven a relationship exists between the content of high-lying peat, quicklime in samples, and their performance characteristics. The optimal chemical composition for obtaining composites was selected. High-lying peat with a moisture content of 30.0% after steaming and quicklime content of 29.0% ensured the production of a composite with the following indicators: thermal conductivity of 0.041 W/m?°C; average density of 259 kg/m3; compressive strength of 3.02 MPa; and toxicity index of less than 0.5. The established dependence enables simulation of the technological process and obtains materials with the desired properties.

Keywords

• heat insulating
• him
• thermal conductivity