Thermal properties of phenolic foam insulation

This paper presents experimental results concerning thermal properties of phenolic foams, with or without activated carbon. Effective thermal conductivity (k(eff)) of various samples is measured using heat flow thermal conductivity testers that comply with ASTM C518. Transmittance spectra are taken using FTIR for samples of various densities. Extinction coefficient spectra are obtained by applying Beer's law. The Rosseland mean extinction coefficients and radiative thermal conductivities are then obtained for various temperatures. Results show that k(eff) increases with temperature. Furthermore, it takes only approximately 2 hours for the sample to become saturated with moisture. The k(eff) of saturated samples is about 20 % higher than that of the dry samples. Addition of activated carbon shows no appreciable effect on k(eff). The extinction coefficient increases with sample density. Radiation accounts for approximately 15% of the total heat transfer for phenolic foams at near room temperatures.