Физико-химические и термические превращения газонаполненной полимерной теплоизоляции естественного старения

Abstract

Introduction. In the process of operation, various materials are subjected to prolonged exposure to environmental factors, which can lead to irreversible physical and chemical changes that affect not only their service life, but also fire safety. In this regard, the study of the influence of natural ageing on the features of the combustion process, fire hazard characteristics of thermal insulation materials is relevant. Aims and objectives. The aim of the work is to evaluate the physicochemical and thermal transformations of polymer gas-filled thermal insulation (expanded polystyrene foam) of long-term natural ageing. Methods. A set of physicochemical methods, namely X-ray phase analysis, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis methods (TG, DTG, DSC) were used to study the physicochemical nature and thermal stability of naturally aged polystyrene foam. Results and discussion. In the work the technical condition of polymer thermal insulation was assessed on the objects: cinema "Udarnik" (Russia, Moscow), 1927-1930 year of construction and a residential building (Tajikistan, Vahdat), 2014 year of construction. The method of X-ray phase analysis for polystyrene foam of natural ageing revealed a decrease in crystallinity. The change in the phase state of polymer thermal insulation indicates the thermal fluctuation nature of the processes associated with its natural aging and leading to a change in the ordering of the arrangement of individual macromolecular sites of aromatic hydrocarbon. At the same time, under the conditions of natural ageing there is a decrease in the apparent density of polystyrene foam by 20-41 %. By method of infrared spectroscopy the greatest changes are established in areas of characteristic absorption bands 3057...2846 cm-1, and also 1500...1450 cm-1, that testifies to destabilisation of hydrocarbon chains of macromolecules of polystyrene foam of natural ageing. The character of thermo-destructive transformations is established for the investigated samples, the tendency of expansion of the main section (335...470 °С) in comparison with the samples without natural ageing (360...450 °С) is revealed. The identified features of physicochemical and thermal transformations of naturally aged polystyrene foam can lead to changes in the intensity of the combustion process and heat release. Conclusion. According to the results of the study it is established that in the process of natural ageing in gas-filled polymers irreversible physical and chemical changes occur under the influence of environmental factors. Deterioration of the technical condition of polymer thermal insulation during its operation can lead to changes in the characteristics of fire hazard, features of its combustion and heat release when exposed to fire. Keywords: thermal insulation; polymers; polystyrene foam; fire hazard; service life; natural ageing.