Mass Transport of Cell Gases in Carbon Dioxide Blown PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Foam Insulation

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam is a possible replacement option for polyurethane (PUR) foam as insulation material in district heating pipes. In this study, the diffusion coefficients and activation energies of cell gases in carbon dioxide blown PET foam (densities 148–157 kg·m−3) were determined at temperatures between 23 °C and 90 °C. The foam thermal ageing due to the mass transport of air into and carbon dioxide out of the foam was about ten times slower in PET foam than in PUR foam. The thermal conductivities of the PET foam boards were determined in a heat flow meter apparatus. The contribution to the foam thermal conductivity due to conduction in the solid polymer and radiation within the cell voids was determined to 17 mW·m−1·K−1 at 20 °C. This is higher than the value estimated for PUR foam in district heating pipes, 12 mW·m−1·K−1. This contribution can probably be reduced by developing low density PET foam and reducing the cell size.