Insulating Materials Thermal Properties

Related Resources: heat transfer

Insulating Materials Thermal Properties

Heat Transfer Engineering
Thermodynamics
Engineering Physics

Thermal Properties of insulating materials (at a mean temperature of 24°C)

Material	Thermal Thickness, L mm				Density, ρ kg/m³	Conductivity, k W/m·K	Specific Heat, cp kJ/kg·K	R-value (for listed thickness, L/k), K·m²/W
Blanket and Batt
Mineral fiber (fibrous form processed from rock, slag,or glass)		50 to 70 mm			4.8–32	—	0.71–0.96	1.23
		75 to 90 mm			4.8–32	—	0.71–0.96	1.94
		135 to 165 mm			4.8–32	—	0.71–0.96	3.32
Board and Slab
Cellular glass					136	0.055	1.0	—
Glass fiber (organic bonded)					64–144	0.036	0.96	—
Expanded polystyrene (molded beads)					16	0.040	1.2	—
Expanded polyurethane (R-11 expanded)					24	0.023	1.6	—
Expanded perlite (organic bonded)					16	0.052	1.26	—
Expanded rubber (rigid)					72	0.032	1.68	—
Mineral fiber with resin binder					240	0.042	0.71	—
Cork					120	0.039	1.80	—
Sprayed or Formed in Place
Polyurethane foam					24–40	0.023–0.026	—	—
Glass fiber					56–72	0.038–0.039	—	—
Urethane, two-part mixture (rigid foam)					70	0.026	1.045	—
Mineral wool granules with asbestos/
inorganic binders (sprayed)					190	0.046	—	—
Loose Fill
Mineral fiber (rock, slag, or glass)			~75 to 125 mm		9.6–32	—	0.71	1.94
			~165 to 222 mm		9.6–32	—	0.71	3.35
			~191 to 254 mm		—	—	0.71	3.87
			~185 mm		—	—	0.71	5.28
Silica aerogel					122	0.025	—	—
Vermiculite (expanded)					122	0.068	—	—
Perlite, expanded					32–66	0.039–0.045	1.09	—
Sawdust or shavings					128–240	0.065	1.38	—
Cellulosic insulation (milled paper or wood pulp)					37–51	0.039–0.046	—	—
Roof Insulation
Cellular glass				—	144	0.058	1.0	—
Preformed, for use above deck				13 mm	—	—	1.0	0.24
				25 mm	—	—	2.1	0.49
				50 mm	—	—	3.9	0.93
Reflective Insulation
Silica powder (evacuated)					160	0.0017	—	—
Aluminum foil separating fluffy glass mats; 10–12 layers
(evacuated); for cryogenic applications (150 K)					40	0.00016	—	—
Aluminum foil and glass paper laminate; 75–150
layers (evacuated); for cryogenic applications (150 K)					120	0.000017	—	—