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Abstract

A correlation between the apparent thermal conductivity, measured at 75°F, and density of mineral fiber insulation has been developed for the fiber most commonly used in Blow-in-Blanket (BIB) applications. The correlation describes the data obtained for specimens prepared by six contractors to within ±5% in the den sity range 1.6 to 3.0 1b/ft³. R-value per inch increased from 3.85 ft².hr.°F/Btu.in to 4.22 ft²·hr·°F/Btu·in for densities increasing from 1.6 1b/ft³ to 3.0 lb/ft³. Thermal measurements obtained with purposely compressed test specimens were not sig nificantly different from results for uncompressed specimens at the same density. The apparent thermal conductivities for three fiberglass BIB products and one rock wool BIB product were a few percent greater than those for the corresponding loose-fill insulation. The thermal data were obtained using heat flux meters located at Ten nessee Technological University and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

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References

Yarbrough, D.W. and K.E. Depew. 1989. "Mechanical and Thermal Testing of BIB Insulation Installed in Wall Cavities," unpublished report, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505.

1989. Astm C 518 , " Standard Test Method for Steady-State Flux Measurements and Thermal Transmission Properties by Means of the Heat Flow Meter Apparatus" Annual Book of ASTM Standards, 4.06:150-162.

Hust, J.G. 1985. "Glass Fiberboard SRM for Thermal Resistance," NBS SP 260-98, NIST.

Hust, J.G. 1985. "Glass Fiberblanket SRM for Thermal Resistance " NBS SP 260-103, NIST

McElroy, D.L. , D.W. Yarbrough and R.S. Graves. 1987. "Thickness and Density of Loose-Fill Insulations after Installation in Residential Attics," Thermal Insulation: Materials and Systems, ASTM STP 922 , F. J. Powell and S. L. Matthews, eds., Philadelphia, PA : American Society for Testing and Materials, pp 493-505.

Yarbrough, D.W. , R.S. Graves , D.L. McElroy , A.O. Desjarlais and R.P. Tye. 1987. " The Thermal Resistance of Spray-Applied Fiber Insulations," J. of Thermal Insulation, 11:81-95.

A Thermal Resistance (R-Value) Correlation for Blow-in-Blanket Mineral Fiber Insulation

Abstract

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