Affiliation:
1. Euphrosyne Polotskaya State University of Polotsk
2. Leiria Polytechnical Institute
Abstract
The results of the study of eucalyptus bark fibers as a structure-forming material confirm the possibility of using such raw materials for the production of thermal insulation. With the help of an electron microscope, the microstructure of the bark and bark fibers was studied, which allows us to explain the mechanisms that ensure the thermal insulation properties of the fibers. Depending on the technological operations at the fiber preparation stage (mechanical grinding, cooking in ash solution, carbonation) and the use of a binder, the thermal conductivity coefficient of thermal insulation varies within 0,036–0,059 W/(m×°C) at a density of 80–220 kg/m3. Samples based on eucalyptus bark fibers demonstrate sufficient low sorption humidity for materials based on vegetable raw materials. At a relative humidity of 60%, sorption is 9,4–14,5%, and at a relative humidity of 97%, it reaches 21,6–38,5%. The samples also provide high resistance to the appearance of fungus on the fibers of the eucalyptus bark in a wet state, which indicates the durability of the structure-forming material during the operation of thermal insulation.