Open-Pore Polyurethane for Vacuum Insulated Panels

Vacuum insulated panels (VIPs) are distinguished by their relatively thin thermal insulation layers, about 20 mm, and their outstandingly low thermal conductivity, which is only 33% to 10% that of the traditional heat preservation materials. The core material is an important element of VIP construction, which is mostly made of a special kind of open-pore polyurethane. The manufacturing process of the polyurethane is put forward, and the influence of the open porous ratio, pore-diameter, density, and intensity of the polyurethane on the characteristics of VIPs is discussed. With the pre-heat treatment of the core material, the thermal conductivity of VIPs can reach less than 0.01 W/(m•K), energy can be saved by more than 26.82%.