Above: Urethane: An insulation material used between Fiberglass panels
In any refrigeration and air conditioning application efforts are being made to control the temperature of a given space.
The enclosed space is created by walls, roof and a floor. Between the panels for the walls, roof and floor, are insulation materials. Together with the fibreglass skin on the surface, the materials have an impact on the level of heat resistance and the values used to define thermal insulation.
In transport refrigeration the value is referred to as the K factor. In the building industry the value is commonly referred to as the R value.
Refrigerated truck bodies and insulation for refrigerated vans employ the composite material, fibreglass in conjunction with other insulation materials.
Chemistry molecules making up urethane
How Fiberglass Insulation works in an insulated truck body and refrigerated van.
Fiberglass is a composite material made of a plastic matrix reinforced by tiny glass fibres.
It is lightweight yet strong, and since glass isn’t a good conductor of heat, it’s a very effective insulation material.
Fiberglass insulation traps heat when it’s moving to a colder area by preventing heat conduction using the fibrous strands in the fibreglass.
Fibreglass may also be applied and laid as a wet liquid. When combined with other resins a catalytic reaction occurs and a tough, durable and flexible plastic material is formed.
As a strong and light material with excellent thermal properties, including the ability to apply fibreglass in liquid form, it will continue to be used in the transport refrigeration industry in the foreseeable future.