What is isolon and what is made of it?
Izolon is a modern material that is in demand in many areas. It is used both in construction and for handicrafts. Izolon is especially popular with craftsmen due to its high performance properties and universal use. It is worth taking a closer look at the features of this unique material.
What it is?
Izolon is a polyethylene foam that looks porous due to the presence of a huge number of cells.
The special structure increases the thermal insulation characteristics of the material, which makes it possible to use it to protect the surfaces of various structures in buildings and structures.
On the market, isolon is found in the form:
- sheets;
- rolls;
- blocks;
- stripes.
The main purpose of this unique material is heat and sound insulation of any products and surfaces. Isolon is also used to provide waterproofing of various structures. The peculiarity of the material is that it is perfectly combined with other types of thermal insulation.
Among other things, izolon is often used to organize an insulating coating when making a floor screed.
Let's consider several advantages of the material.
- Harmless and chemical inert. Polyethylene is resistant to most solvents and other technical or chemical fluids.
- Long service life. Achieved due to the invariable chemical structure of the material. However, it is important to provide for high-quality protection of the isolon in the overall structure.
- Resistant to the formation of fungi, mold. The material does not rot and does not become a breeding ground for various rodents or insects.
- Ease of use. Izolon can be easily cut and at the same time breaks poorly, withstanding heavy loads. Some types of heat insulators are able to return to their previous shape after deformation.
- Resistant to moisture. The material does not transmit or absorb water, has almost zero vapor permeability. This allows the use of Isolon as a waterproofing layer.
- Low toxicity. Although isolon cannot be called a completely non-combustible material, it will not be able to spread a flame during a fire. At the same time, in the process of combustion, polyethylene releases a very small amount of toxins.
- Elasticity. This indicator simplifies the work with the material, which increases its demand. Installation of an isolon does not require special skills and efforts.
- High thermal stability. The material will be equally effective in the temperature range from -60 to +90 degrees Celsius.
- Low price. Izolon is available to everyone.
Of course, there are some drawbacks. Among the disadvantages of isolon are:
- the impossibility of applying plaster mixes or wallpaper on insulated walls;
- instability to piercing or piercing influences;
- the need to protect the material.
Isolon has several times fewer minuses, which is why the material is so popular in various fields. Polyethylene is used not only in construction, but also in arts and crafts, creating all kinds of products and handicrafts from it.
How is the material made?
The versatile material is manufactured using modern equipment and proven, multi-stage technologies. Isolon production is carried out taking into account the requirements of GOST and includes the following stages.
- Mixing of components. The main components of the isolon are: polyethylene, foaming agents and other substances, with the help of which it is possible to achieve the desired structure of the polymer.
- Extrusion. The resulting mixture is heated and remelted in ovens to create the required consistency.
- Foaming. Finished Isolon sheets are foamed by adding special substances. It is this stage that is accompanied by the formation of many pores in the sheets.
The creation of foil-clad isolon requires an additional stage - lamination. At the end, a thin aluminum foil is glued to the foamed polyethylene.
Differences from foamiran
First you need to figure out what foamiran is. This is a special material, also known as plastic suede.
The material is made of soft and porous rubber, which is characterized by a good reaction to heat and easy cutting.
The similarity between the two materials, isolon and foamiran, lies in the fact that they are used to design various photo zones. The difference can be called a more extensive scope of application of foamiran.
In addition, this material has a number of qualities that differ from isolon:
- high plasticity;
- realistic colors;
- resistance to damage and wear.
The disadvantages of foamiran include a high price, but attractive compositions are obtained from this material.
Species overview
Izolon is of different types. The main classification divides the material into PPE and IPE.
PPE
This isolon is produced in the form of cross-linked polyethylene foam. A special property is the transverse structure of the material.
Specifications may vary depending on how many foaming cycles have been selected.
The pluses of isolon PPE include:
- increased strength;
- long service life;
- wide range of applications.
PPE is used both in the construction industry and in the production of missiles.
IPE
Extruded polyethylene foam with a unique structure.
The peculiarity of the material lies in the fact that it has the lowest thermal conductivity coefficient in comparison with other heaters.
Other benefits:
- providing protection against water exposure;
- high rate of sound insulation;
- resistance to chemical attack;
- safety of use.
NPE is easy to install. The material is pleasant to the touch and is lightweight.
Isolon is also classified according to the form of release. There are sheet, roll and slab building products that are used in many areas. In addition, manufacturers produce different grades of the popular material.
Color palette
Izolon is sold by meters. Transportation and storage of material is carried out in the form of:
- rolls;
- sheets;
- mats.
One of the key advantages of Isolon is the variety of color solutions.
The color palette is quite varied, it is represented by more than 20 shades of the main spectrum.
Isolon can be either white or black or colored: red, yellow, blue, light blue and even gray. If you cannot choose a color from the offered assortment, then you can paint the insulation in any shade of your choice. For example, you can get peach and burgundy material.
Manufacturers in Russia
Here are the best Izolona companies:
- the LIT plant in Pereslavl-Zalessky;
- JSC Izhevsk Plastics Plant.
The cost of thermal insulation is different, it is determined by the type and size of the finished product. So, the price of rolled insulation ranges from 100 to 500 rubles per m2. If you buy heat-insulating material in slabs, then you will have to pay for it from 315 to 1020 rubles per square.
Selection Tips
Before buying, you need to decide on the purpose of using the material. It is also worth thinking about the form in which the isolon will be used: in the form of a tape, roll or slabs.
For example, for floor insulation, an isolon is bought with a thickness of 2 to 10 mm. In order to create decorative elements and ornaments, thinner sheets of universal material are suitable.
Usually the following material options are purchased.
- Izolon "Teip". The form of release of the material is tape. It is usually used to insulate cracks or ceilings in buildings. "Tape" is an excellent sealant that will also provide insulation for window sills and loggias.
- Izolon "Block". Produced in sheets of different sizes, used for thermal insulation of premises. Also, a similar material is used to insulate small seasonal-type buildings and ceilings.
- Isolon foil. It is in demand for the arrangement of heating mains and pipelines. Feature - increased performance. This result is achieved through a reflective layer.
When choosing the right material, it is worth not only taking into account its purpose, but also studying the characteristics, looking at the manufacturer and reading reviews.
Applications
Izolon is a fairly popular material that is used in many areas.
- Thermal insulation works. Izolon is often used for thermal insulation of various areas in buildings and structures. Also, the material is used for thermal insulation of engineering networks.
- Creation of thermal reflective screens. In this case, preference is given to foil-clad isolon, one of the properties of which is low thermal conductivity. The material is installed in radiators or on walls located near large-sized heating devices.
- Waterproofing. The hydrophobic characteristics make it possible to use the heat insulator in humid rooms where it is necessary to create a reliable barrier to moisture and steam.
- Noise isolation. Any type of isolon will protect the room from airborne noise. The porous structure of the thermal insulator perfectly dampens sound waves and prevents the propagation of shock noise and vibration.
- Automotive industry. Izolon equip automotive equipment, thus providing thermal and noise insulation inside.
- Household industry. Izolon can be found in refrigerators and freezers, as well as in other types of climatic technology.
- Manufacture of clothing and footwear. Here the material is appreciated for its elasticity and variety of colors. Foamed polyethylene is also used to create equipment for tourism and recreation, sports products. Isolon is also used to make toys for children.
Finally, universal material is used in creativity. It is used to make decorative items, decorations for photo zones and crafts. If you think about it, you can remember other options for using such a popular product.
How to work?
The advantage of isolone is that it is easy to work with.
Installation of the material used as insulation does not require special knowledge and skills. All that will be needed is to complete a specific sequence of actions.
Before starting work, you need to take care of the preparation of the following materials and tools:
- isolona;
- mineral wool slabs;
- plywood and plasterboard sheets;
- glue;
- scotch tape;
- wooden bars;
- self-tapping screws;
- suspensions for the ceiling.
It is worth considering in detail the sequence of actions in the most popular types of work with isolon.
Floor insulation
Installation of insulation is carried out in two ways. Both options will be considered in detail. In the first case, we are talking about the use of two layers of thermal insulation. Mineral wool will act as the second layer. This approach improves the quality of the work carried out and additionally provides waterproofing of the floor.
The instruction looks like this.
- First, the subfloor is thoroughly cleaned, removing dust and dirt.
- Then a thin waterproofing film is spread. The strips of film should overlap each other with an overlap of 8-10 mm.
- The junction with the floor is closed using construction tape or special glue.
- Next, wooden blocks are mounted on the floor using corners and fasteners. It is recommended to take bars, the height of which will be equal to the thickness of the cotton slabs.
- Insulation - mineral wool is placed in the intervals between the bars. Isolon is mounted on top. The seams that form at the joints are glued with tape or a special compound.
- After that, rows of rails are installed, going in the perpendicular direction relative to the first row of bars. The height of the slats is no more than 5 cm, the pitch is from 40 to 60 cm. This is necessary to create a ventilation space.
At the end, plasterboard or plywood sheets are laid on the slats, using nails and self-tapping screws to fix the material.
The second method also involves the use of additional insulation, but the installation option in this case is different.
The stages of work will be as follows.
- The sub-floor is cleaned of dust and dirt.
- The insulation is laid in one layer, spreading it over the entire floor. In this case, the joints are glued with tape reinforced with metal additives. If foil-coated isolon is used for laying, then the aluminum-coated side should be at the bottom.
- Sheets of plywood or drywall are placed on the material, fixing their position with fasteners.
- At the end, a floor covering is laid on top of the isolon.
Wall insulation
Wall insulation includes the same steps as floor insulation. In this case, you can also use two methods of mounting an isolon. To prevent the sheets of material from falling during the installation process, it is better to lay them according to the "bottom-up" principle.
Ceiling hangers can be used to fix mineral wool, which will also be useful when insulating floors.
It is possible to ensure reliable fixation of isolon and other materials with the help of special glue. Before buying an adhesive mixture, you should carefully read the composition and see the manufacturer. At the end, the walls are finished: painting, tinting, sometimes molds are attached.
Crafts
As already noted, the material can be used for needlework. Insulation is used to create decorative items that decorate the interiors of any premises. Often flower arrangements are made from isolon. To create such a craft, you need to prepare:
- isolone;
- scissors;
- glue;
- Scotch.
Before proceeding with the main process of creating a decorative flower, it is recommended to look at the photos of the crafts. This will help you choose the right reference.
Let's consider the stages of creating a flower.
- First, the petals are cut using a template. Pre-workpieces are tinted, a layer of the desired paint is applied.
- Then the material is heated a little so that it can be given the desired shape.
- The third stage involves gluing the petals together. Also at this stage, a stem is created, which will need to be glued to the petals.
Izolon crafts will look beautiful in any design, if you choose the right colors and thickness of the sheets.
Izolon is a popular and versatile material that is used in many areas. Polyethylene with a special porous structure not only provides good thermal insulation, but also allows you to create real works of art.