b'THERMOSETTING PHENOLIC COMPOSITE - TPCTECHNICAL DATA Thermal Properties Temperature CyclingAs TPC consists of a coated EPS bead, it retains theTPC is able to withstand the effects of temperature Thermal properties of the EPS which is thecycling thereby providing long term performance in low exceptional insulating properties from the stabilisedtemperature applications. air trapped within its cellular structure. Since it contains no CFCs or any other gas that may leak out,Core specimens of EPS removed from freezer walls in it will not harm the ozone layer or decrease itsplace for twenty years have demonstrated no insulation properties. deterioration in the structural integrity or physical properties.As Australian Standard 1366 Part 3 is a minimumconformance standard the thermal resistances quotedThe K Value of EPS decreases at lower average mean will be achieved as a minimum in 97.5% of cases in atemperatures, hence its popularity and success in statistical sample, when tested at a mean samplesubzero applications.temperature of 25C. ToxicityFor design purposes the average thermal resistance isExtensive research programs have been conducted a better guide than the minimum thermal resistance.overseas (i) to determine if thermal decomposition products of EPS present a toxicity hazard. The test Moisture Resistance results have revealed that these decomposition The EPS bead within the TPC is highly resistantproducts are less harmful than those of burning wood.resistant to the adverse effects of moisture content.At ten times its dry weight, EPS has been found toGases released during combustion are predominantly maintain 80% of its R value. carbon monoxide and, to a lesser extent, carbon dioxide. A CSIRO report (ii)comments that the toxicity of Australian Standard the gases associated with the burning of EPS is no Australian Standard 1366, Part 31992greater than that associated with timber.Physical Properties of Rigid CellularPolystyrenesets out minimum properties forCombustibilitysix classes (see table 1) and methods for determination and compliance. Flexibility inAs with all other organic material the EPS component production allows EPS to be produced to thisof TPC insulation products must be considered standard or to other requirements thatcombustible and to constitute a fire hazard if improperly specialized applications may demand. used or installed. Floatation Properties The material contains a flame retardant additive to The density of TPC is low compared to water, with ainhibit accidental ignition from small fire sources. Table normal density range of 38 to 42 kg/m3 compared to2 shows test results for EPS and other common water at 100 kg/m3. The water buoyancy per cubicbuilding materials to provide a good guide as to how metre of TPC is determined by subtracting its kg/m3these products compare.density from 1000. The result is the weight in(i)H.Hoffmann & H Oettel Comparative Toxicity of kilograms that a cubic metre of TPC can supportThermal Decomposition Productswhen fully submerged in water. (ii)P.R.Nicholl & K.G. Martin Toxicity Considerations ofCombustion Products from Cellular Plastics.Table 2Comparative testing of some materials to AS 1530, Part 3Early Fire Hazard TestIgnitability IndexSpread of Flame Heat Evolved IndexSmoke developed Material (0-20) Index (0-10) index(0-10) (0-10)EPS12 0 3 5Australian Softboard16 9 7 3Oregon13 6 5 3Bluegum11 0 3 2 Source: EBS Notes on the Science of Building NSB66Delta Insulation SystemsPage 3 of 4 P: +61 07 3271 2170 E: info@deltainsulationsystems.com W: www.deltainsulationsystems.com.au A: 49 Bernoulli Street, Darra Qld. 4076 ABN: 12 122 760 552'