HOW TO MEASURE THERMAL INSULATION?
In most applications, the primary feature of thermal insulation material is its ability to reduce heat exchange between a surface and the environment; or between one surface and another surface. The general rule is the lower a material’s thermal conductivity, the greater its ability to insulate for given material thickness and set of conditions. If it is that simple, then why are there so many different terms, such as K-value, U-value, and R-value? Here is an overview with relatively simple definitions.
THE IMPORTANCE OF K-VALUE, U-VALUE, AND R-VALUE FOR SANDWICH PANELS
It all has to do with two crucial choices that customers have to make: the thickness and the type of thermal insulation. Above all, the main feature of industrial thermal insulation is to reduce heat exchange between two separate environments.
And now, we are going to explain different ways to rate the performance of insulation in greater detail.
WHAT IS K-VALUE?
K-Value represents the thermal conductivity of a material, and it measures its ability to conduct the heat. So, the lower the K-value, the better the insulation is.
WHAT IS U-VALUE?
U-Value measures the thermal transmittance of materials as the rate of transfer of heat through matter. So, again, the lower the U-value, the better the insulation is.
WHAT IS R-VALUE?
R-Value measures the thermal resistance of insulation against the conductive flow of heat. In this case, the higher the R-value, the better the insulation is.
So, we test our insulated metal panels to show these values to our customers. Customers always need to know the K-value, U-value, or R-value of sandwich panels to be able to decide which level of insulation they need. In other words, knowing the required level of insulation means determining what thickness of insulation to purchase.
PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS
If a customer builds a blast-freezer that needs to work at -30˚C (-22˚F), he will need the cold-room metal insulated panels to maintain a U-Value, K-Value, and R-Value that correspond to a 150mm of PUR or PIR foam.
For example, a customer has to choose between PIR and Rockwool metal insulated panel; it’s essential to pay attention to U-Value, K-Value, and R-Value. As PIR and Rockwool metal insulated panels have different insulating power, one has to pay attention to which thickness offers the same insulation. In other words, if we want to replace a 60mm PIR insulated metal panel, we will have to choose a 100mm Rockwool sandwich panel.
CONCLUSION
There are different ways to measure the insulating power of an insulated metal panel or a floor insulation sheet. In the end, the lower the K-value, the better the insulation is. The lower the U-value, the better the insulation is. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation is.
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