Thermal and moisture properties of calcium silicate insulation boards

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine thermal and moisture properties of calcium silicate insulation boards available on the Finnish market. Ruggedness testing and test arrangement development were done related to the pressure plate test, which was used to measure desorption isotherms in capillary range. Four calcium silicate and one calcium hydroxide board were examined. The determined material properties are water vapour permeability, water absorption coefficient, capillary saturation water content, moisture sorption isotherm in hygroscopic and capillary range, thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity. Ruggedness tests and development were done to the pressure plate measurement method. Capacitance needles were tested as a method to evaluate the state of equilibrium and different vacuum saturation methods were tested.