Cellular glass, insulation material

Container Insulation Tanks containing materials above atmospheric temperature may require insulation to reduce loss of heat. Almost any of the commonly used insulating materials can be employed. Calcium silicate, glass fiber, mineral wool, cellular glass, and plastic foams are among those used. Tanks exposed to weather must have jackets or protective coatings, usually asphalt, to keep water out of the insulation. 

Some commonly used insulating materials are calcium silicate, mineral slagwool, glass fiber, cellular glass, and polyurethane. 

Because of its structure and composition the cellular glass is an excellent insulating material for the inside hot surfaces of process equipment. It has a weight of only 12 Ib/ft (0.19 g/cm ). For example, a process vessel handling 65% sulfuric acid at 350°F/177°C would have an outer shell of mild steel, an inner membrane of sheet rubber or vinyl, and an inner insulation of four 4 in. courses (layers) of acid brick laid up with a silicate mortar. As a result of the extra thickness of the lining, the outer steel walls and vessel supports would have to be heavy. 

Thermal insulators comprise an equally broad range of materials. Such inorganics as mineral fibers, magnesia, aluminum silicate, cellulose, and glass fibers are widely used for steam and hot-water pipes, furnaces, and blown-in home insulation. Organic products that are effective include plastic foams (polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene) and cellular rubber. There are a number of materials that may be called double insulators, since they have both electrical and thermal insulating properties,... 

Air is a unique case, as it is the only gaseous material in actual use as an insulator. Its dielectric constant is 1.0058, far less than that of any other dielectric material, and it has low thermal conductivity as well. It is particularly effective when trapped within a solid network, as in wool, cellular plastics, or glass fibers, or as an interlayer between wall panels. 

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