Much better than PUR / PIR in terms of fire resistance; Much better than rock wool / glass wool in terms of thermal insulation
Excellent on Both Fire Resistance And Heat Insulation
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Why use phenolic foam board for air duct construction
Phenolic foam rigid board has excellent thermal insulation that is as competitive as PUR / PIR foam. The thermal conductivity can be 0.02~0.03 W/m.K. It is much better than rock wool or glass wool that often used to wrap traditional air ducts.
* The both sides of phenolic foam boards can be covered with aluminum foil to become pre-insulated air duct panels. It means you don't need metal sheet any more to build traditional air ducts.
* The sandwich panel (phenolic foam + aluminum foil) has excellent fire-resistance performance. It can reach Class A fire safety. In case there is a fire, there will be no burning drip and the smoke is very small and non-toxic. If you use PUR / PIR foam as the insulation material, they don't have a good fire retardant property and their smoke is much and toxic.
* Phenolic foam boards have very low water absorption. So it will not breed bacteria and viruses like rock wool or glass wool.
* Compared with traditional metal-sheet air duct system, the pre-insulated sandwich phenolic foam boards are light weight, so it is very easy and quick to do the air duct construction.
* The both sides of phenolic foam boards can be covered with aluminum foil to become pre-insulated air duct panels. It means you don't need metal sheet any more to build traditional air ducts.
* The sandwich panel (phenolic foam + aluminum foil) has excellent fire-resistance performance. It can reach Class A fire safety. In case there is a fire, there will be no burning drip and the smoke is very small and non-toxic. If you use PUR / PIR foam as the insulation material, they don't have a good fire retardant property and their smoke is much and toxic.
* Phenolic foam boards have very low water absorption. So it will not breed bacteria and viruses like rock wool or glass wool.
* Compared with traditional metal-sheet air duct system, the pre-insulated sandwich phenolic foam boards are light weight, so it is very easy and quick to do the air duct construction.
Physical Properties of Phenolic Foam Boards
1. Structure: Rigid Phenolic insulation has a high closed cell content and fine cell structure. It is lightweight, easy to transport , handle and install.
2. Compressive strength: Phenolic foams are produced with densities in the range of 35 kg/m³ to 200 kg/m³. High density boards have a good compressive strength and are suitable for some floors.
3. Material resistance: Rigid phenolic insulation is resistant to fungus and mould growth and will not sustain vermin.
4. Heat resistance: Rigid phenolic insulation can withstand continuous temperatures of up to 120 degrees C.
5. Moisture resistance: Moisture has a minimal effect on its thermal performance. Rigid phenolic insulation has a 95% (or greater) closed cell content which makes it highly resistant to moisture penetration. It also has a low water vapour permeance. Phenolic foam is also non-wicking. This means that if water enters the insulation system due to the vapour barrier becoming punctured, any moisture ingress is limited and confined to the punctured area. This ensures moisture does not build up and compromise the whole system.
6. Stability: Rigid phenolic is dimensionally stable and can be cut accurately to achieve a snug fit in situations such as between rafters where airtightness will be improved.
7. Fire performance: The fire performance of phenolic foam is exceptional. It combines zero or very low flame spread with negligible smoke emission and a very low level of toxic gas emission. Phenolic foams which have very low thermal conductivities are used as alternatives to PUR or PIR foams where a self extinguishing, low smoke emission, material is required. Insulating materials are rigorously tested to British Standards and fire performance data, to meet the requirements of building regulations, is generally available from manufacturers.
2. Compressive strength: Phenolic foams are produced with densities in the range of 35 kg/m³ to 200 kg/m³. High density boards have a good compressive strength and are suitable for some floors.
3. Material resistance: Rigid phenolic insulation is resistant to fungus and mould growth and will not sustain vermin.
4. Heat resistance: Rigid phenolic insulation can withstand continuous temperatures of up to 120 degrees C.
5. Moisture resistance: Moisture has a minimal effect on its thermal performance. Rigid phenolic insulation has a 95% (or greater) closed cell content which makes it highly resistant to moisture penetration. It also has a low water vapour permeance. Phenolic foam is also non-wicking. This means that if water enters the insulation system due to the vapour barrier becoming punctured, any moisture ingress is limited and confined to the punctured area. This ensures moisture does not build up and compromise the whole system.
6. Stability: Rigid phenolic is dimensionally stable and can be cut accurately to achieve a snug fit in situations such as between rafters where airtightness will be improved.
7. Fire performance: The fire performance of phenolic foam is exceptional. It combines zero or very low flame spread with negligible smoke emission and a very low level of toxic gas emission. Phenolic foams which have very low thermal conductivities are used as alternatives to PUR or PIR foams where a self extinguishing, low smoke emission, material is required. Insulating materials are rigorously tested to British Standards and fire performance data, to meet the requirements of building regulations, is generally available from manufacturers.
Technical Parameters of Phenolic Foam Board
Properties |
Phenolic Foam (PF) |
Density (kg/m³) |
40~60 |
Thermal Conductivity W/(m.K) |
0.02~0.03 |
Heat Insulation |
As competitive as Polyurethane Foam (PUR) or Polyisocyanurate foam (PIR) |
Fire Resistance (ASTM E84) |
Class A |
Drips in Fire |
No |
Oxygen Index |
>36 |
Max. Smoke Density |
2% |
Smoke Toxicity |
Non-toxic |
High Temperature Resistance (°C) |
withstand continuous temperatures of up to 120°C |
Low Temperature Resistance (°C) |
-250°C |
Dimension Stability |
Very stable (only color darkens) |
Water Absorption |
Low (<1.9%) |
Resistant to Bacteria / Virus |
Yes |
Environmental friendliness |
CFC free HCFC free Fiber Free |
Sound Insulation |
Good |
Compressing Strength |
Very strong if higher density |
Construction Difficulty |
Light weight - Easy for construction work |