The building industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards energy conservation and environmental protection, propelled by global sustainability goals and stringent regulatory requirements. As a result, the demand for high-performance insulation materials has skyrocketed, with architects and construction professionals constantly seeking innovative solutions. In this context, lightweight diatomaceous earth powder (diatomite powder) has emerged as a game-changer, offering a unique combination of low thermal conductivity, high fire resistance, and natural environmental friendliness.
In wall panel production, such as gypsum wall panels and cement wall panels, diatomaceous earth powder plays a crucial role in reducing thermal conductivity. The porous structure of diatomaceous earth powder contains a large amount of static air, which acts as an excellent insulator. With a thermal conductivity of only 0.035-0.05 W/(m·K), adding 15-25% lightweight diatomaceous earth powder to the wall panel matrix can significantly reduce the thermal conductivity of the wall panel by 25-35%. A real-world example comes from a construction material factory in Shandong, which used our product to produce gypsum wall panels. The thermal conductivity of these panels was measured at 0.10 W/(m·K), compared to 0.15 W/(m·K) for ordinary gypsum wall panels. In a residential community that installed these advanced wall panels, annual heating and air conditioning energy consumption decreased by an impressive 20-25%, leading to substantial cost savings and reduced environmental impact. Moreover, diatomaceous earth powder enhances the sound insulation of wall panels. The air-filled pores effectively absorb sound waves, reducing indoor noise levels by 8-12 dB and creating a more peaceful and comfortable living environment.
For roof insulation boards, including polyurethane insulation boards and extruded polystyrene boards, diatomaceous earth powder offers significant advantages in terms of fire resistance. Most traditional roof insulation materials are highly flammable, such as polystyrene boards with a fire rating of B2, posing serious safety risks. By adding 10-20% diatomaceous earth powder, a non-combustible material with a melting point exceeding 1600°C, the fire rating of the insulation board can be upgraded to B1 (flame-retardant). In a recent commercial building project in Shanghai, our diatomaceous earth powder was added to polyurethane insulation boards. During the vertical burning test, the boards self-extinguished within 30 seconds after the removal of the fire source, with no dripping or flame spread. The fire resistance limit reached an impressive 1.5 hours, fully meeting the stringent fire protection requirements of high-rise buildings. Additionally, diatomaceous earth powder improves the aging resistance of insulation boards. After undergoing 2000 hours of artificial aging testing, the thermal conductivity of the modified boards increased by only 5-8%, compared to a 15-20% increase in ordinary boards. This enhanced durability ensures long-term performance and reliability.
In insulation mortars, diatomaceous earth powder offers multiple benefits, including improved workability and crack resistance. Insulation mortar is widely used for exterior wall insulation and requires excellent fluidity and anti-cracking properties. By adding 8-15% diatomaceous earth powder to cement-based insulation mortar, the density of the mortar can be reduced from 1800 kg/m³ to 1200-1500 kg/m³, making it easier to apply and work with. The porous structure of diatomaceous earth powder also helps to buffer the shrinkage stress of the mortar during the curing process, significantly reducing the cracking rate by more than 70%. In a residential exterior wall insulation project in Hebei, our diatomaceous earth powder insulation mortar was used. After three years of service, the exterior walls showed no signs of cracking, peeling, or hollowing, and the insulation effect remained stable, demonstrating the superior performance of our product.
Our lightweight diatomaceous earth powder for building insulation is characterized by a bulk density of 0.3-0.6 g/cm³, which is only one-third to one-half of that of ordinary diatomite powder. With a particle size ranging from 100-300 mesh, it is highly compatible with various building material matrices. The main technical indicators of our product are as follows: SiO₂ content ≥85%, Al₂O₃ content ≤6%, Fe₂O₃ content ≤2%, moisture content ≤3%, and pH value 6.0-7.5 (neutral, ensuring no corrosion to building structures). In addition to our standard product, we also offer calcined diatomaceous earth powder, which features higher porosity (pore volume ≥0.8 cm³/g) and even better insulation performance, making it ideal for high-end insulation applications.
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