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Thermal Conductivity of Phenolic Foams

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Phenolic Based Foams

Part of the book series: Gels Horizons: From Science to Smart Materials ((GHFSSM))

Abstract

Thermal insulation materials are the key structures in many application areas for the conservation of energy and control of heat transfer. Phenolic foams (PFs) are known as rigid thermosetting polymeric foams with outstanding chemical resistance, outstanding thermal and acoustic insulation performances, excellent flame resistance, and low smoke production. Theoretical models and heat transfer mechanisms have been developed for the prediction of thermal conductivity by taking the cellular morphologies such as porosity, cell size, as well as cell structures and cell wall into consideration. Significant efforts have been devoted to decrease the thermal conductivity and improve the insulation properties of phenolic foams, which are expected to enable a broader range of applications. Various types of thermally insulating phenolic foams containing different matrix, micro- or nanofillers, and hollow particles, as well as the phenolic-based carbon foams are systematically summarized to understand the control and optimization of cellular morphology and thermal conductivity. Owing to the extremely low thermal conductivity combined with other satisfactory comprehensive properties, phenolic foams have attracted great attention for thermal insulation materials in applications such as aerospace, building, shipbuilding, petroleum, and chemical industry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science and Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xian, P. R. China

    Zhonglei Ma

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  1. Zhonglei Ma
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Correspondence to Zhonglei Ma .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India

    Sandhya P.K

  2. Sree Sankara College, Kalady, India

    Sreekala M.S.

  3. Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India

    Sabu Thomas

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Ma, Z. (2022). Thermal Conductivity of Phenolic Foams. In: P.K, S., M.S., S., Thomas, S. (eds) Phenolic Based Foams. Gels Horizons: From Science to Smart Materials. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5237-0_9

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