THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL BASED ON SODIUM SILICATE AND POLYURETHANE FOAM MATRIX

Petr Lipka; Nikita Borisenkov; Ksenia Mironova; Diana Chesnokova; Mikhail Bruyako

doi:10.62980/2076-0655-2026-154-166

VAK Russia 2.6.17 UDC 691.175 CSCSTI 67.09

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THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL BASED ON SODIUM SILICATE AND POLYURETHANE FOAM MATRIX

Published in Technique and technology of silicates · Volume 33, Issue 2 · Pages 154–166 · Rubric: MAIN RUBRIC

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62980/2076-0655-2026-154-166 · EDN: LEJZLM

Received: 20.03.2026 Accepted: 24.04.2026 Published: 29.04.2026 Language of publication: RUS

Authors

Petr Lipka

Nikita Borisenkov

Ksenia Mironova

Diana Chesnokova

et al.

Mikhail Bruyako

Petr Lipka

National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering Russian Federation · Moscow

Nikita Borisenkov

National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering Russian Federation · Moscow

Ksenia Mironova

National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering Russian Federation · Moscow

Diana Chesnokova

National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering Russian Federation · Moscow

Mikhail Bruyako

Academic degree: candidate of technical sciences

National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering Associate Professor · Russian Federation · Moscow

ABSTRACT

Introduction. The widespread use of polymer materials in the construction industry for the production of thermal insulation products based on them is largely due to the ability to obtain a highly porous polymer matrix with high specific strength and chemical resistance. Among thermal insulation polymer materials, polyurethane foam is of particular interest, exhibiting a thermal conductivity of up to 0.02 W/(m·K). How-ever, its significant drawback is flammability, which limits its application. Research is underway to mitigate this drawback through chemical modification, for example, with a silicate component in crystalline hydrate form. The purpose of this work is defined, which is to investigate the effect of the silicate component on the performance properties of pour-in-place rigid polyurethane foam and to establish the relationship with the resulting pore structure of the composites. Materials and methods. An organomineral thermal insulation composite based on a reactive mixture for the synthesis of rigid pour-in-place polyurethane foam, modified with a silicate component – sodium meta-silicate pentahydrate Na₂SiO₃·5H₂O of fraction (0.9–1.25 mm). It was produced by free foaming of the reac-tion mixture components. For modification, a silicate component was added to the mixture in quantities of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90% of the reactive composition. The prepared mixture hardened within 24 hours at a temperature of 22±3°C. The performance properties of the composite material were determined in accordance with regulatory documents. Results. It was found that the modification accelerates the processes of foam and polymer formation. However, due to the high true density of sodium metasilicate, initially, upon introducing 15% of the silicate component into the system, the density of the composite decreases from 51 kg/m³ to 33 kg/m³. A further increase in the concentration of the silicate-containing component up to 90% leads to an increase in density to 77 kg/m³. The compressive strength at 10% strain drops by 50% upon introducing 15% of the silicate component (from 0.46 to 0.23 MPa), but with a further increase in concentration, it recovers to 0.36 MPa. The specific strength of the organic polymer matrix changes only slightly (a decrease of no more than 11%), indicating the maintenance of its load-bearing capacity. Thermal conductivity increases moderately from 0.022 to 0.029 W/(m K), assisted by the preservation of high porosity (94–97%) and a closedcell, uniform pore structure. It is noted that the main contribution to the reduction in thermal insulation ability and flammability is provided by the highly thermally conductive silicate component in amounts of 60–90%. Conclusions. The conducted complex of studies allowed us to establish the optimal composition of the composite material. It is recommended to saturate the rigid pour-in-place polyurethane foam composition with the silicate component in the range of 45–60% of its content.

KEYWORDS

silicate component, sodium metasilicate, pore structure, rigid polyurethane foam, flammability, density, compressive strength, water absorption, thermal conductivity

Funding

The work was carried out at NIU MSCU within the framework of the University Development Program “PRIORITY 2030”. Project 3.1 “Scientific breakthrough in the construction industry - new technologies, new materials, new methods”. The research was funded by the National Research Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (grant for fundamental scientific research, project No. 04-482/130).

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GOST

Lipka P. A., Borisenkov N. S., Mironova K. A., Chesnokova D. S., Bruyako M. G. THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL BASED ON SODIUM SILICATE AND POLYURETHANE FOAM MATRIX // Technique and technology of silicates. 2026. no. 2. pp. 154-166. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62980/2076-0655-2026-154-166. EDN: LEJZLM. (Date of access 18.10.2026).

MLA

Petr Lipka, Borisenkov N. S., Mironova K. A., Chesnokova D. S., Bruyako M. G.. "THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL BASED ON SODIUM SILICATE AND POLYURETHANE FOAM MATRIX." Technique and technology of silicates 33.2 (2026): 154-166. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62980/2076-0655-2026-154-166. EDN: LEJZLM.

APA

Lipka P. A., Borisenkov N. S., Mironova K. A., Chesnokova D. S., Bruyako M. G. (2026). THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL BASED ON SODIUM SILICATE AND POLYURETHANE FOAM MATRIX. Technique and technology of silicates, 33(2), 154-166. https://doi.org/10.62980/2076-0655-2026-154-166 EDN: LEJZLM.

Chicago

Petr Lipka, Borisenkov N. S., Mironova K. A., Chesnokova D. S., Bruyako M. G.. "THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL BASED ON SODIUM SILICATE AND POLYURETHANE FOAM MATRIX." Technique and technology of silicates 33, no. 2 (2026): 154-166. https://doi.org/10.62980/2076-0655-2026-154-166. EDN: LEJZLM.

WIKI

{{cite journal | author = Lipka P. A., Borisenkov N. S., Mironova K. A., Chesnokova D. S., Bruyako M. G. | title = THERMAL INSULATION COMPOSITE MATERIAL BASED ON SODIUM SILICATE AND POLYURETHANE FOAM MATRIX | journal = Technique and technology of silicates | year = 2026 | volume = 33 | issue = 2 | pages = 154-166 | doi = 10.62980/2076-0655-2026-154-166 }} EDN: LEJZLM

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