Polymer-matrix-bonded polyester fibers as a substitute for materials used for the cores of vacuum insulation panels

Abstract

The paper discusses the use of alternative raw materials for the manufacturing of VIPs (vacuum insulation panels). VIPs are thermally insulating boards with a fibrous core at an extremely low pressure. The research is focused on substituting glass fibers with polyester fibers in VIP cores. Polyester fibers are thermally bonded using BiCo fibers, which, once they have cooled down, form the matrix of a composite VIP core. It is proved that polyester fibers bonded with BiCo fibers show great promise, most notably in terms of their excellent thermal-insulation properties, which they retain for a long time.