Materials for Container Integrated Housing

The main materials for container integrated housing include steel, enclosure panels, connectors, and anti-corrosion coatings, among others. Different components utilize specific materials to meet requirements for structural strength, thermal performance, and durability.

1. Structural Frame Materials

The core load-bearing structure of container integrated housing employs high-strength weathering steel, such as Q355B grade steel. Its yield strength is approximately 30% higher than that of ordinary carbon steel, enabling it to support a box with a length-to-width ratio close to 2:1. A self-balancing system is formed through rigid connections between corner fittings and side beams. For example, Yiqi Company optimized steel selection, reducing material usage by about 15% while ensuring structural stability. Additionally, some products use hot-dip galvanized cold-formed steel as the frame, offering both rust and corrosion resistance, suitable for multi-layer stacking scenarios.

2. Enclosure Panel Materials

The enclosure structure must balance thermal insulation, fire resistance, and waterproofing. Common materials include:

• Rock wool sandwich panels: Filled with 75-100 mm thick rock wool, featuring a thermal conductivity below 0.040 W/(m·K). The fiber structure, arranged perpendicular to the heat flow direction, effectively inhibits heat transfer.
• Polyurethane sandwich panels: With a closed-cell ratio exceeding 90%, they combine thermal insulation and fire resistance, commonly used in packing-box container houses.
• Aluminum-zinc alloy-coated steel sheets: As the outer cladding material, they offer superior corrosion resistance compared to ordinary galvanized sheets. When paired with a 5 mm air layer to form a composite structure, the overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) is below 0.5 W/(m²·K), reducing condensation risk.

3. Connection Node Materials

Connectors must meet seismic and detachable requirements:

• Wedge locks: Made from 45# steel through heat treatment, with a 15-degree inclined surface angle. They resist horizontal shear forces through a self-locking effect, controlling displacement to within 3 mm during simulated magnitude 8 earthquakes.
• High-strength bolts: Used in conjunction with wedge locks to form a dual-fixing mode, facilitating repeated assembly during secondary relocation and reducing construction waste.

4. Surface Anti-Corrosion Materials

The coating system employs a epoxy zinc-rich primer + polyurethane topcoat combination:

• The primer contains over 80% zinc powder, protecting the base metal through sacrificial anode principles.
• The topcoat incorporates nano-silica particles, achieving a hardness of 3H. In salt spray tests (ASTM B117 standard), no red rust appears after 1000 hours, equivalent to a 15-year protection cycle, supporting a 25-year service life for the main structure of the container.