Materials for Prefabricated Container Houses

Common exterior wall insulation materials for prefabricated container houses include Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam boards, Polyurethane (PU) foam, rock wool boards, Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs), and phenolic foam boards. Their characteristics and applicable scenarios are as follows:

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam boards are renowned for their lightweight nature and low thermal conductivity (approximately 0.033 - 0.038 W/(m·K)), offering good thermal insulation performance at a low cost and with easy installation. Their core advantage lies in cost control, making them suitable for container house projects with low thermal insulation requirements and limited budgets. However, EPS is flammable and requires the addition of flame retardants to enhance fire resistance. Additionally, long-term use may lead to a decline in thermal insulation performance due to material aging, so they are mostly used in temporary buildings or low-risk scenarios.

Polyurethane (PU) foam has extremely low thermal conductivity (approximately 0.022 - 0.028 W/(m·K)) and can achieve seamless filling through on-site foaming, forming a continuous thermal insulation layer while possessing waterproof and corrosion-resistant properties. Its airtightness effectively prevents thermal bridging effects, making it suitable for high thermal insulation requirements or humid and corrosive environments, such as container houses in coastal areas or chemical industrial parks. However, PU is relatively expensive, requires professional equipment for construction, and the foaming process may release a small amount of volatile organic compounds, necessitating proper ventilation conditions.

Rock wool boards are characterized by their non-combustibility (Class A fire resistance) and chemical stability, with a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.040 - 0.045 W/(m·K). They are strong and heat-resistant, suitable for public places or industrial environments with stringent fire safety requirements, such as schools, hospitals, or warehouses. However, rock wool is highly water-absorbent and requires the use of a waterproof layer; otherwise, long-term exposure to moisture will reduce thermal insulation performance and increase structural loads.

Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) have an extremely low thermal conductivity of 0.004 - 0.008 W/(m·K), far surpassing traditional materials in thermal insulation performance, and are thin (usually only 10 - 30mm), saving space. They are suitable for high-end projects with limited space, such as polar research stations or precision equipment storage containers. However, VIPs are expensive, and the core material is prone to vacuum degradation due to punctures or edge seal failures, requiring strict adherence to installation procedures.

Phenolic foam boards combine flame retardancy (Class B1) with low smoke and toxicity characteristics, with a thermal conductivity of approximately 0.022 - 0.030 W/(m·K). They are strong and heat-resistant, suitable for scenarios with high requirements for both fire safety and thermal insulation, such as container houses attached to high-rise buildings or data centers. However, phenolic foam is relatively expensive, requires professional cutting tools for construction, and long-term exposure to ultraviolet light may cause surface chalking, necessitating an external protective layer.