Thermal insulation enhanced with hollow microspheres in paints and coatings

 
This study investigates the thermal insulation performance of paints and coatings enhanced with lightweight fillers, focusing on their ability to reduce heat build-up. The research demonstrates that the incorporation of lightweight fillers, such as hollow glass microspheres and closed-cell expanded perlite microspheres, leads to a significant decrease in the thermal conductivity of the coating layer and an increase in the Solar Reflective Index (SRI). These improvements collectively affect the heat accumulation on coated surfaces. The study evaluates various formulations, comparing different types of lightweight fillers to assess their impact on the thermal and mechanical properties of the coatings. Key parameters such as formulation density, elongation, opacity, permeability, and wet-scrub resistance were analyzed. The introduction of lightweight fillers reduces the density of the formulations, which enhances the volume yield. The elongation property is increased, which is of particular interest for applications such as cool roof coatings, where high elongation is advantageous with respect to thermally-induced distortions. A major focus of this research was the development and refinement of an experimental setup that offers better resolution in the assessment of heat build-up in coatings. This setup allowed for a more accurate evaluation of the thermal performance of the lightweight filler-enhanced formulations, yielding previously unpublished technical results. The findings show the effectiveness of these formulations in reducing heat build-up, which is critical for improving the energy efficiency of buildings, particularly in warmer climates. The study's results highlight the dual benefits of enhanced SRI and reduced thermal conductivity, both of which influence the heat build-up in coated surfaces. These advantages translate into potential cooling energy savings, which can play a role in reducing CO2 emissions associated with building operations. The adoption of lightweight filler-containing thermal insulating paints and coatings could thus be a strategy in mitigating the environmental impact of buildings, particularly in regions with high ambient temperatures. In summary, this research provides valuable insights into the thermal insulation capabilities of lightweight filler-enhanced paints and coatings. It not only advances the understanding of how these materials can improve energy efficiency but also introduces a more robust experimental framework for future studies in this area.