2dognights
2003-12-30, 00:12
Similar post at backpacking.net
I am in the process of having a house built and doing what work I can. Part of the process involved an interesting type of insulation that might have an application for lightweight packing. The insulation is composed of a thin (foil) sheet of polished aluminum (99.4% pure) sandwiched between two 1/4" sheets of closed cell polyethylene foam - total thickness of 1/2". The R-Value is 2.9 - better than a ThermaRest Ultralight or Ridgerest at 2.6. It weighs approximately 12 oz for a 20" x 72" piece - better than a Ridgerest at 14 oz.
However, I think the most potential comes from the aluminum sheet. It will reflect all of the radiant heat that you put off in that direction. I noticed this while taking a break from working on the house. I laid down on a piece of insulation and pretty soon, my back felt like it had a heating pad under it. I've never felt that when laying on my Thermarest. Our bodies generate radiant (infared) heat, so anything that can reflect it back at us helps keep us warm. Think about what emergency blankets are made of - just a radiant barrier to keep reflecting the heat back at the body. I think some here are using car windshield sunscreens for radiant barriers.
So, I can't go test it because I don't have time while building the house. Plus, nobody knows me from Adam. I thought I could cut a piece and send it to someone who could do a really good test and who's opinion would mean something. Any recommendations? Volunteers?
Other info/thoughts:
Rolls to 7" diameter (bulky)
Fairly puncture resistant
Softer than a blue pad
May be too hot during the summer
-2dognights
I am in the process of having a house built and doing what work I can. Part of the process involved an interesting type of insulation that might have an application for lightweight packing. The insulation is composed of a thin (foil) sheet of polished aluminum (99.4% pure) sandwiched between two 1/4" sheets of closed cell polyethylene foam - total thickness of 1/2". The R-Value is 2.9 - better than a ThermaRest Ultralight or Ridgerest at 2.6. It weighs approximately 12 oz for a 20" x 72" piece - better than a Ridgerest at 14 oz.
However, I think the most potential comes from the aluminum sheet. It will reflect all of the radiant heat that you put off in that direction. I noticed this while taking a break from working on the house. I laid down on a piece of insulation and pretty soon, my back felt like it had a heating pad under it. I've never felt that when laying on my Thermarest. Our bodies generate radiant (infared) heat, so anything that can reflect it back at us helps keep us warm. Think about what emergency blankets are made of - just a radiant barrier to keep reflecting the heat back at the body. I think some here are using car windshield sunscreens for radiant barriers.
So, I can't go test it because I don't have time while building the house. Plus, nobody knows me from Adam. I thought I could cut a piece and send it to someone who could do a really good test and who's opinion would mean something. Any recommendations? Volunteers?
Other info/thoughts:
Rolls to 7" diameter (bulky)
Fairly puncture resistant
Softer than a blue pad
May be too hot during the summer
-2dognights