Photo: Anete Lusina

Can plastic be used as insulation?

The short answer to the question “is plastic a good insulator” is yes, it is. Plastic conducts neither heat nor electricity, making it well-suited to electrical applications.

piper-plastics.com - Is Plastic a Good Insulator? - Piper Plastics Corp.

How do you attach a concrete ramp to a concrete slab?

Instructions for Building a Concrete Ramp Prepare a subbase for the ramp with 4 inches of compacted gravel. ... Stake and brace the form securely,...

Last updated May 14, 2018

What flower means regret?

purple hyacinth Hyacinth. The purple hyacinth specifically, represents sorrow, regret and forgiveness. Dec 17, 2020

Last updated Jul 16, 2018

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Many industries require materials that cannot conduct electricity or heat. After all, you don’t want to be shocked or burned while handling specific equipment. To prevent this, many appliances need to be coated in a material that does not conduct electricity or heat. In other words, they need to be insulators. Many people turn to plastic to cover their appliances, especially their electrical appliances, but how good of an insulator is plastic? Here we give you the answers:

The Short Answer

The short answer to the question “is plastic a good insulator” is yes, it is. Plastic conducts neither heat nor electricity, making it well-suited to electrical applications.

The Long Answer

Plastic is made up of polymers, that is, long, repeating chains of macromolecules. These long chains of molecules are tightly bound but extremely flexible, so they can form and mold into various shapes. This elasticity is why plastic is used for dip molding and dip coating. It is also why plastic is such a good insulator.

Electricity

Everyone knows that metal conducts electricity. It’s why we stay away from metal objects during a thunderstorm. The reason metal conducts electricity so well is because the electrons inside of metal move around freely, only flimsily attached to their respective atoms. Thanks to this freedom, they can easily conduct electricity. Plastic, on the other hand, has molecules that are tightly bound together, making it much more difficult for electricity to flow through.

Heat

For similar reasons, plastic is also a poor conductor of heat. Heat is generated when molecules vibrate back and forth or collide into each other, thus transferring thermal energy. However, since the molecules inside of plastic are so closely bound together, it requires a lot more energy for them to move and vibrate. To learn more about how plastic can be used for electrical and thermal applications, contact Piper Plastics today.

Can you buy a door jamb without the door?

We did the work to bring you the answer. You can replace the door frame without replacing the door, provided that the door is still in good shape....

Last updated Jul 19, 2019

What is better fiber or wire mesh or rebar in concrete?

The synthetic fiber mesh reinforces the concrete and reduces cracking. However, you need steel rebar for high tensile strength applications. So you...

Last updated Apr 2, 2022

Promotion

What is the warmest base layer top?

Wool - Wool tends to be more expensive than synthetic base layers, but it also has the best balance of heat efficiency, odor control, and moisture wicking capability.

cleverhiker.com - 7 Best Base Layers of 2023 - CleverHiker

BEST WOOL BASE LAYER OVERALL

MSRP: $105 (250) / $85 (150)

WEIGHT (Men’s M): 10.3 oz. (250) / 6.5 oz. (150)

FABRIC/WEIGHT: Midweight (250), lightweight (150) merino wool

PROS: Good value, excellent moisture wicking, warm when wet, breathable, odor-resistant, stylish enough to be worn on its own (250) CONS: Can pill after washing, may hold onto lint and pet hair, not as durable as synthetics in the long run BOTTOM LINE: Smartwool’s Merino 250 (men’s / women’s) and Merino 150 (men’s / women’s) base layers do an excellent job of wicking moisture. And since they’re wool, they don’t hold on to odors which is a real plus on multi-day trips. The 250s are just the right thickness to help you thermoregulate in chilly fall and winter conditions, while the 150s are a bit lighter and more ideal for use in milder temperatures throughout the year. The 250 top is available in a variety of styles, but we like the quarter-zip version best for neck and chest ventilation. Both the 250 and 150-weight base layers are high-quality and perform well, which has made them our go-tos for a long time.