Vacuum Insulation Panels - An Assessment of the Impact of Accelerated Ageing on Service Life

Vacuum insulation panels (VIP) are the most effective thermal insulation and are primarily used where not much space is available and extremely high thermal insulation properties are required. Panels are already widely used in industry (insulation of the front doors and side walls of refrigerators and freezers for domestic appliances), for logistic purposes (transport containers, storage tanks, campers, refrigeration and other vehicles), for the insulation of laboratory and professional devices and insulation of various construction elements, such as elements for doors, furniture. Since the entry of atmospheric air gases into VIP panels represents the most harmful influence on their excellent thermal insulation properties, our research was focused on the analysis of accelerated ageing and determination of service life caused by this influence. The primary objective of the research was to define the theoretical base supporting measurements of accelerated testing and the connection between ageing and the service life of VIP panels. Arrhenius law of accelerated testing was used as a theoretical support to experimental testing of VIP panels at high temperatures and different exposure times. These results are useful in order to control quality, resistance to ageing and determining the life expectancy of VIP panel products, the characteristics of which can be determined in a significantly shorter time during accelerated testing than during real service life conditions. The accelerated ageing laboratory test measurements and simulation analysis confirm that VIP panels are a durable and high quality product.