- Faculty of Civil Engineering
- Faculty Departments
- Laboratory of Thermal Insulating Materials and Acoustics
Laboratory of Thermal Insulating Materials and Acoustics
About the Laboratory
Laboratory History
The laboratory was founded and initially operated as the Laboratory of Construction Materials Applications.
The laboratory was renamed the Laboratory of Thermal Insulating Materials. In the same year, the laboratory was also accredited to perform quality testing of thermal insulating construction materials and products (Accreditation Certificate No LA.01.004).
The laboratory is a notified body (identification number 1688) for assessing the constancy of performance of thermal insulating products in line with Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (System 3). Its main function is initial type testing of products.
The laboratory was renamed the Laboratory of Thermal Insulating Materials and Acoustics. Since that year, the laboratory has been headed by Dr Giedrius Balčiūnas.
Research
The Laboratory of Thermal Insulating Materials and Acoustics carries out standardised testing of thermal insulating materials, develops innovative composites, and implements sustainable technologies that promote efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.
-
Research on Traditional Thermal Insulating Materials
Accredited testing of physical, mechanical, and performance properties in accordance with national and European standardsAccredited and notified testing of physical, mechanical, and performance properties of traditional thermal insulating materials (EPS, XPS, MW, PIR/PUR, WW, WF) in line with national and European testing standards (within the accredited scope) and harmonised standards (System 3).
Test Method Standards:
-
LST EN ISO 29470 – Thermal insulating products for buildings. Determination of apparent density.
-
LST EN 12667 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of thermal resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods. Products of high and medium thermal resistance.
-
LST EN 12664 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of thermal resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods. Dry and moist products of medium and low thermal resistance.
-
LST EN 12939 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of thermal resistance by means of guarded hot plate and heat flow meter methods. Thick products of high and medium thermal resistance.
-
ISO 8301 – Thermal insulation. Determination of steady-state thermal resistance and related properties by heat flow meter apparatus.
-
ISO 8302 – Thermal insulation. Determination of steady-state thermal resistance and related properties by guarded hot plate apparatus.
-
LST EN 13820 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of organic content.
-
LST EN ISO 29465 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of length and width.
-
LST EN ISO 29768 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of linear dimensions of test specimens.
-
LST EN ISO 29466 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of thickness.
-
LST EN 824 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of squareness.
-
LST EN ISO 29468 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of flatness.
-
LST EN 1603 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of dimensional stability under constant normal laboratory conditions.
-
LST EN 1604 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of dimensional stability under specified temperature and humidity conditions.
-
LST EN 1605 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of deformation under specified compressive load and temperature conditions.
-
LST EN ISO 12570 – Thermal insulation. Determination of moisture content by drying.
-
LST EN ISO 2976 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of short-term water absorption.
-
LST EN 12086 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of water vapour transmission properties.
-
LST EN ISO 16536 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of long-term water absorption by diffusion.
-
LST EN ISO 1653 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of long-term water absorption by immersion.
-
LST EN ISO 16534 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of creep behaviour.
-
LST EN 1607 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of tensile strength perpendicular to faces.
-
LST EN ISO 29766 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of tensile strength parallel to faces.
-
LST EN ISO 29469 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Determination of compressive behaviour.
-
LST EN 12089 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of bending behaviour.
-
LST EN 12090 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of shear behaviour.
-
LST EN 12430 – Thermal performance of building materials and products. Determination of behaviour under concentrated load.
-
LST EN ISO 29770 – Thermal insulating products for building applications. Insulating layer for floating floors.
-
LST EN 15101-1 – Loose-fill thermal insulation materials. Determination of settlement.
-
-
Research on Innovative Thermal Insulating Materials
Analysis of the Structure and Properties of Modified Polyurethane, Fibre-Reinforced, and Bio-Based CompositesResearch on the structure and properties of innovative thermal insulating materials, such as modified polyurethane, fibre-based structures, nonwoven mats, and composites with plant-based fillers, using standard (LST EN, ISO, ASTM, etc.) and non-standard test methods.
Research Equipment
The Laboratory of Thermal Insulating Materials and Acoustics is equipped with unique, calibrated research equipment that enables the development and testing of thermal insulating and other materials.
Thermal Properties Measurement Equipment
- LaserComp Fox 304 Heat Flow Meter (USA)
- LambdaMesstechnik EP500e Guarded Hot Plate Apparatus (Germany)
- NETZSCH HMF 706 Heat Flow Meter (Germany)
- FLIR E60BX Thermal Imaging Camera
Mechanical Properties Testing Equipment
- Hounsfield H10KS (up to 10 kN)
- Testometric X500 (up to 50 kN)
- Creep Testing Stands (load up to 1000 kg)
Material Structure and Composition Analysis Equipment
- Bruker LUMOS II FTIR Spectrometer
- Anton Paar Ultrapyc 5000 Foam Pycnometer
- Ossila Contact Angle Goniometer
- AED AcoustiFlow Airflow Resistance Tester
Temperature and Humidity Exposure Testing Equipment
- Short-Term and Long-Term Water Absorption Testing Equipment
- Long-Term Water Absorption by Diffusion Testing Equipment
- Feutron Climatic Chambers (temperature up to 100 °C, humidity up to 99% RH)
- Dycometal CHD-720 Heating and Cooling Chamber
- Drying Ovens (up to 900 °C)
- Thermo-Hygrometers (up to 99% RH)
- Thermometers (up to 900 °C)
Bulk and Liquid Material Characterisation Equipment
- NDJ-8S Viscometer
- Zellofant M95 Bulk Material Sprayer
- Bulk Material Settlement Testing Equipment (vibration, impact, cyclic temperature and humidity exposure)
- KERN DAB 100-3 Moisture Analyser
Measurement and Auxiliary Laboratory Equipment
- Analytical Balances (capacity 200 g, readability 0.1 mg; up to 1000 g, readability 1 mg)
- Laboratory Balances (up to 36 kg)
- Linear Dimension Measurement Equipment: Digimet Helios Digital Indicators (up to 100 mm, accuracy 0.001 mm) Dial Indicators (range 10 mm to 100 mm)
- Hammer Mill
- Rotor Mill
Projects
The laboratory has implemented national and international research and innovation projects aimed at strengthening research and study potential and contributing to the achievement of sustainable development and circular economy goals.
Student Summer Internship Project, administered under the Research Council of Lithuania programme “Development of the National Research and Study System”, Task 1 “Strengthening the National R&D Potential”, Measure No 12-001-11-01-02 “Promoting the Growth of Scientific Human Resources through Targeted Investment in Students and Early-Career Researchers”.
Project title: Development of Artificial Logs from Organic Waste
Project value: EUR 4,000
Research group project funded by the Research Council of Lithuania:
Development of Large-Scale Artificial Wood from Renewable Resources and Evaluation of Its Performance Properties.
Project value: EUR 150,000
Project for the Implementation of Mission-Oriented Research and Innovation Programmes No 02-002-P-0001, thematic area “Smart and Climate-Neutral Lithuania”.
R&D project: Climate-Neutral Solutions for the Construction Industry.
Project: UAB “Ecococon” Investments in R&D and Certification
Research activity: Development of a New Eco-Friendly Structural Board Made from Chopped Straw for the Construction Industry
Implemented in cooperation with UAB Ecococon.
Project value: approximately EUR 100,000
Project under the Lithuanian Rural Development Programme 2014–2020, measure “Cooperation”, activity area “Support for the Establishment and Development of EIP Operational Groups”.
Project title: Thermal Insulation Materials from Sheep Wool
Total project value: approximately EUR 200,000
VILNIUS TECH share: EUR 105,000
Administered by the National Paying Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania
Central Project Management Agency programme: “Promotion of the Activities of Competence Centres and Innovation and Technology Transfer Centres”.
Project: Centre for Environmentally Friendly Structural and Composite Materials and Environmental Technologies.
Research Project No 18827 TP-1 (Intelektas Programme. Joint Research–Business Projects, No J05-LVPA-K-04-0038 – part of the project):
Development of an Innovative Eco-Friendly Board for the Construction and Furniture Industry.
Implemented in cooperation with UAB Naujolita.
Project value: approximately EUR 100,000
National Project: Development, Research, and Application of Energy-Efficient Materials for Building Envelopes.
Project value: approximately EUR 290,000
Partners
The laboratory actively collaborates with companies in conducting research, experimental development, and activities within accredited and notified areas.
