Why is edge sealing of sandwich panels critical for long-term service life?

Exposed core material at cut edges is the primary pathway for moisture, chemical pollutants, and microbial ingress. For example, with PU sandwich panels, unsealed edges exposed to 80% RH for 1000 hours result in core water absorption of up to 12% wt, increasing thermal conductivity by 40%, while hydrolysis breaks isocyanurate rings, reducing compressive strength by 65%. Proper edge sealing includes: 1) Applying elastic edge sealant (silicone-modified polyether based); 2) Embedding EPDM sealing strips; 3) Encapsulating with aluminum foil or U-shaped edge tape. For cold storage panels, screw holes and joints should also be sealed. ASTM C1303 states clearly that unsealed edge sandwich panels should not be rated for long-term insulation performance.


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