Thermal insulation properties of materials for fishing vessel coolboxes

Abstract Effective insulation is critical for traditional fishing boats because it helps to maintain the quality of the fish catch. Inadequate insulation can lead to significant economic losses for fishermen, as they may have to discard or sell the fish at a lower price. This study aimed to compare the thermal conductivity properties of three different insulation materials: Petung bamboo, polystyrene foam, and polyurethane foam. The experiment involved testing the density of the materials and conducting thermal conductivity tests. The results indicated that polyurethane foam is the best material for insulation because it has the lowest thermal conductivity value compared to laminated bamboo and polystyrene foam. The addition of more isocyanate mass fraction to the polyurethane foam material can increase its density and strength. This is because increasing the isocyanate concentration increases the cross-linking density of the foam, making it more durable and resilient. Moreover, higher density polyurethane foams exhibit lower heat conductivity, indicating better insulation qualities. This study highlights the importance of effective insulation to maintain the quality of the fish catch. The findings suggest that polyurethane foam, particularly with increased isocyanate concentration, is the most suitable material for insulation due to its superior insulation qualities.