Abstract: Described herein is a wall assembly for use in walls of energy efficient residential or commercial buildings which can provide improved thermal resistance, moisture resistance and structural capacity. The wall assembly includes a frame assembly; a laminated outer sheathing layer; and a closed cell inner foam layer for coupling the layer to the frame assembly. Also described herein is a method of manufacturing the wall assembly.

Abstract: Described herein is a wall assembly for use in walls of energy efficient residential or commercial buildings which can provide improved thermal resistance, moisture resistance and structural capacity. The wall assembly includes a frame assembly, an outer fiberboard, and a closed cell foam layer. The fiberboard is laminated with a lamination such as a non-perforated, non-woven polyolefin permeable membrane. The closed cell foam layer couples the frame assembly and the outer fiberboard. Also described herein is a method of manufacturing the wall assembly.

Abstract: Described herein is a wall assembly for use in walls of energy efficient residential or commercial buildings which can provide improved thermal resistance, moisture resistance and structural capacity. The wall assembly includes a frame assembly; a sheathing layer; a closed cell inner foam layer for coupling the layer to the frame assembly; and an outer fiberboard. Also described herein is a method of manufacturing the wall assembly.

Abstract: Described herein is a wall assembly for use in walls of energy efficient residential or commercial buildings which can provide improved thermal resistance, moisture resistance and structural capacity. The wall assembly includes a frame assembly; a laminated outer sheathing layer; and a closed cell inner foam layer for coupling the layer to the frame assembly. Also described herein is a method of manufacturing the wall assembly.

Abstract: An anti-lumping agent for use with expandable polystyrene beads is disclosed. The expandable polystyrene beads comprise a styrene or styrene derivative polymer in combination with a blowing agent. Typical blowing agents are C3-C6 hydrocarbons, with pentane being especially preferred. The anti-lumping agents include block copolymers formed from blocks of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Preferably, the copolymers have a number average molecular weight of from about 4,000 to 15,000, and a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance number of from about 16 to 29. The anti-lumping agents significantly reduce the lumping potential of the expandable polystyrene beads, especially when they are expanded to low densities of from about 1.5 to 0.75 lbs. per cubic foot, and more preferably to densities of from about 1.2 to 0.85.

Abstract: An anti-lumping agent for use with expandable polystyrene beads is disclosed. The expandable polystyrene beads comprise a styrene or styrene derivative polymer in combination with a blowing agent. Typical blowing agents are C3-C6 hydrocarbons, with pentane being especially preferred. The anti-lumping agents include block copolymers formed from blocks of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Preferably, the copolymers have a number average molecular weight of from about 4,000 to 15,000, and a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance number of from about 16 to 29. The anti-lumping agents significantly reduce the lumping potential of the expandable polystyrene beads, especially when they are expanded to low densities of from about 1.5 to 0.75 lbs. per cubic foot, and more preferably to densities of from about 1.2 to 0.85.