Mar. 23, 2011, the Xinjiang Hi-tech research and development project “R&D of composite energy saving heat-insulating materials based on vermiculite”, which was accomplished by XTIPC, successfully passed the acceptance check held by the Department of Science and Technology of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

This project mainly focused on the research of high-value utilization of vermiculite, which is one of the predominant non-metal mineral resources of Xinjiang. The research work covers the preparation method of expanded vermiculite and its expansion mechanism，the synthesis of vermiculite/polystyrene nanocomposite material with high thermal and mechanical property, and the preparation of heat-insulating vermiculite board with the advancement of low water-uptake，high mechanical strength, environment-friendly and totally non-combustible. Based on the above-mentioned work, and with the cooperation of local company, expanded ermiculite/XPS composite energy saving heat-insulating board was successfully fabricated, which can efficiently improve the fire resistant capability of organic based XPS. And also, an experimental platform for the comprehensive application research of vermiculite was established, including four functional units, i.e. materials treatment, modification, functional material synthesis and test& characterization. During this project, four China invention patents were applied, three research papers were published.

Prof. Zhaoyang Chen, the project leader, gave a comprehensive report to the experts group of this acceptance-check, and answered the experts’ questions. The experts group agreed unanimously that the project goal were totally accomplished and agree to the acceptance.