In building HVAC and industrial insulation projects, rubber and plastic insulation materials are widely used for insulating hot and cold pipes and equipment due to their closed-cell structure, good flexibility, and ease of construction. Rubber and plastic products are typically available in various thicknesses, each with significantly different applicable operating conditions. Appropriately selecting the thickness of the rubber and plastic insulation material is crucial for controlling energy consumption, preventing condensation, and ensuring the long-term stable operation of the system.

Firstly, thinner rubber and plastic insulation materials are suitable for conditions with small temperature differences. They are commonly found in indoor air conditioning ducts, ambient temperature water pipes, or locations with relatively stable ambient temperature and humidity. In these applications, the system's insulation performance requirements are relatively limited; the primary goal is to reduce surface temperature fluctuations and minor heat loss. Choosing a thinner thickness helps reduce material and construction costs while meeting basic usage requirements.

Secondly, medium-thickness rubber and plastic insulation materials are typically used in conventional hot and cold water pipes and air conditioning refrigerant piping systems. In these conditions, there is a certain temperature difference between the medium and the ambient temperature, and the operating time is relatively long, requiring higher standards for continuous insulation and anti-condensation performance. Medium-thickness rubber and plastic insulation offers relatively stable insulation while maintaining ease of construction, making it the most widely used thickness range in building HVAC systems.

Third, thicker rubber and plastic insulation is often used in piping systems operating in low-temperature or high-humidity environments. Examples include air conditioning chilled water mains, chilled water systems, and high-humidity machine rooms and underground spaces. In these conditions, the risk of condensation increases significantly; insufficient thickness can easily lead to surface condensation. Increasing the thickness of the rubber and plastic effectively raises the external surface temperature, reducing the risk of condensation and dripping, and improving system operational safety.

Fourth, under special conditions, the choice of rubber and plastic thickness needs to be adjusted based on the system's operational characteristics. For systems with frequent pipe starts and stops and large temperature fluctuations, the insulation layer needs better buffering capacity. Appropriately increasing the thickness helps mitigate the impact of temperature changes on the system surface, improving overall stability. Furthermore, for outdoor or semi-outdoor applications, the design of the protective layer should be considered comprehensively.

Fifth, from an economic and construction perspective, greater thickness is not always better. While excessive thickness can further reduce heat loss, it may lead to increased material costs, increased construction difficulty, and space constraints. In engineering selection, thermal calculations should be performed, taking into account environmental conditions, operating temperature, and service life, to rationally match the thickness of the rubber and plastic insulation material, avoiding blind selection based on experience.

Generally speaking, different thicknesses of rubber and plastic insulation correspond to different applicable operating conditions, and their selection should be based on factors such as system temperature difference, ambient humidity, operating mode, and construction conditions. Through scientific analysis and rational design, selecting a rubber and plastic thickness that matches the operating conditions is crucial to achieving a balance between system stability and economy while ensuring insulation performance. This is also one of the key technical points in the design of rubber and plastic insulation projects.