reflective insulation

reflective insulation [ri′flek·tiv ‚in·sə′lā·shən]

(materials)

An insulating material used to retard the flow of heat by reflecting heat radiation; usually made of aluminum foil or sheets, although coated steel sheets, aluminized paper, gold and silver surfaces, and refractory metals at higher temperatures are also used.

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reflective insulation

1. Thermal insulation in sheet form which has one or both surfaces faced with a reflective foil of comparatively low heat emissivity; used in building construction with a reflective surface facing an air space, to reduce the transfer of heat (by radiation) across the air space.

2. Thermal insulation whose performance depends on the reduction of transfer of radiant heat across air spaces by the use of one or more surfaces having high thermal reflectance and low emittance.