Production of wall panels reinforced with glass fiber and polyester fabric and investigation of thermal insulation performance

This study focuses on the production of composite panels suitable for rapid installation for protecting, insulating, and cladding the facades of architectural structures and living spaces. The panels are composed of polyester fabric, polyester resin, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, and fiberglass reinforcement components. By layering these components of varying thicknesses in metal molds with designated waiting times, single-piece panels measuring 20 cm x 30 cm with variable thicknesses were produced. The edges of the panels were designed to allow for interlocking assembly while maintaining the integrity of the wall surface. To evaluate the thermal performance of two distinct panel types, which are hollow and reinforced with insulation material, computer-aided simulation software (SolidWorks 2020 Steady-State Thermal) was utilized to compare heat transfer conditions. The steady-state thermal analysis revealed that the panel achieved a total thermal resistance of 0.2425 m²K/W with an overall heat transfer coefficient of U = 4.12 W/m²K. Under an external condition of − 10 °C and an internal condition of 20 °C, the heat flux through the panel was calculated as approximately 124 W/m². The centrally positioned glass fiber layer, with a thermal resistance of 0.0286 m²K/W, accounted for approximately 39% of the total panel resistance, demonstrating its dominant role in insulation. Increasing the glass fiber thickness from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm reduced heat loss from 36.17 W to 21.66 W, corresponding to a 40% reduction. Comparative results were presented for the temperature distributions across each composite panel section and the total amount of heat transfer. The incorporation of fiberglass and additional insulation materials significantly reduced heat transfer, and the use of fabric enhanced the material’s flexibility and strength. The optimal thermal distribution simulation outcomes were achieved with a fiber layer arranged in the center of the panel design without additional insulation material. This modeling approach enables the production of panels with customizable dimensions, configurable internal architecture (hollow or insulation-filled), and interlocking edge geometry, offering versatility beyond standard prefabricated systems while maintaining thermal efficiency and structural integrity.