In the fields of building HVAC and industrial equipment insulation, rubber and plastic insulation materials are widely used due to their closed-cell structure, good flexibility, and ease of construction. Among them, rubber and plastic boards and pipes are the two most common product forms. Although they are similar in raw materials and basic properties, there are still significant differences in structural forms, application scenarios, and construction methods. Proper differentiation and selection can help improve the overall effect of the insulation system.

Firstly, in terms of product form and structure, rubber and plastic boards are flat materials, usually supplied in sheet or roll form, with a wide range of thickness and size options, suitable for large-area installation. Rubber and plastic pipes, on the other hand, are prefabricated pipe shell structures, formed according to different pipe diameters, with the inner diameter matching the size of the insulated pipe. During installation, they can be directly fitted onto the outer surface of the pipe, resulting in a more standardized structure.

Secondly, in terms of application scope, rubber and plastic boards are more versatile and are commonly used for insulation of air ducts, equipment shells, water tanks, and irregularly shaped structures. For parts with irregular cross-sections or significant dimensional variations, rubber and plastic boards are easier to cut and splice. Rubber and plastic pipes are mainly used in circular piping systems such as hot and cold water pipes and air conditioning refrigerant pipes. They can quickly form a continuous insulation layer, reducing on-site processing work.

Third, there are significant differences in construction methods. Rubber and plastic boards require on-site measurement, cutting, and pasting, demanding a high level of skill from construction workers. The quality of joint treatment directly affects the system's sealing performance. Rubber and plastic pipes are mostly longitudinally open or pre-sealed structures, simplifying the installation process. Only bonding and sealing of the joints are required, resulting in higher construction efficiency and making them suitable for projects with concentrated piping and standardized specifications.

Fourth, regarding system integrity and sealing performance, rubber and plastic pipes, being integrally formed, have relatively fewer joints, which is more conducive to maintaining the continuity and airtightness of the insulation layer, helping to reduce the risk of condensation. When rubber and plastic boards are laid over large areas, there are more joints. If the adhesive is not used correctly or the construction is not done properly, potential water vapor penetration channels may form, requiring close control during construction management.

Fifth, from the perspective of material utilization and economy, rubber-plastic boards have a higher material utilization rate in irregular structures and non-standard size applications, reducing waste. Rubber-plastic pipes, in standard diameter systems, offer advantages in overall construction and labor costs due to their high specification matching degree. When selecting materials for a project, a comprehensive evaluation should be conducted considering the project scale, pipe diameter type, and construction period.

Generally speaking, rubber-plastic boards and rubber-plastic pipes do not differ fundamentally in material properties, but they differ in their shape, applicable locations, and construction characteristics. Appropriate selection of product form is key to ensuring the construction quality, operational stability, and economy of rubber-plastic insulation systems. In practical projects, rubber-plastic boards and rubber-plastic pipes are often used in combination to meet the insulation needs of different locations and achieve optimized design of the overall system.