The relationship between the performance characteristics (e.g., thermal conductivity, specific density, and compressive strength) of a peat heat-insulating composite and its chemical composition has been established. It has also been experimentally proven that high-lying peat and limestone from the Vologda Oblast deposits correspond in chemical composition and structural features to the requirements for producing heat-insulating materials (HIM3). Composite samples with different chemical compositions were obtained under laboratory conditions. To increase the mechanical strength and setting speed when collecting samples, a stage of peat steaming with water vapor and carbon dioxide was provided. HIM testing using modern analytical methods has proven a relationship exists between the content of high-lying peat, quicklime in samples, and their performance characteristics. The optimal chemical composition for obtaining composites was selected. High-lying peat with a moisture content of 30.0% after steaming and quicklime content of 29.0% ensured the production of a composite with the following indicators: thermal conductivity of 0.041 W/m-°C; average density of 259 kg/m3; compressive strength of 3.02 MPa; and toxicity index of less than 0.5. The established dependence enables simulation of the technological process and obtains materials with the desired properties.
