Advantages of foam glass

Advantages of foam glass

Durability.
The warranty period of foam glass blocks with preservation of the values ​​of the physical characteristics of the material is the same as building maintenance and more than 100 years.

Foam glass is not subject to aging , as opposed to its unique properties active factors manifesting itself over time :
• oxidation – the active oxygen contained in the atmosphere does not affect the foam glass due to the fact that this material is higher oxides of silicon, calcium , sodium, magnesium, aluminum ;
• erosion – as foam glass has no soluble constituents in their structure , do not
is dissolved and the washout of the water ;
• temperature changes – foam glass has a very low coefficient of linear thermal expansion , which allows no damage to the structure of the material to carry daily and annual variations in temperature ;
• freezing of water – water resistance foam glass allows it for a long time to prevent the formation of ice, to provide full protection against corrosion and excellent temperature regulation ;
• deformation – non-deformable foam glass and is very durable for its density of the material , which eliminates the possibility of shrinkage , sagging, hunching, and other effects of prolonged exposure to the forces of gravity and mechanical strength ;
• Biological Activity forms – the foamed glass has a high resistance to biological forms , whereby it does not harm the material structure .
Experimental research facilities, insulated with foam glass for more than 50 years ago , showed no significant changes in the structure of foamed glass .

Strength.

Foam glass is strong enough insulating material . Compressive strength of foam glass is several times higher than that of the foam and fibrous materials . For construction is very important property because the higher compressive strength , the material shrinks less affected by external influences . At the same time compressing insulating material increases its thermal conductivity and reduce the thermal barrier properties of the construction .

Foam glass is unique in that it is absolutely incompressible material . Moreover , less durable than foam glass , insulation material and requires anchoring pin attachment to the supporting structure facilities thereby increasing the number of foreign inclusions of high heat , creating a more ” cold bridges ” . Foam glass can carry some of the load from its own physical properties , allowing in some cases not to apply additional metal fixtures that reduce resistance to heat insulation layer .

Stability of block sizes.

Foam glass is composed entirely of glass cells and, therefore, does not shrink and does not change with time the geometric dimensions of building structures under the weight of the operational stresses . This allows the continued serviceability features thermal insulation.

The presence of this factor is important as materials, dimensions, which are unstable due to thermal expansion / contraction or shrinkage during operation may cause damage to the waterproofing and finishing layer , to form ” cold joints ” because shrinkage sagging or collapse during cooling.

Foam glass has a coefficient of linear expansion , comparable to the coefficient of thermal linear expansion of the materials that make up the classic load-bearing structures : concrete , steel, masonry made ​​of ceramic or sand-lime brick . This ensures the stability of the closeness of the size of foam glass , stacked or mounted on a steel or concrete.

Stability of physical parameters.

Foam glass is a material consisting of a closed hexagonal and spherical , with small ( less than a micron ) holes in the walls of cells. Therefore, during operation does not change the parameters of the blocks of foam glass , the thermal conductivity , strength , resilience , shape etc.
Factor in maintaining the properties of insulation material over time is particularly important in the operation of buildings and structures due to unavailability of material after completion of the work .

Actuality maintain the original values ​​of insulation during the operation of the building has a modern construction of paramount importance both because of increased requirements for any operational qualities of the building, and because of the complexity of the architectural design of the building, where the cost of repair and replacement of lost their insulation properties comparable to the costs of construction and building .

Resistance to chemical and biological attack .
Glass, which consists of foam glass does not break down chemicals (except hydrofluoric acid ), is not a breeding ground for mold , mildew and microorganisms , plant roots will not be damaged .
Resistance to chemical and biological attack is especially important when using foam glass in an enclosed , unventilated space of the roof , walls , basement and foundation. The lack of organics is a proven avoid situations related to the destruction and degradation of insulation material under the influence of biologically active environment.

Foam glass , among other things , a very good abrasive . At the same time, the nature has not yet created any biological form capable of sharpening abrasives without rapid loss of natural adaptations. This feature is used in the active cellular glass thermal performance silos , industrial, food coolers, warehouses, since the use of foam glass , in addition to the heat-shielding layer , it is possible to create a reliable barrier against pests.

Fire protection and fire resistance.

Foam glass is non-combustible material not containing oxidizing components. Technology of production of foamed glass is such that the finished product is the result of manufacturing
in oven at a temperature close to 1000 ° C, so when heated to high temperatures foamglass it melts only as ordinary glass , no emission of toxic gases or vapors. This factor is important for fire properties of the structure.

Moisture resistance , water resistance and non-hygroscopicity .
Since the foam glass consists of closed ( not sealed ) cells , it almost does not absorb moisture and is moisture , and thus creates an additional gidrobarer . If damaged waterproofing prevents propagation of water in vertical and horizontal direction.

Environmental cleanliness and sanitary safety .
Environmental and sanitary safety glass foam insulation allows the envelope , not only for rooms that require high purity of the air ( the building of educational and medical supplies , sports facilities , museums , high-tech production, etc. ), but also for buildings with special sanitary hygienic requirements (food and pharmaceutical industry , baths and saunas , swimming pools , cafes, restaurants, canteens , etc.).

Furthermore, due to the presence of micro bubbles in the walls made ​​of it constructions have not only good heat insulation, but also the ability to ” breathe.”
This is especially important to create a comfortable microclimate in residential areas.