Before you understand the advantages and disadvantages of foam glass, you should explain what this type of product is. Foam glass is called a new thermal insulation material, although this is not entirely true. It was invented and began to be used in the pre-war time, and the authorship belongs to the Soviet scientist Kaygorodsky II, although this is contested by the Americans. In parallel, they conducted research and achieved certain successes.
The active use of this material in various fields( construction, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, housing and communal services, chemical industry and a number of others) began only recently, with all products mostly imported. This explains the fact that it is called a novelty in our market.
What is foam glass? This material has several names, for example, glass is cellular, foamed. It becomes clear that the main components for production( by analogy with cellular concrete) are silicates and gas generators. The initial mass, heated to a high temperature( of the order of +800 - 1,000 ° C), foams, and with further cooling becomes a durable material with special properties. The market comes in the form of solid samples( sheets, slabs, blocks) or granules.
Since foamed glass is still not widely known to the ordinary consumer, it is not out of place to provide some data indicating the unique properties of this material.
Key characteristics of foam glass
Strength( MPa):
- for bending - from 0,4 to 0,6;
- for compression - from 0,65 to 4.
Density - from 100 to 210 kg / m³.
The temperature range at which the foam glass does not change its properties - from -255 to +485 ºС.Critical, at which destruction begins - from -455 ºС and below.
High performance for thermal insulation, sound absorption and moisture resistance.
Shelf life - from 100 years or more.
Advantages over the analogs are many , and they are written about a lot. But are there any shortcomings in this material, are they significant and useful in the private sector? This is worth considering more.
Foam glass consoles
Low impact strength. This makes the installation process more complicated, as it is necessary to equip a strong protective layer.
Significant weight of products. This disadvantage is associated with the complexity of installing the thermal insulation layer, since in some cases it will be necessary to strengthen the load-bearing elements of the structure. And this - additional costs.
High production cost of , which affects the final price of the products. The raw material itself is relatively cheap, but the complex technology + energy costs( heating to high temperatures) dramatically increase the cost of the goods.
Where the
can be used The high price of the products significantly limits the ability of private traders, but if you take into account all its pluses, as well as related costs( including those related to durability and repair) when using other thermal insulation materials, after calculations it becomes clear that in certainsituations, the costs are justified. Let's consider only some variants of application.
Granules
They can be of various fractions and go on sale in the form of sand, gravel or gravel.
- As an additive in various solutions to increase their characteristics.
- When warming horizontal surfaces in a bulk method( similar to claydite).In this case, the "backfill" layer will need a smaller thickness.
Finished products
- Warming of premises( structures) with special operating conditions. For example, baths, swimming pools, laundries, roofs.
- Finishing of surfaces characterized by complex geometry or large area.
