Cellular Glass Insulation
Cellular glass insulation is an inorganic and fireproof material with excellent water resistance and resistance to vapor infiltration, protecting from moisture intrusion into buildings that would otherwise compromise its integrity and cause irreparable damage. The Interesting Info about commercial glazing refurbishment.
Insulation for buildings made of recycled glass cullet is composed of powdered recycled glass cullet combined with a foaming agent and heated to 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit before it is placed into a furnace for further processing into an aggregate-sized material with millions of tiny hermetically sealed air cells.
Noncombustible
Cellular glass insulation is an inorganic thermal insulation material composed of millions of completely sealed, insulating glass cells bonded wholly and together airtight. As it contains no propellants or flame retardants that deplete ozone levels, cellular glass insulation offers a safe alternative to foamed plastic insulation and has high compressive strength. Furthermore, its closed-cell structure prevents internal condensation while simultaneously absorbing liquid water molecules, making this an excellent material choice for green roof applications where water retention is critical to their performance.
Cellular glass is created through the chemical reaction between crushed recycled glass and limestone or carbon at high temperatures in special furnaces, producing various benefits applicable across several building applications such as warm and inverted flat roofs, car and lorry decks, industrial lining projects, and more. Cellular glass offers many advantages compared to other building materials in terms of insulation performance – it resists rot, is mold and mildew-proof-proof, and offers safe health alternatives while supporting plant growth or containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Cellular glass insulation is fireproof and is ideal for projects requiring strict fire codes to meet. Furthermore, its moisture-proof construction offers long-term solutions for roof re-roofing or refurbishment projects, as well as helping the environment by decreasing waste that ends up in landfills.
Cellular glass insulation is an excellent option for heat transfer insulation applications as it’s both odorless and water resistant, providing ideal conditions for heat transfer. Furthermore, its inorganic closed-cell structure prevents organic leaks into its closed-cell system from absorption, which would otherwise result in accidental explosions or contamination of its insulation material.
Non-absorptive
Cellular glass insulation is an inert and watertight insulation material designed not to foster microorganism and fungal growth, making it suitable for applications where moisture, corrosion, and high temperatures may be an issue. Fire resistance makes cellular glass an attractive choice as well.
Cellular glass’s closed-cell structure is responsible for its insulating properties. Each glass cell contains a gas, creating an impermeable airtight seal between cells that resist vibration-induced damage, making this material suitable for process piping, refrigeration systems/chilled water lines/storage tanks/fire suppression systems, etc.
Easy to install and designed to perform in various conditions, this insulation meets ASTM C552 standards and works well in many states. Resistant to humidity and pests, it does not rot or attract them either – making this insulation highly durable in blocks, curved segments, head segments, or any particular shape form. Furthermore, its compatibility extends across asphalt roofing membranes and hot-applied bitumen membranes for roofing membrane applications.
Eco-friendly materials such as recycled glass insulation use over 60% recycled content and do not contain harmful ozone-depleting flame retardants, gases, or volatile substances – making this insulation material an environmentally sustainable option compared to asbestos materials used traditionally for insulation.
Insulation for commercial and industrial construction projects often uses reflective insulation. It is especially suitable for roofs as it protects them against weather elements that might otherwise seep in through cracks in the structure, while its low fire rating makes it an attractive option for mission-critical systems.
Non-wicking
Insulation is designed to resist heat transfer between locations by trapping millions of tiny air pockets that conduct little heat into its core material surface, giving the insulation more excellent thermal resistance while stopping its movement over time.
Cellular glass insulation has the advantage of being impermeable and non-wicking, protecting from fire, corrosion, and absorption of flammable liquids – features that make it ideal for industrial applications like piping systems, storage tanks, and support structures.
Cellular glass insulation is made of recycled and natural materials, which helps lower its energy use and carbon footprint. Furthermore, its composition makes it resistant to organic solvents and acids; additionally, this insulation can bear heavy loads without suffering damage, making cellular glass an excellent solution for industrial settings where temperatures fluctuate frequently.
Foamed plastic insulations may absorb moisture and be susceptible to degradation over time. Foamed polyester insulations offer unique chemistry and manufacturing processes which make them better options than their foamed plastic counterparts, being fireproof and nearly 100-percent closed-cell materials – critical considerations in facilities handling potentially flammable substances that could “wick” through insulation, providing fuel for an accidental fire outbreak.
FOAMGLAS insulation stands out from PIR (polyisocyanurate) insulation because of its superior water resistance. As opposed to its PIR counterpart, which can only handle certain mediums and atmospheres with relative ease, FOAMGLAS’ ability to resist solvents and acids means it remains non-abrasive – an advantage when used for pipe systems. Furthermore, FOAMGLAS contains no environmentally harmful flame retardants, fuels, or eco-toxic components.
Closed-cell cellular glass insulation not only offers nonflammability but it can also offer many other advantages for industrial applications. Dimensionally stable insulation helps mitigate stress on roof membranes, while cold storage installations benefit from its thermal and sound insulation; its fire protection properties ensure pipes and tanks can also remain non-combustible, while an intumescent coating protects against hydrocarbon and jet fires.
Easy to install
Cellular glass insulation is a fiberglass insulation composed of small cells that make it easy to handle and cut, non-wicking, and offer thermal resistance properties. As such, cellular glass offers cost-effective yet environmentally-friendly solutions in numerous applications, especially LNG projects, as fabrication can occur offsite before shipment directly to the site for final installation, saving time and money by bypassing on-site fabrication and assembly costs. Furthermore, its closed cell structure prevents moisture diffusion, significantly prolonging its service life while decreasing operational costs.
Advances in building technology, materials, and building codes have dramatically enhanced the thermal performance of commercial enclosures, yet models and analysis reveal persistent “weak links.” One such issue is thermal bridging caused by interruptions to insulation systems; Owens Corning has introduced Foamglas structural insulating blocks to help bridge this gap between insulation systems.
Foamglas insulation is composed of recycled glass and sand mixed with mineral substances, creating an inorganic material with millions of completely sealed glass cells to avoid organic leakage and contamination.
Fire protection and acoustic isolation are also provided by foam. Available in blocks, curved segments, elbows, and head segments – foam can also be a lightweight and dimensionally stable material that offers non-combustibility, watertightness, and high compressive strength, providing solutions to various industrial and commercial applications.
Owens Corning Foamglas insulation is tailored to standard masonry unit sizes and installation processes for seamless integration into brick and block walls. Foamglas comes in different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses to meet specific requirements; additionally, Owens Corning also offers an extensive line of accessories, including vapor retarders and joint sealants, for additional security.
Contraction joints may be required in areas of pipe support where direction changes occur or where pipe support rings extend onto flat surfaces, yet system tests demonstrated that up to 80% of contraction was absorbed between insulation sections on horizontal straight piping, thus negating the need for contraction joints on most insulated pipes.
Read Also: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Vinyl Siding for Your Home