Foamglas Introduces Natural Foam Glass Insulation

Glass was initially incorporated into structures for light transmission, but with the Industrial Revolution, glass reached a completely different dimension. Particularly from the second half of the 20th century onwards, glass became an industrial product used for various purposes in buildings and many other fields. Foamglas glass foam is produced through a process in which glass is melted at high temperature, allowed to cool, the resulting material is converted to fine powder, and then glass and carbon foam in a cellular furnace, creating a material composed of millions of sealed, air-filled cells. Due to this structure, it has low weight and provides high insulation performance. The thermal conductivity coefficient of Foamglas glass foam is between 0.038 - 0.045 W/mK. It can be used between 273 and 485°C, is vapor-impermeable and does not absorb water. The most important characteristic of Foamglas glass foam is its high compressive strength. It is produced to withstand pressure up to 8800 kPa. Because it is an inorganic material, it provides risk-free insulation particularly in ground and soil. It does not allow animal nesting, growth or seed germination. For this reason, it is particularly preferred in underground thermal insulation applications. The absence of binder materials in the production of Foamglas glass foam and the absence of toxic gases result in its classification as an ecological product.

Properties of Foamglas

Water-impermeable: Due to its glass content, it is water-impermeable. It does not absorb moisture and does not swell. It does not lose its water-impermeability for many years. Non-combustible: Fire behavior is classified as A1 class according to EN 13501. There is no chimney effect in case of fire. Vapor-impermeable: Due to its air-sealed glass cell structure, it is vapor-impermeable. Acid Resistance: Due to glass's resistance to acids, it is resistant to acids and organic solvents. Compressive Strength: Due to its cellular nature, it has extraordinary compressive strength with minimal deformation even under prolonged loads. Dimensional Stability: Since glass does not change shape in any way, it is dimensionally stable. Its low expansion coefficient is close to steel and concrete. Pest-resistant: Because it is inorganic, it does not decompose and does not provide a habitat for pests. It provides risk-free insulation in soil and ground. It does not allow animal nesting, growth or seed germination. Ease of Application: Because it exists in powder form in its structure, application is easy. It can be cut to desired dimensions with simple tools such as a saw or handsaw. Ecological: It contains glass and carbon. It does not contain oil and chemical substances that harm the environment. Furthermore, after years of use in thermal insulation, it can be used repeatedly. Because it can be recycled, it is ecologically responsible. Foamglas glass foam is used in many fields with different qualities.

These areas can be grouped under two main headings;

• Use of Foamglas glass foam in structural applications, • Use of Foamglas glass foam in industrial applications. Use of Foamglas Glass Foam in Structural Applications Foamglas has properties that meet even the most demanding requirements of building physics. With its airtight cell structure that prevents water and vapor penetration, as well as many other properties, there are numerous application areas in buildings. The application areas in buildings can be listed as follows: • Roofs Flat roofs, Metal and specially shaped roofs Green roofs Roof car parks • Facades • Airport runways • Interior spaces • High-humidity spaces • Underground walls • Ground insulation Foamglas glass foam used in structural applications is applied in three different board types. These board types can be listed as follows Other Special Types Foamglas glass foam fully meets the desired performance in buildings. Fundamentally, Foamglas glass foam used on roofs and facades stands out among other insulation materials through its long-term durability and environmentally conscious approach.

Use of Foamglas Glass Foam in Industrial Applications

Because Foamglas glass foam is a non-combustible and water vapor-impermeable insulation material, it addresses safety and performance challenges in industrial applications. Foamglas glass foam has been subjected to national and international tests and has received the necessary approvals. Depending on the thickness and material usage, Foamglas glass foam provides fire resistance of up to two hours in transition to pipe walls. Properties such as resistance to damage at different temperature ranges (-273 to 485°C), long-term performance, non-combustibility, corrosion resistance, dimensional stability, and high compressive strength possessed by Foamglas glass foam used in industrial applications have enabled its use in the insulation of materials used in industrial applications. Foamglas glass foam has various application areas in industrial settings. The application areas can be listed as follows: • Cold water pipes • Cryogenic / cold pipes and equipment • High-temperature pipes and equipment • Underground pipes • Vertical storage tanks • Low-temperature storage spheres • Liquefied gas tanks (Foamglas HLB) • Fire suppression • Hot oil and asphalt storage tanks • Liquid heat transfer systems • Chemical processing systems • Hydrocarbon processing systems Foamglas glass foam insulation blocks are pressed onto steel rods using a special adhesive at high temperature. These rods are produced for use in all types of industrial insulation applications such as pipes, tanks, vessels, flanges and valves. Although it is not known when glass was first produced, Foamglas glass foam represents the final form glass has reached with the Industrial Revolution through its nature-compatible composition. Hande Eroğlu / Teknosel Teknolojik Yapı Ürünleri - Trade and Marketing Manager