Properties and advantages
Thermal conductivity
Foam glass has very low thermal conductivity due to its cellular structure with large number of cells filled with air. Therefore thermal conductivity coefficient (λ) of the foam glass lies within the range of 0,059-0,061 W / m K.
High strength and low density
Due to air filled cellular structure foam glass has very low density of 100-190 kg/m3 and resistance to compression lies in a range from 0.45-0.55MPa. Foam glass strength characteristics are not being affected by water and remain constant over the life time.
Fire resistance
Foam glass is produced at temperatures above +800 ° C. Chemical structure of material is identical to foamed silicate glass, meaning that foam glass is absolutely fire resistant and it does not emit any gases when being heated. Foam glass can be used at temperatures between -200 ° C and up to +600 ° C.
Water absorption and vapor conductivity
Foam glass granules are hydroscopic due to air filled closed cellular structure preventing moisture going inside the material. The water absorption does not exceed 5% of material’s total weight even if it will be fully submerged into water. Water does not influence the insulation and strength properties of foam glass over the life time. Cellular structure also makes foam glass granules vapor resistant, however foam glass is a bulky material made of a number of separated granules making vapour conductivity possible, meaning that vapor can naturally leave the building through the layer of insulation material.
Chemical and biological resistance
Foam glass is resistant to all organic and non-organic chemical reagents. That explains why laboratories use glass made containers for different chemical substances. The only exception would be fluorine hydrogen acid that is used to melt glass. Foam glass is resistant to biological impact, it does not decompose or decay. Foam glass is out of interest for rodents because it is non-organic material, none of known biological microorganism has the possibility to exist in it.
Environmental safety
Foam glass is non-organic material with chemical structure identical to its parent raw material — ordinary glass. High chemical and biological resistance and absence of harmful compounds means complete environmental and health safety.
Durability
Sealed cellular structure makes foam glass very durable material that retains its original size dimensions throughout the life span. Foam glass is resistant to cold, moisture and primary insulating. The strength characteristics remain on the same level throughout the life of the building.
Combination of all above mentioned physical characteristics makes it possible to conclude that foam glass is universal insulating material with very low coefficient of thermal conductivity, fire resistant, reluctant to chemicals reagents, moisture and cold. Foam glass is durable and environment friendly material with unlimited life span.