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Foam glass

Description

Granulated (cellular) foam glass is a thermal and acoustic insulation material with a porous structure consisting of closed glass cells filled with gas. It is produced by sintering finely ground glass with a special foaming agent at temperatures above 800 °C, which gives the material a structure resembling pumice.

Foam glass combines low thermal conductivity, high strength at relatively low density, absolute non-combustibility, moisture resistance, chemical and biological stability, environmental safety and exceptional durability.

Advantages

  • Exceptionally low thermal conductivity (0.059–0.061 W/(m·K)) in a loose-fill state — ensures effective heat retention even with a thin insulation layer.
  • Optimal granule strength (0.5–1.5 MPa, cylinder crushing method) at a bulk density of only 110–180 kg/m³ — allows lightweight yet load-bearing thermal insulation layers.
  • Absolute fire safety — the material is classified as non-combustible (class A1 according to EN 13501-1), does not ignite, emits no gases or vapours when heated, and retains its working properties in the range from -200 °C to +600 °C.
  • Hydrophobic granules with drainage effect — water absorption of the closed cells under full immersion does not exceed 9% (moisture enters only the damaged cells of the surface layer), while the void space between granules ensures unimpeded vapour and condensate removal.
  • Chemical and biological resistance — foam glass is unaffected by most reagents, does not rot, does not decompose, and does not attract rodents.
  • Environmental safety and durability — its chemical composition is identical to ordinary glass; it neither forms nor releases harmful substances, and its strength, frost resistance and dimensional stability are maintained over the entire service life of the structure.

Technical Specifications

ParameterValue
Thermal conductivity (loose fill)0.059–0.061 W/(m·K)
Strength (cylinder crushing)0.5–1.5 MPa (depending on fraction)
Bulk density110–180 kg/m³
Water absorption (full immersion)≤ 9%
Operating temperature range-200 °C to +600 °C
Production temperature> 800 °C
FlammabilityNon-combustible, class A1 (EN 13501-1)
Chemical resistanceResistant to most reagents
Biological resistanceDoes not rot, does not attract rodents
Environmental safetyChemically inert, safe for health and the environment

Applications

  • Thermal and acoustic insulation of building envelopes, roofs, floors and foundations in civil and industrial construction.
  • Insulation of underground and hydraulic structures requiring moisture resistance and non-combustibility.
  • Insulation of pipelines and process equipment operating over a wide temperature range.
  • Lightweight fill for levelling surfaces and creating slopes.
  • Production of lightweight concretes and plaster mixes with improved thermal insulation properties.

FAQ

It is a cellular material made from finely ground glass and a foaming agent, sintered at temperatures above 800 °C. This creates closed glass pores filled with gas, which give the material its unique thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

The foam glass granules themselves are hydrophobic — water absorption even under full immersion does not exceed 9%, and moisture accumulates only in the damaged cells of the surface layer. The vapour permeability of the loose-fill layer is provided not by the granules (which are vapour-impermeable due to their closed pores) but by the voids between them. This allows the fill to act as an effective drainage layer, removing vapour and condensate without trapping moisture inside the building structure.

Yes, it is one of the safest materials in terms of fire. Foam glass is classified as a non-combustible material of class A1 according to EN 13501-1, does not ignite, emits no toxic gases when heated, and retains its working characteristics in the range from -200 °C to +600 °C.

No. The material is biologically stable: it does not rot, does not serve as food or shelter for rodents and insects, and does not support the growth of fungi or mould, making it ideal for long-term insulation without additional protection.