Cellular glass insulation is manufactured from recycled glass blended with silica sand, resulting in a highly durable material with a closed-cell structure. This design effectively resists moisture, vapour diffusion, and environmental influences, making it well-suited for various building applications.
Its composition exceeds 99% glass oxides, with mineral additives incorporated to enhance processing and overall performance. The insulation maintains a consistent thermal conductivity across a wide temperature spectrum, from cold to hot environments, ensuring reliable thermal performance over time.
Notably, cellular glass offers long-lasting insulation properties, supported by its high compressive strength. These qualities make it a practical choice for both new build and renovation projects, especially where durability and moisture resistance are priorities.
For those seeking a more detailed understanding, further information includes insights into the specific manufacturing processes and typical practical applications of cellular glass insulation.
Composition and Manufacturing Process
Cellular glass insulation is primarily made from recycled glass, known as cullet, combined with silica sand. Both materials are sourced locally to manufacturing facilities to support sustainability and ensure supply chain traceability.
More than 99% of its composition consists of glass oxides, which form the fundamental glass matrix. This high purity level contributes to its excellent durability and thermal properties. Mineral substances and natural additives are incorporated to enhance properties and optimise processing.
During production, crushed or granulated glass is mixed with a chemical foaming agent, such as calcium carbonate or carbon-based compounds. When heated to high temperatures, these agents decompose and release gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂). The decomposition process occurs at temperatures typically around 900°C, ensuring a controlled and consistent foaming action. This process creates millions of tiny, sealed air pockets within the softened glass.
The mixture then expands, foams, and gradually cools into a lightweight, cellular structure with a controlled bubble size. The resulting rigid and durable insulation material offers excellent thermal performance and stability in a variety of applications.
Physical and Thermal Properties
The thermal conductivity of cellular glass insulation remains notably stable throughout its service life. This stability is primarily due to its closed-cell structure, which effectively prevents moisture ingress and vapour diffusion that could otherwise compromise its insulating performance. The material’s hermetic sealed glass cells contribute significantly to this resistance, ensuring consistent insulation quality over time. Typically, its thermal conductivity ranges from 0.02 to 0.03 W/(m·K) at room temperature, depending on its density and grade. Cellular glass performs efficiently across a wide temperature range, from -268°C to +482°C, making it suitable for both hot and cold environments. Its rigid, closed-cell configuration prevents internal moisture build-up, ensuring consistent thermal performance and resistance to thermal cycling and temperature fluctuations. Additionally, the material exhibits excellent dimensional stability, avoiding shrinkage, swelling, warping, or creep during use. This ensures long-term reliability of its insulation properties across various industrial applications.
Applications and Durability
Cellular glass insulation is widely utilised across various building and industrial sectors in the UK due to its exceptional durability and versatile properties.
It’s frequently employed in commercial roofing systems to deliver thermal resistance and maintain structural stability under load, supporting heavy traffic and load-bearing requirements. Its resistance to moisture, chemicals, and environmental factors guarantees long-term performance, with a proven lifespan of 50 to 100 years.
Moreover, cellular glass can withstand severe temperature fluctuations without degradation, making it ideal for insulating chilled water pipes, liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipelines, and hot oil lines. This ensures safety and operational efficiency in challenging conditions. Effective over a temperature range from -450°F to 900°F Additionally, cellular glass functions effectively as fireproof panels, structural fill, and drainage layers in green roofs.
Thanks to its high compressive strength, stability, and eco-friendly manufacturing processes, cellular glass supports sustainable construction practices.
It remains a reliable choice for enduring and environmentally responsible insulation solutions in the UK.
Conclusion
Cellular glass insulation offers a durable, fire-resistant material with excellent thermal insulation properties, making it suitable for a wide range of construction applications. Its manufacturing process ensures stability and long-term performance, while its physical properties resist environmental stresses. Due to its chemical stability and low moisture absorption, it maintains its efficiency over time. Overall, cellular glass provides a reliable, high-performance solution that enhances energy efficiency and safety in building insulation systems.