Characterization of New Glass Coated Foam Glass Insulating Tiles by Standard Tests

This article describes attempts to characterize by standardized tests of tile materials used in the construction area the performance-based properties of foamed glass samples with novel glass coatings. New glass coated foam glass (Foamglas®) insulating tiles have been tested by several standard tests (UNI Iso, ASTM) to define their suitability for energy saving buildings: impact tests, thermal shock resistance, wear resistance, water absorption, frost resistance, resistance to stains. Except for impact tests, glass coated foam glass (Foamglas®) satisfied all the requirements above, resulting to be thermal shock resistant, according to Uni Iso 10545-9 (Al spheres); effective to reduce the pristine Foamglas® surface water absorption, according to Uni En 1609:1999 and 12087:1999; frost resistant, according to Uni Iso 10545-12 and class 5 towards olive oil, according to Uni Iso 10545-14. Wear tests and hot water corrosion behavior tests have been done on the proposed coating and on a commercial soda-lime glass: the glass coated foam glass resulted to be suitable where corrosion and wear resistance are not a concern.