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From insulating glass processing: 12 questions to let you know the insulating glass inert gas.

1. What are the inert gases used to fill insulating glass?

The inert gases used in the processing of insulating glass include argon, krypton, xenon, etc. These three inert gases have the characteristics of low thermal conductivity, stable properties, and relatively easy access. Among them, in the production and processing of insulating glass, argon is the most common, followed by krypton.

2. What is the main function of insulating glass filled with argon and other gases?

The insulating glass needs to be filled with inert gas, the main function is to improve the thermal insulation performance of insulating glass. Compared with ordinary air, the heat transfer coefficient (K value) of insulating glass filled with inert gas is increased by about 5%-10%.

3. Why does argon account for the most in the filling process?

Because argon is an inert gas, the acquisition process is relatively easy and the acquisition cost is relatively low. At the same time, although the performance of argon gas is not as good as that of krypton gas or xenon gas, in the actual filling process of insulating glass gas, the performance effect gap is small. Considering the problem of the "escape rate" of inert gas, argon gas filling is the most cost-effective.

4. How much does it cost to fill the insulating glass with argon?

Generally speaking, the filling of insulating glass with inert gas is an addition to glass deep processing, and a small number of high-end glass curtain wall products or glass doors and windows will be processed and produced as a standard configuration. As an add-on, the price of argon gas is roughly around 5 USD-8 USD/㎡. Of course, according to the actual situation of glass deep-processing enterprises, considering the production cost, the actual price will be determined by using a fully automatic insulating glass plate pressing and argon gas filling production line or manual insulating glass inflating equipment. There are increases and decreases.

5. The insulating glass is filled with gases such as argon, xenon, and krypton. Is the performance of different inert gases the same?

That is different, the type of inflation and gas concentration directly affects the thermal insulation performance of insulating glass. From the gas type: energy-saving effect of xenon> krypton> argon, from the gas concentration: the higher the gas concentration in the insulating glass layer, the better the energy-saving performance of the insulating glass.

6. Is the concentration of gas-filled in insulating glass different for different glass deep processing manufacturers?

Yes, the initial inert gas content of insulating glass should generally not be lower than 85%-90%, but the inflation specification is relatively vague, and it is difficult to detect the inflation concentration. Different glass deep-processing enterprises may have different initial inert gas content. Enterprises may even have insufficient content (such as 60%, 70%)

Figure 1 The argon gas-filled testing of insulating glass producing 1

Figure 1 The argon gas-filled testing of insulating glass producing 1

7. Will the inert gas filled with insulating glass fail within a period after filling?

It will fail. The sealing layer of insulating glass is not 100% absolute sealing. For a long time, when the concentration of rare gas is reduced to about 50%-60%, the energy-saving effect can be ignored, so it will fail.

8. What range should the inert gas escape rate of insulating glass be controlled within?

Generally speaking, the inert gas emission rate of insulating glass is determined by the engineering degree of glass deep processing, and the material and quality of the sealant used for insulating glass. Glass deep processing enterprises with good product quality can achieve an annual emission rate of ≤1%. Glass deep processing enterprises with lower quality may run out of inert gas in insulating glass in two to three years.

Figure 2 The inert gas emission rate testing of insulating glass 1

Figure 2 The inert gas emission rate testing of insulating glass 1

9. What details should I know when purchasing inert gas?

One is to understand the qualifications of glass deep-processing enterprises (ask for the manufacturer's name/ask for workshop photos/production videos/relevant production qualification certificates, etc.); Annual fugitive rate/quality assurance of insulating glass, etc.); Generally speaking, glass deep-processing enterprises can explain in detail or dare to give quality assurance, and they can purchase with confidence in high probability.

10. I am a manufacturer of insulating glass processing actually, when should I charge the production equipment with inert gas?

When considering the enhancement of the thermal insulation performance of doors and windows/glass, it can be added as appropriate. From the perspective of cost performance, Jinan LIJIANG Glass thinks that it is not cost-effective for single insulating glass to be inflated with inert gas, and it is recommended to add single/double silver Low-E insulating glass and above glass configurations.

11. Can be filling inert gas during the processing of insulating glass improve the sound insulation effect of the glass?

Jinan LIJIANG Glass has not found relevant reliable theories or data to support it, and in practical applications, it has not felt that "the insulating glass is filled with inert gas, and the sound insulation effect will be better". Therefore, Jinan LIJIANG Glass believes that filling the insulating glass with inert gas during processing is of little significance. To improve the sound insulation effect of the glass, it is necessary to start with the thickness and configuration of the glass.

12. When processing large-format insulating glass, must inert gas be filled? 

Will ordinary air cause systemic suction problems for large-format insulating glass?Filling the insulating glass with an inert gas such as argon has no direct relationship with preventing the phenomenon of internal suction of large-scale insulating glass. Inflating affects the glass suction sheet, but "insulating glass filled with argon" generally means that the glass is assembled after the glass is assembled. Filling with air or inert gas, if it specifically refers to filling with argon when the insulating glass is laminated, it does not matter which inert gas is used for filling.


For more information about Jinan LIJIANG Glass insulating glass processing equipment and insulating glass processing accessories, please click here to learn more. 

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