Glaston and Corning Inc. partner to achieve ultra-thin architectural glass processing
Glaston developed a new fabrication method suitable to install thin glass into triple insulating glass units.
Regulation drives use of thin triples
The construction industry’s tightening regulations for energy efficiency demands more from the architectural segment, say officials. When older double insulating glass unit (IGU) performance is no longer enough to meet energy efficiency requirements, triple and quadruple IGUs are needed. Triple IGUs often cannot be used to replace double IGUs in old buildings because the width of the triple IGU doesn’t fit into the existing window frame.
With Glaston’s thermoplastic spacer, TPS, technology, customers can produce triple IGUs using thin glass. The use of traditional soda lime glass as the middle pane in a triple IGU can be replaced with glass available in 0.5 millimeter thickness, like Corning ATG Glass. Corning ATG Glass was developed by Corning Inc. and is specifically designed for architectural applications. It can be utilized in buildings where thin, lightweight, thermal-efficient, and damage-resistant features are required, say company officials.
The final thin glass triple insulating glass product is similar to a standard double IGU in overall thickness but has the performance of a standard triple IGU with less weight and frame support needed, say officials. This makes thin triple IGUs featuring ATG Glass well-suited for retrofitting existing double IGUs. In addition to increased light transmission and energy efficiency, thinner glass also uses less material.
What company leadership says
“By bringing together our ultra-thin Corning ATG Glass and Glaston’s extensive experience in glass processing technology, our customers now have a turnkey solution for producing thin triple and quadruple IGUs,” says Ron Verkleeren, senior vice president, Corning Emerging Innovations Group. “Corning's commitment to bringing cutting edge innovations to the architectural segment through its collaboration with Glaston provides a great opportunity for us to broaden our current and future product offerings.”
“Sustainability is high on our strategic agenda, and it is great that our technology is enabling further improvements in the energy efficiency of buildings, old and new. Thin triple IGUs, in a variety of shapes and sizes, have all the benefits of high-performance glazing: energy efficiency with high insulation, more light, slimmer and lighter packaging, less weight and material needed. Our development of the TPS process for thin glass follows Glaston’s long history of providing “first-of-its-kind” market solutions and has already been well received by customers,” says Sasu Koivumäki, chief sales officer at Glaston Corp.
