Abstract
Quadruple glazing has become a high-end standard in the field of sealed insulating glass units. With more than three glass panes a set of internal heat-related technical problems emerges. Durability, being the most pressing problem, requires careful management of the primary sealant deformation, especially under summer environmental conditions. Namely, the role of the primary seal in insulating glass units is to protect their humidity-sensitive, low-emissivity coatings from moisture and the quality of such protection is a key factor in durability. In this paper, a new methodology is proposed for a feasibility assessment of a new multipane insulating glass unit design, where proper design enables avoidance of excessive strain on the primary seal. It focuses on the calculation of the primary sealant strains, which are nonhomogeneous and multiaxial according to different loading conditions. This approach leads to analytical expressions that enable convenient identification of the critical location on the primary sealant. Finally, feasibility is assessed with the proposed methodology for the newly developed highly insulative six-pane facade unit by means of a comparison of the calculated strain state with the anticipated allowable strains, based on technical practice.
Highlights
In 1865, Stetson patented the first double glass unit (DGU) as an improvement of window glass that effectively reduces heat loss and improves sound protection [1]
The first insulating glass unit (IGU) was single-sealed and was soon improved by a desiccant in order to protect the interior side of the glass panes from condensation
The calculated primary sealant strains in this reference case are conservatively treated as the maximal strains that the primary sealant is capable of withstanding, which represents the allowable strain value for the primary sealant of any other arbitrary IGU configuration
Summary
In 1865, Stetson patented the first double glass unit (DGU) as an improvement of window glass that effectively reduces heat loss and improves sound protection [1]. The first insulating glass unit (IGU) was single-sealed and was soon improved by a desiccant in order to protect the interior side of the glass panes from condensation. In the late 1970s, edge seal design was improved in order to increase durability. Double-sealed IGUs were introduced, which have a primary seal between the spacers and glass, and a secondary seal above the spacers. The primary sealant is usually polyisobutylene (PIB). Its main role is to protect the insulating chambers against water vapour permeation. The secondary sealants, i.e., polysulphides, polyurethanes, or silicones [2,3], represent a mechanical restraint that
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
