In the push for more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings, material innovation plays a central role. Among the most promising developments is the use of glass bubbles, also known as hollow glass microspheres, in cement pastes to improve thermal insulation without compromising strength and workability.
Why Use Glass Bubbles in Cement Pastes?
Traditional cement-based materials are often dense and thermally conductive, which leads to significant heat transfer. By incorporating glass bubbles, the overall thermal conductivity of the paste is significantly reduced, making it more energy-efficient in building envelopes, fireproof barriers, and lightweight panels.
Key benefits include:
- Enhanced thermal insulation
- Reduced material weight
- Improved flowability and ease of application
- Lower environmental footprint through material efficiency
- Performance Characteristics
Glass bubble-modified cement pastes exhibit:
- Thermal conductivity as low as 0.1–0.3 W/m·K (depending on dosage and matrix)
- Density reduction of up to 30–50%
- Maintained or slightly reduced compressive strength, tunable based on mix design
- Proper selection of bubble grade and volume fraction allows tailored performance for specific needs—ranging from insulation boards to lightweight concrete blocks.
Applications in Construction
- Interior wall insulation plasters
- Roof tile underlayment and screeds
- Fire-resistant cement panels
- Prefabricated sandwich panel cores
- Cementitious coatings with reflective and insulating properties
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