KEY COMPONENTS

1. Expanded Glass:
   - Expanded glass is made by heating finely ground recycled glass to temperatures of around 800–900°C. During this process, the glass softens and releases gases, causing the material to expand and form lightweight, porous granules or beads.
   - Properties: Expanded glass is highly porous, with a closed-cell structure that makes it lightweight, insulating, and resistant to water, fire, and chemicals. The granules typically range in size from 0.1 to 20 millimeters.

2. Synthetic Binder (Optional):
   - To improve the mechanical performance of expanded glass, a synthetic binder, such as a polymer resin, can be added. This creates a composite material with enhanced strength, flexibility, and resistance to environmental factors like water and chemicals.

Properties and Benefits

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1. Lightweight: Expanded glass aggregates are significantly lighter than traditional aggregates like gravel or crushed stone, with a bulk density typically between 150–500 kg/m³. This makes them ideal for lightweight concrete and fill applications where weight reduction is crucial.

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2. Thermal Insulation: Due to the air-filled pores in its structure, expanded glass offers excellent thermal insulation. This makes it highly suitable for applications that require energy efficiency, such as insulating building foundations, walls, and roofing systems.

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3. Fire Resistance: Expanded glass is made from non-combustible materials (recycled glass), giving it excellent fire-resistant properties. It can withstand extremely high temperatures without emitting toxic fumes, making it useful in fireproof construction materials such as partition walls and insulation panels.

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4. Moisture and Chemical Resistance: The closed-cell structure of expanded glass granules prevents water and chemical absorption, making them highly resistant to moisture and chemicals. This makes expanded glass synthetic aggregate suitable for wet environments like drainage systems or underground construction, as well as for use in chemical processing plants.

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5. Durability and Strength: While expanded glass is lightweight, it maintains good compressive strength and durability. When combined with a synthetic binder, the aggregate becomes even more robust, making it suitable for load-bearing applications in both civil and structural engineering projects.

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6. Sound Insulation: Expanded glass's porous structure also provides effective sound insulation, which can help reduce noise transmission in buildings. This makes it useful for applications in acoustic insulation panels and flooring systems in noise-sensitive environments like offices, theaters, and residential complexes.

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7. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: Expanded glass is typically made from recycled glass, which reduces the need for raw material extraction and lowers the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. Its use in construction supports sustainable building practices by reducing waste, promoting recycling, and enhancing energy efficiency.

Applications 

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1. Lightweight Concrete: Expanded glass synthetic aggregate is widely used in lightweight concrete mixes for applications such as floors, roofs, walls, and precast concrete elements. Its low density helps reduce the weight of structures without compromising strength or stability.

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2. Thermal Insulation: The excellent thermal properties of expanded glass make it an ideal choice for insulating building components, such as foundations, external walls, and roof systems. It is also used in insulating concretes for cold storage buildings and energy-efficient homes.

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3. Fireproofing: Thanks to its fire-resistant nature, expanded glass aggregate is used in fireproof construction materials, including fire-rated partition walls, ceilings, and cladding systems. These materials help prevent the spread of fire in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

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4. Soundproofing: Expanded glass’s sound-insulating properties make it useful in acoustic panels, floors, and walls. It is often used in places where noise reduction is essential, such as offices, auditoriums, and residential buildings.

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5. Geotechnical Fills: Expanded glass aggregates are commonly used in geotechnical fills such as road embankments, retaining walls, and bridge abutments, where a lightweight, stable material is needed to reduce pressure on the underlying soil while providing good drainage.

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6. Landscaping and Drainage: Expanded glass aggregates are used in landscaping for drainage layers in green roofs, planters, and sports fields. Their lightweight nature and moisture resistance make them ideal for areas where efficient water management is critical.

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7. Sustainable Construction: Expanded glass is a popular choice in sustainable construction due to its recycled content and energy-saving properties. It is often used in green building projects and LEED-certified structures for its environmental benefits, including its contribution to thermal efficiency and waste reduction.

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An expanded glass synthetic aggregate is a highly versatile, eco-friendly, and lightweight material with excellent thermal, fire, and sound insulation properties. Its use in construction reduces the weight of structures while enhancing energy efficiency and fire resistance, making it ideal for a wide range of applications from lightweight concrete to geotechnical fills and sustainable building projects.