New types of thermal insulation glass, diversity in solar control and design, and in building-integrated photovoltaics.
It has been two years since the launch of the strategic alliance between AGC Glass Europe and Interpane Glas Industrie AG. At glasstec 2014 in Düsseldorf the two companies presented numerous highlights from their completely revised product range: the main focus was on the new insulating glass portfolio, but there was plenty to see in new types of solar control glass, innovative decorative glass products for interiors and architecture, building-integrated photovoltaics, heatable glazing and a whole lot more.
The big attraction at this year’s glasstec was the extensive new low-emissivity glass range: colour-neutral iplus top 1.1 insulating glass and the iplus top 1.1 T toughenable version with a thermal transmittance (Ug) of 1.1 W/(m²K), as well as iplus advanced 1.0 and its toughenable version iplus advanced 1.0 T, an energy-optimised glass with a thermal transmittance (Ug) of 1.0 W/(m²K). For large-area and south-facing glazing, AGC Interpane offers iplus Energy N. This has a special silver coating that reduces the solar factor, while optimising daylight transmission, colour neutrality and reflection. The iplus Energy NT version is toughenable. For triple glazing, the alliance offers products bearing the passive house certification: iplus top 3, iplus top 3C and the radiation-optimised high-end product iplus 3 LS alongside the iplus 3 LST toughenable version. Anti-fog glazing with a pyrolytic coating prevents condensation from forming on the outer pane, thus ensuring a consistently good view of the outside world. The iplus AF top version provides high thermal insulation, while iplus AF Energy N delivers effective solar control.
For future-oriented architecture with an optimal energy balance, AGC Interpane offers high-performance solar control glass products, such as Stopray Ultra-50 on Clearvision. This high-end glazing has a triple silver coating, combining maximum light transmission with a significantly reduced inflow of heat into the building. The coating is applied to a low iron float glass. The solar factor of 23 percent is especially low, greatly reducing air conditioning costs. At the same time, the daylight transmission of 49 percent means interiors are flooded with natural light. Its excellent thermal transmittance (Ug) of just 1.0 W/(m2K) protects against the loss of heating energy in the winter months. Superb daylight transmission and an especially low total energy transmittance are also offered by Stopray Ultra-60 and 60T on Clearvision. They are also very colour-neutral when looking at or through them, even from oblique angles.
Stopray Smart 30/20 and 51/33 are the latest additions to the Stopray product family. Featuring a magnetron-sputtered silver coating applied, these double glazing products provide excellent solar control (solar factor = 20 and 33 percent respectively) and thermal insulation (1.1 W/(m2K) according to EN 673). The real innovation, however, is that these products offer the same technical properties in both toughened and non-toughened versions, and that no edge-deletion is needed, making subsequent processing easier. Stopray Smart 51/33 offers an especially neutral appearance and clear views of the outside world. Stopray Smart 30/20 has a pleasant bluish tint, in line with current trends in top international architecture.
Stopray LamiSmart 24 is the first Stopray coating for laminated glazing and therefore the ideal solution for southern regions where more powerful solar control is required (solar factor = 25 percent), but where thermal insulation does not play a role. Stopray LamiSmart 24 presents the same technical properties in both toughened and non-toughened versions and is easy to process as no edge-deletion is necessary. The product is available in neutral blue (base product), green, bronze, grey and dark blue.
The extended Lacobel T toughenable painted glass range is the alliance’s latest addition to its decorative glass portfolio. What makes it so special is the fact that the colours are burnt into the glass surface during the toughening process, making it extremely resistant to thermal shocks and UV, and suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. For glass processors the logistical advantage is also attractive: Lacobel T can be cut to size and then toughened at their plant, making processing easier and faster. It is available in 15 different colours. Other decorative glass products were built right into the booth structure, including ipadecor (digital and screen-printed glass), Oltreluce (patterned glass) and ipachrome design (chrome-based partially coated glass).
In addition to decorative and building glass products, AGC Interpane presented glazing with special additional functions for heating and building-integrated photovoltaics. ipatherm is a heating glass for use in rooms without a traditional heating system. It contains a very thin, transparent metal layer that can be continuously heated via an electrical connection to temperatures of up to 60 degrees Celsius. This space-saving heating solution provides comfort through the even, allergy-free output of warmth. SunEwat XL is a laminated glass with embedded mono or polycrystalline photovoltaic cells that generate electricity whenever they are exposed to sun. The super-clear outer pane maximises output. The inner pane can be clear, low-iron, coloured or screen-printed glass. As a result, the modules meet both aesthetic and functional needs, and can be used in facades and spandrels.