Marine glass: Glass with high-performance edge sealing for use on ships

Objectives and work programme

On cruise ships and passenger ships, multi-layered insulating glazing is used to save energy and increase comfort. The outer hull primarily uses double insulated glazing. This is borrowed from the construction industry and can be installed when the ship is at anchor. However, this standard glazing is not suitable for the environmental conditions in maritime applications and can darken after only a few years; 8 to 10 at the latest.

The glazing is made impermeable to gases using an edge sealing method that joins the panes. This is intended to prevent leakage of gases or permeation of moisture into the inter-pane space. The edge seal consists of plastics that, in the long term, are limited in their function by maritime conditions (water, salt, temperature). Additionally, installing glazing on ships is vastly different to installing on building facades. As a result of the required bonding of the glass (for waterproofing), there are no options for ventilation or drainage. Even in low humidity, the glass edge sealing system is exposed to higher vapour pressure stress, which consequently darkens the glass.

The objective of the cooperative project is to design bonded facades for ships that continue to ensure that the ship’s hull is watertight, but also offer solutions for drainage of the glazing joints. A new facade structure in connection with multi-layered insulating glazing designed for use in maritime applications would significantly extend the life expectancy of the glazing. The aim is to successfully introduce bonded maritime glazing to the market that meets the requirements of conventional standards in shipbuilding.

Partner

marine glazing Brombach & Gess GmbH & Co. KG, Balingen