New Glass Block Output Speeded; blocks tested by Purdue fair well

NEW GLASS BLOCK OUTPUT SPEEDED

Development of an improved glass block for building purposes, which has stood up under pressures of 72,500 pounds to a single block and which reduces heat flow, deadens sound, transmits and diffuses light, deflects sun glare and resists fire, has been announced by the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. This announcement followed the completion of exhaustive tests by the engineering department of Purdue University.

According to the announcement these glass blocks will cost less than other glass masonry construction and they compare favorably with average quality glazed steel sash. Variations between 11.7 per cent and 86.5 per cent transmission of light are possible depending on the type of face cutting desired. The blocks also practically eliminate condensation on the inside walls. Tests showed that there was no sweating when the outside temperature was 16 degrees below zero with an inside temperature of 70 degrees and a humidity of 40 per cent. Expansion and contraction with temperature changes correspond closely with those of mortar and steel.

The Purdue tests showed that the glass block is one of the best insulators among building materials and that a large percentage of any heat flow passes through the mortar joints and block beds, rather than through the hollow interior which is a partial vacuum. The tests also showed that the glass block withstood an ultimate pressure of 2000 pounds to the square inch, although the most stringent building regulations require only 700 pounds.

These new blocks are to be used partially in the construction of a building to be erected in the housing research development of the Purdue Research Foundation. And at the same time, Owens-Illinois is building a large all-glass laboratory building which will use glass blocks entirely. Glass wool will be used for insulation of the roof and for air filters in the air conditioning system of this building which is to be devoted largely to packaging research.