ABSTRACT
New lightweight granular materials, called Inorganic, Insulating and Incombustible ('3I') loose-fill materials, were developed in the LEEMA-EU project. They are based on inorganic polymers derived from mineral tailings, recycled glass and industrial by-products and are produced as lightweight hollow aggregates. They have superior thermal conductivity, reduced embodied energy and lower cost compared to applied bulk insulation products. The chapter focuses on the application of the '3I' loose-fill materials as grains in cavity walls, both applied manually as by using a commercially available blowing machine. Two types of walls were studied: the post-insulation of existing double-leaf masonry walls and the insulation of new-built lightweight timber-frame walling structures. '3I' loose-fill materials are used as lightweight aggregates in fibre boards or for infill of masonry element perforations to decrease thermal conductivity. In the domain of the fibres distinction is made between rock wool and glass wool, but they are both hydrofobised silicate fibres.
