Joint adhesive for foamed glass insulation material

Abstract

A foamed glass system for insulating an exterior surface of a fluid delivery or storage container, such as a pipe, is disclosed. The system consists of sections of foamed glass insulation material. A sealant is provided at the junctions between adjacent foamed glass sections to seal the system from moisture and heat ingress.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application entitled "Adhesive for Bonding of Foamed Glass Insulation Material", with an international filing date of March 8, 2022, international application number PCT / US2022 / 019224, and national application number 202280020044.3.

[0002] Related applications

[0003] This application claims priority and all rights to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 158,977, filed March 10, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to insulation material systems for pipes and containers, and more particularly to systems that avoid problems associated with conventional joint adhesives in pipe insulation applications. Background Technology

[0005] Traditional pipe insulation materials can be made from a variety of materials, ranging from flexible materials such as plastics and foam rubber to more rigid materials such as thermosetting plastics and cellular glass (also known as foam glass).

[0006] Because foamed glass can maintain its shape under harsh conditions, including low temperatures, and because its closed-cell structure makes it impermeable to vapors, it is a preferred choice for certain insulation applications. Due to its rigid structure, foamed glass is often made into sections for insulating industrial and commercial pipes or containers. These sections are then assembled around the pipes to provide insulation. However, since foamed glass is used in sections, the gaps or joints between the individual sections must be sealed to complete the insulation. Traditional bonding adhesives used for foamed glass insulation materials typically rely on asphalt (asphalt) mixtures. However, the use of such mixtures has disadvantages (e.g., flammability and health issues). Summary of the Invention

[0007] The overall inventive concept is based in part on the recognition that conventional bitumen-based bonding adhesives do not meet the needs of all foamed glass insulation systems. While several properties meet the requirements of foamed glass insulation, there is a need for an alternative bonding adhesive that retains the positive properties of bitumen while avoiding its known drawbacks. The applicant has discovered that amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) adhesives can provide such properties. In some exemplary aspects, the system for insulating pipes according to the overall inventive concept is suitable for insulating pipes and containers to temperatures of -160°C or lower, including -192°C.

[0008] In some exemplary aspects, the general inventive concept envisions a foamed glass insulation material system for insulating pipes at low temperatures, the system comprising multiple foamed glass insulation material segments and an amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) adhesive. Each foamed glass insulation material segment includes two side joint segments extending the length of the segment, an inner pipe orifice, and two end joint segments; the APAO adhesive is applied at the joints between adjacent foamed glass insulation material segments. The APAO adhesive meets at least one of the following criteria: having a melt initiation temperature of about 20°C to about 75°C; and having a differential motion between the adhesive and the foamed glass ranging from about 10 mm / m to about 25 mm / m.

[0009] In some exemplary aspects, the general inventive concept envisions a method for insulating a pipe. The method includes providing a first foamed glass insulation material segment, a second foamed glass segment, and an amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) adhesive. Each of the first and second foamed glass insulation material segments has a length, an inner pipe orifice, a side joint segment extending the length of the foamed glass insulation material segment between the inner pipe orifice and the outer surface of the foamed glass insulation material segment, application of the APAO adhesive along the joint between the first and second foamed glass insulation material segments, and positioning the foamed glass insulation material segment around the exterior of the pipe or container. The APAO adhesive meets at least one of the following criteria: having a melt initiation temperature of approximately 20°C to approximately 75°C; and having a differential motion between the adhesive and the foamed glass of approximately 10 mm / m to approximately 25 mm / m.

[0010] Other aspects and features of the overall inventive concept will be more readily understood by those skilled in the art upon reading the following description of various exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The overall inventive concept, its implementation methods, and advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of example, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a traditional foamed glass insulation material section.

[0013] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a foamed glass insulation system is shown, which includes foamed glass sections located around a pipe, wherein a non-asphalt hot-melt adhesive (i.e., an amorphous polyalphaolefin adhesive) is located in the joints / joints between the foamed glass sections.

[0014] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a multilayer foamed glass insulation material system is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an exemplary foamed glass section produced for testing the low-temperature performance of an adhesive is shown.

[0016] Figure 5 An image of the outer layer of a multilayer foamed glass insulation system prepared for testing the low-temperature performance of the adhesive is shown.

[0017] Figure 6 An image of the inner layer of a multilayer foamed glass insulation system prepared for testing the low-temperature performance of the adhesive is shown.

[0018] Figure 7 An image of the joint treated with adhesive before low-temperature performance testing is shown.

[0019] Figure 8 An image of the joint after failure during a low-temperature shear test is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Several illustrative embodiments will be described in detail, but it should be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative of the general inventive concept. Embodiments incorporating the general inventive concept may take various forms, and the general inventive concept is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

[0021] While various exemplary embodiments have been described or suggested herein, other exemplary embodiments utilizing methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described or suggested herein are also included within the overall inventive concept.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In this regard, unless otherwise indicated, the component concentrations given in this document refer to the concentrations of these components in a masterbatch or concentrate in accordance with customary practice.

[0023] The general inventive concept relates to systems and methods for insulating pipes or similar structures using foamed glass. While the discussion presented herein focuses on pipe insulation, those skilled in the art will recognize that the applicability of the foamed glass insulation systems described herein is not limited to pipe insulation applications, but is also applicable to, for example, tank bases or related liquefaction equipment and containers. Therefore, the discussion of the various embodiments described herein should not be limited to pipe insulation, but is equally applicable to, for example, tank bases or related liquefaction equipment and containers.

[0024] In some exemplary aspects, the general inventive concept envisions a foamed glass insulation system for insulating pipes at low temperatures, the system comprising multiple foamed glass insulation segments and an amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) adhesive. Each foamed glass insulation segment includes two side joint segments extending the length of the segment, an inner pipe orifice, and two end joint segments; the APAO adhesive is applied at the joints between adjacent foamed glass insulation segments. The APAO adhesive meets at least one of the following criteria: having a melt initiation temperature of approximately 20°C to approximately 75°C; and having a differential motion between the adhesive and the foamed glass of approximately 10 mm / m to approximately 25 mm / m.

[0025] In some exemplary aspects, the general inventive concept envisions a method for insulating a pipe. The method includes providing a first foamed glass insulation section, a second foamed glass section, and an amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) adhesive. Each of the first and second foamed glass insulation sections has a length, an inner pipe opening, a side joint section extending the length of the foamed glass insulation section between the inner pipe opening and the outer surface of the foamed glass insulation section, applying the APAO adhesive along the joint between the first and second foamed glass insulation sections, and positioning the foamed glass insulation section around the exterior of the pipe or container. The APAO adhesive meets at least one of the following criteria: having a melting initiation temperature of approximately 20°C to approximately 75°C; and having a differential motion between the adhesive and the foamed glass of approximately 10 mm / m to approximately 25 mm / m.

[0026] Foamed glass is a rigid, non-permeable, closed-cell foam material with zero water permeability. This low permeability means that foamed glass will not allow water to enter a properly sealed system, making it ideal for use where water vapor should be kept to a minimum. However, because foamed glass is not flexible, in order to form customized insulation products (e.g., duct insulation), it must be formed into prefabricated sections (e.g., half-sections, quarter-sections, or other discrete sections) that are fitted onto the outside of the duct.

[0027] While the general inventive concept is applicable to a variety of insulation systems, the foamed glass used according to the general inventive concept is characterized by its stable thermal conductivity, which does not substantially change when exposed to extreme environmental conditions (e.g., low-temperature applications). Foamed glass insulation materials possess unique characteristics in the insulation market because the product is formed using insulating unit gas components that cannot be separated from the glass structure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that different foamed glass densities and thicknesses will provide different properties and performance. The general inventive concept relates to improving the performance of the combination of foamed glass and adhesive to prevent or mitigate the drawbacks of conventional foamed glass-adhesive combinations.

[0028] To avoid compromising the thermal properties of the foamed glass assembly, the insulation system needs to effectively seal the joints between the individual foamed glass sections. Such a sealant (since the sealant according to the overall inventive concept provides both sealing and adhesive properties to the system, the terms "adhesive" and "sealant" as used herein are intended to be interchangeable) must provide a vapor / thermal barrier regardless of the extreme environmental conditions under which the foamed glass system is frequently used. Conventional insulation systems typically use bitumen-based sealants. While bitumen possesses many properties suitable for use as a sealant in foamed glass, it is not without its drawbacks. For example, bitumen-based systems are subject to environmental health and safety regulations and require permits, which can make their use more problematic in certain situations. Therefore, there is a need for an effective alternative sealant that exhibits good sealing and insulating properties under harsh environmental conditions, is compatible with foamed glass insulation, and does not have the disadvantages of conventional bitumen-based sealants.

[0029] The sealant seals the joint between adjacent foamed glass sections. The sealant is typically applied to the joint section, which is then fitted together around the pipe, compressing the sealant between the insulation sections. Furthermore, the sealant must penetrate the fine cell structure of the foamed glass surface to provide a tight seal. The cell structure of foamed glass insulation is typically less than 2 mm / cell. The sealant effectively bonds the individual sections of the foamed glass together and forms a barrier to prevent vapor intrusion and heat conduction at the joint.

[0030] In one exemplary aspect, the general inventive concept envisions the use of an amorphous polyalphaolefin adhesive for use with a foamed glass insulation material system. In some exemplary aspects, the system includes: a plurality of foamed glass segments, each foamed glass segment having several joint segments; and an amorphous polyalphaolefin adhesive applied to the joint where two adjacent foamed glass segments come together during assembly around a pipe. The amorphous polyalphaolefin adhesive should exhibit good adhesive properties, while also possessing generally good dimensional stability (or simulating the dimensional stability of foamed glass) during temperature variations and low water vapor permeability. Non-limiting examples of suitable amorphous polyalphaolefin adhesive-type hot-melt adhesives include polyethyl acetate (EVA), polyolefin (PO), polyamide (PA), and amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) polymers and copolymers.

[0031] In one exemplary aspect of the general inventive concept, the non-asphalt adhesive is an amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) type adhesive. Amorphous polyalphaolefins (also known as random polyalphaolefins) are generally, but not limited to, polymers of propylene and / or copolymers of propylene and ethylene. In some exemplary aspects of the general inventive concept, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature of less than 75°C, including from 20°C to about 75°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature of from 25°C to about 75°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature of from 30°C to about 75°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature of from 35°C to about 75°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature of from 25°C to about 70°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature of from 25°C to about 65°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature of from 25°C to about 60°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature from 25°C to about 55°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature from 25°C to about 50°C. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a melt initiation temperature from 25°C to about 45°C.

[0032] As previously mentioned, the dimensional stability of insulation systems (including adhesives) is a crucial characteristic for cryogenic applications. When an insulation system cools, the individual components (i.e., the foamed glass sections and the adhesive) tend to shrink or contract. If the difference in the rate of change of the individual materials with respect to temperature (i.e., their coefficients of thermal expansion) is too large, the seal created by the adhesive may fail due to stress caused by the different rates of shrinkage. One method to describe the relative shrinkage rates of the two materials is differential movement.

[0033] As used herein, the term “differential motion” refers to the difference between the calculated thermal expansion of the adhesive material and the calculated thermal expansion of the foamed glass. More specifically, as used herein, “differential motion” refers to the thermal motion (expansion) of the adhesive (from a predetermined temperature (e.g., -165°C) to its melting initiation temperature) minus the thermal motion (expansion) of the foamed glass from the predetermined temperature to ambient temperature (25°C).

[0034] The coefficient of thermal expansion (in µm / (m°C)) multiplied by the temperature range provides the total "motion" of the material over the thermal range. The CTE of foamed glass is 6.6 µm / (m°C), providing a motion value of 1.254 over the range of -165°C to 25°C. In some exemplary aspects, the differential motion between the adhesive and the foamed glass (adhesive-CG) is less than approximately 25 mm / m. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a differential motion of approximately 10 mm / m to approximately 25 mm / m. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a differential motion of approximately 10 mm / m to approximately 23 mm / m. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a differential motion of approximately 12 mm / m to approximately 25 mm / m. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a differential motion of approximately 12 mm / m to approximately 23 mm / m. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a differential motion of approximately 12 mm to approximately 21 mm / m. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a differential motion of approximately 12 mm to approximately 16 mm. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive has a differential motion of about 12 mm / m to about 15 mm / m.

[0035] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary ¼ section of the foamed glass pipe insulation material 100. While this section is shown herein as a quarter section of an annular insulation system (i.e., approximately ¼ of the section surrounding the outer circumference of the pipe), those skilled in the art will understand that various combinations and shapes of sections are conceivable and suitable for use within the general inventive concept. Therefore, the general inventive concept is not intended to limit it to the specific embodiments described herein. The foamed glass pipe insulation material is defined by a length L and has a pair of side-joining sections 110, an inner pipe orifice 120, and a pair of end-joining sections 130. The inner pipe orifice 120 defines the area where the pipe will be positioned together with or abut against the foamed glass pipe insulation material sections positioned around the pipe. For example, the inner pipe orifice is adapted to fit around an arcuate portion of the outer circumference of the pipe (or, in some respects, around an inner layer of insulation material, including but not limited to an inner layer of foamed glass insulation material). The side joint section is essentially flat and extends the length of the foamed glass pipe insulation section between the inner pipe opening and the outside of the foamed glass pipe insulation section. The end joint sections are located at opposite ends of the foamed glass pipe insulation section. During installation, each insulation section is installed around the pipe, and a sealant is applied along the joint sections where the two sections intersect (i.e., both the side joint section and the end joint section).

[0036] Figure 2 A foamed glass duct insulation system is shown. In this embodiment, the duct 202 is essentially surrounded by two sections of foamed glass insulation 204. The joints where the foamed glass sections intersect are coated with a non-asphalt hot-melt adhesive 206.

[0037] Figure 3 A multilayer foamed glass duct insulation system 300 is shown. This section comprises two layers of foamed glass insulation material 302 and 304. The inner layer 302 includes a side joint section 310, an inner duct opening 312, and an end joint section 314, which define a first outer circumference. The outer layer 304 includes a side joint section 320, an inner duct opening 322 (in... Figure 3The inner layer is covered by a first outer circumference of the inner layer and an end joint section 324 that defines a second outer circumference. The inner layer is fitted around the conduit with a sealant disposed at the joint (i.e., the joint) between two adjacent sections. The outer layer is positioned around the first outer circumference of the inner layer of the foamed glass insulation material at the joint 340 between the two layers. In some aspects, these sections are compressed together to improve the seal at the joint. In some aspects, according to the general inventive concept, only one layer in the foamed glass insulation material system is sealed with a non-asphalt hot-melt adhesive. In some aspects, each layer of the foamed glass insulation material system is sealed with a non-asphalt hot-melt adhesive according to the general inventive concept, including aspects of bonding two or more layers of foamed glass insulation material.

[0038] While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is generally accepted that low-temperature behavior (e.g., coefficient of thermal expansion) is a critical characteristic in identifying suitable adhesives for pipe insulation. For example, if the adhesive shrinks at a rate significantly different from that of foamed glass during processes (e.g., during cooling to cryogenic temperatures), it can lead to joint failure due to material separation. Improved seals can be achieved over a wider thermal range by using non-asphalt hot-melt adhesives that mimic the low-temperature behavior of foamed glass (or adhere tightly to it). Improved seals also provide a strong mechanical bond between adjacent sections of the sealed insulation and to the pipe or vessel substrate.

[0039] As previously described, the general inventive concept envisions compositions and methods for insulating pipes. The composition comprises sections of foamed glass insulation material and a non-asphalt hot-melt adhesive / sealant (e.g., APAO) applied to the joints or connections between the foamed glass sections. The method comprises providing foamed glass insulation material sections and APAO adhesive according to the general inventive concept. The foamed glass insulation material sections have a length and include an inner pipe opening, side joint sections extending the length of the foamed glass insulation material section between the inner pipe opening and the exterior of the foamed glass insulation material section, and end joint sections. The sealant is applied along the joints between the joint sections (i.e., the side joint sections and the end joint sections) of the respective foamed glass insulation material sections, and the foamed glass insulation material sections are positioned around the exterior of the pipe. In some exemplary aspects, the APAO adhesive is applied to more than one joint section of the foamed glass insulation material section, including each joint section.

[0040] The following examples illustrate the features and / or advantages of compositions and methods based on the overall inventive concept. The examples given are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the overall inventive concept, as many variations are possible without departing from its spirit and scope.

[0041] Example 1: The chemical composition of a series of hot melt adhesives was analyzed and tested under infrared light. The results are as follows:

[0042] Sample 1 includes polypropylene, polyethylene, and calcium stearate, and is also identified by the manufacturer as including ethylene homopolymer.

[0043] Sample 2 includes polypropylene, polyethylene and calcium stearate.

[0044] Sample 3 was found to be mainly composed of polypropylene.

[0045] Sample 4 was found to contain poly(ethylene / vinyl acetate) and poly(ester) terephthalate.

[0046] Sample 5 was found to contain poly(ethylene) and poly(ester) terephthalate.

[0047] Example 2: Viscosity tests were performed on samples 1-5 at 350℉ and 375℉, or both. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0048] Example 3: To identify the adhesives that work in conjunction with the foamed glass insulation material during temperature variations, the adhesives were analyzed to determine their coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) over a specific temperature range. The CTEs of samples 1-3 and 5 were tested. The results are summarized in Table 2 below.

[0049] *The sample shows a distinct "shoulder" in the data that led to this value.

[0050] Example 4: Table 3 shows the calculation results of total motion and differential motion for a series of hot melt adhesives and asphalt.

[0051] Example 5: A series of hot-melt adhesives are applied to a ring-shaped foamed glass segment. The sample is cold-cycled. Two sizes of foamed glass segments are produced, the first being an "inner" tube segment consisting of a crescent-shaped segment with an inner diameter of 6" (fitting around a 6" tube) and a thickness of 3". Figure 4 The second conduit has an inner diameter of 12 inches (for fitting around the conduit and the “inner” foamed glass insulation) and a thickness of 3.5 inches. A total of four joints are bonded together using each individual adhesive (bonding joints between the five foamed glass sections, four joints per adhesive) to form a row of foamed glass blocks.

[0052] After assembly around the pipe, the sample is cooled by flowing liquid nitrogen through the pipe. Figure 5 Two tests were conducted on the piping of the adhesive-bonded components at target temperatures of -165°C and -192°C. The cooling rate was -1.5°C / min, requiring 3 hours to reach the target temperature. The holding time at this temperature was 7.5 hours (the interlayer did not reach equilibrium at 3.5 hours of the initially set 4-hour holding time, therefore the holding time was extended by 4 hours to a total of 7.5 hours). The temperatures of the innermost layer and the interlayer (internal foamed glass insulation versus external foamed glass insulation) at the center of each adhesive-bonded component were recorded.

[0053] More specifically, the pipe was 1) cooled to -165°C and held at this temperature for 7-8 hours, 2) allowed to heat up, 3) cooled to -165°C and held for 7-8 hours, 4) allowed to heat up, 5) cooled to -165°C and held for 7-8 hours, and 6) allowed to heat up. This consisted of 3 runs, after which the pipe was removed and a shear test was performed. In total, this was repeated 4 times to achieve 12 cycles. After the system was heated to ambient temperature, the sample was removed from the pipe and a small force was applied to determine if the joint would break. Figure 7 An example of the cross-section before the test is shown. Figure 8 An example of test failure is shown, such as a joint breakage.

[0054] Three APAO samples, 1, 2, and 3, passed the -165°C test without breaking. Samples 4 and 5 failed after three cycles. APAO samples 1 and 2 passed 9-12 cycles, while sample 3 failed at a joint between cycles 9 and 12. During the -190°C test, samples 1 and 2 showed some surface peeling on the inner foamed glass section but passed the fracture test. Sample 3 failed during cycles 9 or 12 and also exhibited peeling similar to that of sample 2. Sample 1 showed no peeling. Both samples 2 and 3 showed peeling on the inner layer in contact with the pipe.

[0055] Unless the context of the reference provides otherwise or expressly implies otherwise, all references to the singular feature or limitation of this disclosure shall include the corresponding plural feature or limitation, and vice versa.

[0056] Unless the context in which the reference is made specifies otherwise or expressly implies otherwise, all combinations of methods or process steps used herein may be performed in any order.

[0057] All ranges and parameters disclosed herein, including but not limited to percentages, portions, and ratios, should be understood to include any and all subranges contained therein and every number between the endpoints. For example, the specified range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10 (inclusive); that is, all subranges begin with a minimum value of 1 or greater (e.g., 1 to 6.1), terminate with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 2.3 to 9.4, 3 to 8, 4 to 7), and end with every number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 contained within that range.

[0058] The foamed glass compositions and corresponding methods disclosed herein may include, consist of, or substantially consist of the essential elements and limitations of this disclosure as described herein, as well as any additional or optional ingredients, components, or limitations described herein or otherwise useful in the application of the foamed glass compositions.

[0059] The foamed glass compositions disclosed herein may also be substantially free of any optional or selected ingredients or features described herein, provided that the remaining composition still contains all the desired elements or features described herein. In this document, unless otherwise specified, the term “substantially free” means that the selected composition contains less than a functional amount of optional ingredients, typically less than 0.1% by weight, and also includes such optional or selected essential ingredients in zero weight percentage.

[0060] Where the terms “include,” “includes,” or “including” are used in the specification or claims, they are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising,” as interpreted when the term is used as a transition word in the claims. Furthermore, where the term “or” is used (e.g., A or B), it is intended to mean “A or B, or both A and B.” The term “A or B only, without both” will be used when the applicant intends to mean “only A or B.” Therefore, the use of the term “or” herein is inclusive, not exclusive. In this disclosure, the words “a” or “an” should be considered to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, where appropriate, references to plural items should include the singular.

[0061] In some respects, various inventive concepts may be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, any particular element described in connection with a particular disclosed embodiment should be interpreted as applicable to all disclosed embodiments, unless the combination of particular elements would contradict the express terminology of the embodiment. Additional advantages and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this disclosure, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, or illustrative examples shown and described herein. Thus, deviations from these details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall inventive concept.

[0062] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, it should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in its characteristics. It should be understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, and it is intended to protect all changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A foamed glass insulation material system for insulating containers, the system comprising a plurality of foamed glass insulation material segments and an amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) in the joints between adjacent foamed glass insulation material segments. in, Each of the foamed glass insulation material segments includes two side joint segments extending the length of the foamed glass insulation material segment, an internal duct section, and two end joint segments; and The APAO satisfies at least one of the following criteria: a) Has a melting initiation temperature ranging from about 20°C to about 75°C; and b) There is a differential motion between the APAO and the foamed glass, ranging from about 10 mm / m to 25 mm / m.

2. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The APAO is located in the side joint section and the end joint section of the foamed glass insulation material section.

3. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The APAO has a melting initiation temperature ranging from about 20°C to about 75°C and a differential motion ranging from about 10 mm / m to 25 mm / m.

4. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The APAO has a differential motion of approximately 10 mm / m to approximately 23 mm / m.

5. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The APAO has a differential motion of approximately 12 mm / m to approximately 21 mm / m.

6. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The APAO has a differential motion of approximately 12 mm / m to approximately 15 mm / m.

7. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The APAO has a differential motion of approximately 12 mm / m to approximately 23 mm / m.

8. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The APAO has a melting initiation temperature of 25°C to approximately 55°C.

9. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The APAO has a melting initiation temperature ranging from 25°C to approximately 45°C.

10. The foamed glass thermal insulation material system according to claim 1, wherein, The container is a pipe used to transport liquids at low temperatures.

11. A method for insulating a container, the method comprising: A first foamed glass insulation material segment and a second foamed glass segment are provided, each of the first foamed glass insulation material segment and the second foamed glass segment having a certain length, an inner pipe hole, and a side joint segment extending the length of the foamed glass insulation material segment between the inner pipe hole and the outer surface of the foamed glass insulation material segment; An amorphous polyalphaolefin (APAO) is applied along the joint between the first foamed glass insulation section and the second foamed glass section; and The foamed glass insulation material section is positioned around the outside of the container; The APAO satisfies at least one of the following criteria: a) It has a melting initiation temperature from about 20°C to about 75°C; and b) There is a differential motion between the APAO and the foamed glass, ranging from about 10 mm / m to about 25 mm / m.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The APAO has a melting initiation temperature ranging from about 20°C to about 75°C and a differential motion ranging from about 10 mm / m to 25 mm / m.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The APAO is applied to at least one end joint section of the foamed glass insulation material segment.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The APAO is applied to at least one side joint section of the foamed glass insulation material segment.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The APAO is positioned along the joint between the side joint section and the end joint section of the foamed glass insulation material segment.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The APAO is applied along the entire length of at least one side joint section of at least one of the foamed glass sections.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The APAO is applied along the entire length of at least one end joint section of at least one of the foamed glass sections.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The APAO has a differential motion of approximately 12 mm / m to approximately 23 mm / m.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The APAO has a melting initiation temperature ranging from 25°C to approximately 45°C.

20. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The container is a pipe, and the foamed glass insulation material section is positioned to form a first layer of insulation around the pipe. The method further includes positioning the foamed glass insulation material section around the first layer of insulation to form a second layer of insulation.

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