How is Argon Used in Windows?
As air itself is a good insulator, filling the gap between the glass panes with a low-conductivity gas, such as inert argon or krypton, improves window performance by reducing conductive and convective heat transfers. This phenomenon results from the fact that the density of the gas is greater than the density of the air. Argon is the most commonly used fill gas, due to its excellent thermal performance and cost-efficiency in comparison to other gas fills. Several techniques are used to fill the insulated glass (IG) cavity. However, all techniques result in a mixture of fill gas and air. It is generally accepted that the IG unit should achieve a 90% fill gas concentration. In time, this concentration will gradually evaporate at a rate estimated from % to 1% per year. Efficiencies gained from gas filled IG units are not significantly degraded until a 25% gas concentration is reached. Argon gas is not explosive, poisonous, or dangerous in any way. It is an inexpensive option that costs a
