LOW THERMAL CONDUCTING SPACER ASSEMBLY FOR AN INSULATING GLAZING UNIT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

摘要

An insulating unit is disclosed having a pair of glass sheets about an edge assembly to provide a compartment between the sheets. The edge assembly has a U-shaped spacer made of metal, metal coated plastic, gas and moisture impervious polymer, or gas and moisture impervious film coated polymer. The outer legs of the spacer and the glass provide a long diffusion path to limit the diffusion of argon gas out of the compartment. The edge assembly has materials selected and sized to provide edge assembly having an RES-value of at least 75. Also disclosed is a spacer for use in insulating units including a plastic core having a gas impervious film e.g. a metal film or a halogenated polymer film. Also taught herein are techniques for making the unit and spacer. The unit has a long diffusion path to increase the time period in which insulating glass e.g. Argon gas may be retained in the compartment. The increased RES-value provides a unit that has a low thermal conducting edge. In this manner heat loss through the marginal edge of the unit is reduced.