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14.03.2017, SCHOTT AG, Mainz, Deutschland

New coating for fireplaces for installation in passive and low-energy houses

The coated ROBAX® IR Max fire viewing panel better reflects heat radiation back into the combustion chamber, doing good for people and the environment

The coated ROBAX® IR Max fire viewing panel better reflects heat radiation back into the combustion chamber, doing good for people and the environment – photo: SCHOTT AG

What can be done about the often too hot vicinity around a fireplace or stove? SCHOTT ROBAX^® now has a promising answer for this all too common question: ROBAX^® IR Max. The coating reflects a large portion of heat radiation back into the combustion chamber, significantly reducing the heat that escapes. This effectiveness never diminishes, contributing to highly efficient, low-emission combustion. SCHOTT will present this new development at the ISH performance show in Frankfurt/Main from March 14-18, 2017 (Hall 9.2, Booth E09).

Fireplaces and stoves are most charming when they offer the clearest view of the dancing flames. But in these particular cases, a lovely experience becomes a sweaty one as soon as the heat builds up. This is a common occurrence in low-energy and passive houses, for example, which have high thermal insulation. Everything near the fireplace – people as well as furniture, carpet and curtains – can get uncomfortably warm when the heat turns up.
The glass-ceramics expert SCHOTT had this in mind when it developed a highly effective coating for its ROBAX^® fire viewing panels: ROBAX^® IR Max reflects up to seven times more heat radiation back into the combustion chamber than uncoated fire viewing panels. Not only less heat escapes as a result, but also the increased temperature inside the fireplace or stove contributes to better combustion, lowering emissions. The additional energy bonus can also be used to heat water-bearing components or as storage energy. Not least, fuel can be used optimally and heating costs reduced.

Extremely durable and easy to clean
An outstanding plus of ROBAX^® IR Max is its longevity that is second to none. Throughout intensive testing, the coating retained its high reflective effectiveness. It remained stable and functioning even under continuous exposure to 650 degrees Celsius. This leads to further advantages: higher temperatures in the combustion chamber can mean fewer soot deposits on the viewing panel, which simplifies cleaning the glass-ceramic.

With ROBAX^® IR Max, SCHOTT also expressly meets market requirements. “Many of our customers asked for a coating with even higher reflectivity than our previous product ROBAX^® Energy Plus. With ROBAX^® IR Max, we meet these demands with twice as much reflection of heat radiation,” says Isabel Eymael, Marketing Manager for SCHOTT ROBAX^®.

The new development offers even more convincing arguments for fireplace and stove manufacturers: lower wall and floor temperatures enable more design freedom, particularly with regard to the depth of the heating chamber and the size of the fire viewing panel. Even multi-sided glazed fireplaces can now be closer to walls and furniture. But above all, fireplace lovers can scooch back in – because with ROBAX^® IR Max, warmth stays cozy.

SCHOTT ROBAX^® is a registered trademark of SCHOTT AG.

SCHOTT is a leading international technology group in the areas of specialty glass and glass-ceramics. The company has more than 130 years of outstanding development, materials and technology expertise and offers a broad portfolio of high-quality products and intelligent solutions. SCHOTT is an innovative enabler for many industries, including the home appliance, pharma, electronics, optics, life sciences, automotive and aviation industries. SCHOTT strives to play an important part of everyone’s life and is committed to innovation and sustainable success. The group maintains a global presence with production sites and sales offices in 34 countries. With its workforce of approximately 15,000 employees, sales of EUR 1.99 billion were generated in fiscal year 2015/2016. The parent company, SCHOTT AG, has its headquarters in Mainz (Germany) and is solely owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. As a foundation company, SCHOTT assumes special responsibility for its employees, society and the environment. www.schott.com