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Mineral wool – innovative insulation materials
mineral wool
Innovative insulation materials
Mineral wool ensures balanced development
Mineral wool is a family of insulation materials that is becoming increasingly popular in today's construction world. It is a popular and effective insulation material that offers a number of benefits that make it the first choice of architects, builders and contractors. Used primarily for insulation purposes, it offers a number of benefits, both for the environment and for the energy efficiency of buildings. In this article we will take a closer look at the properties, benefits and various applications of mineral wool. Overall, mineral wool combines effective thermal insulation, durability, fire protection and sustainability, making it a versatile and popular choice in the construction industry.
Properties of rock wool
1.Composition and production
mineral wool are insulating materials that are made from natural mineral raw materials such as basalt, volcanic rock or glass. During production, the raw materials are melted at high temperatures and then stretched into fiber form. This process creates light, flexible and effective insulation materials.
2. Types of mineral wool
There are several main types of mineral wool, the most popular of which are:
basalt wool
It is made of basalt, is temperature resistant and offers excellent sound insulation.
Properties of basalt wool
Raw material – basalt
Basalt wool is made from molten basalt lava. Basalt is a volcanic rock that is melted at high temperatures during production and then stretched into a fibrous shape. This gives basalt wool a fibrous structure with high elasticity.
Volcanic fibers
Basalt fibers have excellent resistance to high temperatures, making basalt wool an ideal insulation material for applications in buildings with high heat loads.
Microporous structure
Like other mineral wool, basalt wool also has a microporous structure, meaning it contains microscopic pores. This property helps regulate humidity in the building and makes the material “breathable”.
Low density
Basalt wool is characterized by its low density, which makes it light and easy to transport and lay. At the same time, it offers high mechanical strength.
Applications of basalt wool
Basalt wool is often used for thermal insulation of external walls and roofs. It offers effective protection against heat loss. Because of its resistance to high temperatures, basalt wool is used to insulate industrial facilities, including pipelines and chimneys. Basalt wool is used for acoustic insulation of rooms where soundproofing is important. It can also be used for horizontal insulation, e.g. B. for floors on the ground floor or for floors above ground. Thanks to its ability to withstand extreme conditions, basalt wool is often used in industry, especially in areas with high thermal stress.
Glass wool
It is made of fused glass, is light, durable and has good thermal insulation properties
Properties of glass wool
Composition and production
Glass wool is made by melting quartz sand and other glass minerals at very high temperatures. Once the material is melted, a stretching process occurs, resulting in glass fibers of different lengths. These fibers are then woven into mats or rolls to create the finished glass wool product.
Structure of the fibers
Glass fibers are characterized by their high mechanical strength and resistance to various chemicals. The microporous structure of glass wool makes the material an effective heat and sound absorber.
flexibility
Glass wool is a flexible material that easily adapts to different shapes and surface configurations, allowing for easy installation.
Applications of glass wool
is often used for thermal insulation of external walls and roofs. Thanks to its resistance to high temperatures, glass wool is ideal for insulating industrial equipment such as pipes and ventilation ducts. It is used for the acoustic isolation of rooms such as offices, conference rooms or recording studios. It can be used for horizontal insulation of floors in the ground or above ground. Thanks to its resistance to extreme conditions, glass wool is ideal for use in industry, especially where there is a high heat load.
Silica wool
It is made from silica and is both fire and corrosion resistant.
Properties of silica wool
Raw material – silica
Silica wool is made from silica, which is one of the most common components of the earth's crust. During production, the silica is melted at high temperature and then stretched into fiber form, creating a microporous structure.
High melting point
Silica fibers have a very high melting point, making silica wool resistant to extreme temperatures, including extreme heat.
Low density
Silica wool has a low density and is therefore lightweight, making it easier to transport, install and handle on site.
Chemical resistance
This type of mineral wool has good chemical resistance, making it resistant to a wide range of chemicals, which is beneficial in a variety of industrial environments.
Applications of Silica Wool
Silica wool is used in high-temperature insulation, for example in the insulation of industrial ovens, chimneys or industrial plants. Thanks to its resistance to high temperatures, silica wool is ideal for the internal insulation of heating stoves, boilers and other industrial systems. It is also used to insulate industrial pipes that transport materials exposed to extreme temperatures. Silica wool is used in high temperature insulation.
Excellent thermal insulation
1. Excellent thermal insulation
mineral wool provide excellent thermal insulation, resulting in significant energy savings for buildings. Their ability to retain heat in winter and keep cool in summer contributes to energy efficiency.
2. Acoustic isolation
Thanks to its fiber structure, mineral wool is also an effective material in the area of sound insulation. They reduce outside noise and ensure quiet and comfortable interiors.
3. Fire resistance
Mineral wool is characterized by its high fire resistance. They are non-combustible, meaning that in the event of a fire they will not contribute to its spread, which is crucial for building safety.
4. Sustainable development
The production of mineral wool based on natural mineral raw materials makes it more environmentally friendly. In addition, their insulating properties help reduce energy consumption, which is in line with the global push for sustainability.
Applications of mineral wool
1. Thermal insulation for walls and roofs
mineral wool Thermal insulation for external walls and roofs. They offer excellent protection against heat loss and excessive heat build-up.
2. Insulation of pipes and plumbing
In the form of mats or pipes, mineral wool can also be used to insulate pipes and heating or air conditioning systems. They protect against heat loss and increase the efficiency of the systems.
3. Room sound insulation
Thanks to its ability to absorb sound, mineral wool is used wherever sound insulation is required. They are used in offices, homes and also in public spaces.
4. Floor insulation
finds application in floor insulation to ensure the comfort of building users and to provide both thermal and acoustic insulation.
Mineral wool is a type of insulation material used in the construction industry for heat and sound insulation. Let's compare them with other common insulation materials such as polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene (EPS), cellulose and phenolic foam.
- Mineral wool:
- Made of stone (basalt or glass).
- Advantages: Fire-resistant, non-flammable, mold and rot resistant, good heat and sound insulation.
- Disadvantages: Heavier than some other insulation materials, may require special handling during installation due to brittleness.
- Polyurethane foam:
- Composition: Consists of polyurethane that hardens through a chemical reaction.
- Advantages: Very good thermal insulation, low weight, easy installation, low thickness with high effectiveness.
- Disadvantages: Less fire resistant compared to mineral wool.
- Polystyrene (EPS):
- Composition: Made from expanded polystyrene.
- Advantages: Low weight, good thermal insulation, relatively low cost.
- Disadvantages: Less fire resistant than mineral wool, can compress over time.
- Cellulose:
- Composition: Typically made from recycled waste paper or newspapers.
- Advantages: Environmentally friendly material, good sound insulation, relatively low cost.
- Disadvantages: Less effective at providing thermal insulation than some other materials.
- Composition: Made from phenol (resin) and formaldehyde.:
- Composition: Made from phenol (resin) and formaldehyde.
- Advantages: Very good thermal insulation, low weight, fire resistance.
- Cons: May contain formaldehyde, causing health concerns.
Choosing the right insulation material depends on many factors, e.g. B. on local climatic conditions, budget, ecological preferences and fire resistance requirements. We can choose mineral wool because it is versatile and offers a good balance between insulation properties and cost.
Summary
mineral wool are an innovative solution for heat and sound insulation. Their sustainable character, high energy efficiency and versatile application make them an indispensable material in today's construction industry. At a time when environmental protection and energy conservation are becoming increasingly important, mineral wool is the perfect tool to support sustainability and the creation of efficient, comfortable living and working spaces.
Recommended mineral wool
ROCKWOOL TOPROCK PREMIUM 035 15CM
Insulation with Rockwool TOPROCK PREMIUM insulating wool mats guarantees excellent thermal comfort in the attic. The highest density guarantees durability, parameter stability and acoustic comfort. TOPROCK PREMIUM mats are a non-combustible product with the highest fire resistance class A1.
TOPROCK PREMIUM mats are the best choice for insulating usable attics, including rafter structures, wooden ceilings, suspended ceilings e.g. over unheated rooms, frame walls.
Glass mineral wool mat with high insulating properties. Super-Mat should be used wherever the insulating properties of the building envelope are most important. The extremely low thermal conductivity lambda λD = 0.033 W/mK easily keeps the thermal resistance of the building envelope at the level required for passive houses and houses with particularly low energy requirements. Passive houses and houses with particularly low energy requirements, as well as for roofs and attics.