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The secret of mineral wool: How does it go from molten rock to an excellent insulation material?
Mineral wool, a fibrous material made from molten rock, is gaining more and more attention. Due to its excellent thermal insulation performance, sound insulation ability and wide application in building envelopes, the use of mineral wool has spread to construction, industry and agriculture. This article will take an in-depth look at the manufacturing process of mineral wool and how it has transformed into an indispensable insulation material.
What is mineral wool?
Mineral wool is a fibrous material formed by spinning or stretching molten mineral or rock material. Its application range is quite wide, including thermal insulation, filtration, sound insulation and hydroponic growth medium. The diversity of mineral wool has led to it being called mineral wool, mineral wool and artificial mineral fiber, among others.
History of Mineral Wool
The history of mineral wool can be traced back to the 19th century. Slag wool was first produced by Edward Parry in Wales in 1840, but the process had to be abandoned because of the flying nature of the fibers. In 1870, John Prey received a patent in the United States, and it was first produced commercially in 1871 by Georg Marienhuth in Germany.
In the mineral wool manufacturing process, strong airflow is used to blow the falling liquid iron slag into thin filaments, which is similar to the thin filaments of volcanic rock after a volcanic eruption in nature.
High temperature mineral wool
High temperature mineral wool is a type of mineral wool designed for high temperature insulation, usually able to resist temperatures above 1000°C. This type of insulating material is mostly used in industrial furnaces and foundries. Due to its high production cost and limited supply, this material is almost exclusively used in high-temperature industrial applications.
Manufacturing of mineral wool
Asbestos is produced by heating molten rock to about 1600°C and fibrousizing it using air or steam. The process is similar to the production of cotton candy, and the end result is a ball of long, thin fibers.
Mineral wool fibers typically range from 2 to 6 microns in diameter, making it an excellent thermal and acoustic insulation material.
Applications of mineral wool
Although the thermal conductivity of individual fibers is not low, when these fibers are made into rolls or sheets, their good air isolation makes them an excellent insulating material. In addition, the fire-resistant properties of mineral wool also make it a place in building materials. It is widely used in fire-resistant coatings, dry wall fillings, and packaging materials in fire-fighting bunkers.Security considerations
Regarding the safety of mineral wool, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed man-made mineral fibers in 2002 and pointed out that some non-biodegradable materials may pose a carcinogenic risk to humans. However, most glass fibers, asbestos, slag wool, etc. are considered non-carcinogenic. In recent years, a variety of highly biosoluble fibers have been developed that have been shown to have low carcinogenic potential.
Development of alternative materials
As concerns about mineral wool grow, a number of biodegradable alternatives are coming into focus, including the development of insulation materials such as hemp, flax, wool and wood. These materials stand out for their health properties and biodegradability, but are relatively weak in terms of mold resistance and flame resistance.
Mineral wool is undoubtedly one of the most vital materials in modern construction and industry, but with concerns about health and environmental impacts, will there be safer alternatives to meet market demand?
