Today we will consider a popular and effective thermal insulation material, known for more than half a century, which is called glass wool. What is it?
Contents
- Composition
- Specification of glass wool
- Application of glass wool
- Advantages of
- Disadvantages of
- Difference between mineral wool and glass wool
- Video
Composition
This fibrous insulation is one type of mineral wool. It is made by drawing fibers from silicon with additives from limestone, soda, dolomite, borax, etc. with the addition of a synthetic binder. It differs from other varieties of mineral wool in that glass wool has a greater fiber thickness and better elasticity.
Technical characteristics of glass wool
The thermal conductivity of glass wool is 0,039-0,05 W / m * K.The heat insulator in glass wool is the air itself, which fills the cavities formed between the interlacing of fibers. It can be operated at temperatures up to 450 degrees.
Insulation properties:
- low thermal conductivity;
- good sound insulation characteristics;
- incombustibility;
- elasticity and compressibility;
- easy and simple installation;
- durability.
Application of glass wool
Modern glass wool is a non-flammable insulation that is used for thermal insulation of the roof, internal and external walls and partitions, floors and floors of residential and technical premises. Provided that the glass wool is well water-proof, it is possible to insulate the facades. Reviews about this heater for many decades are invariably good. It is ideal for warming the garage and basement. In the photo and video you can see numerous applications. When installing the plates, it shrinks and forms a monolithic thermal insulation coating without cold bridges.
Advantages of
One of the main advantages of glass wool in comparison with basalt mineral wools is its cost. It is much cheaper due to the more affordable raw material cost and due to cheaper transportation. Glass wool has excellent compressibility and elasticity and is able to reduce its volume in a package 6 times. When unpacking for 20-40 minutes, it recovers its volume. The most known manufacturers are glass wools such as Isover, Ursa, Rockwool, etc. Steklovata is produced in slabs, rolls and mats, it can be produced reinforced and with a reflective layer.
Disadvantages of
The drawbacks include excessive water absorption. During installation, a mandatory vapor barrier is required. When drinking moisture, the insulation degrades its thermal insulation properties up to 40%.In addition, when drinking water, the fibers irreversibly change their structure to more brittle.
When installing, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment: in any work with glass wool, it detaches the smallest glass fibers that can get into the lungs during breathing or cause irritation of the skin.
Difference of mineral wool and glass wool
Comparing mineral wool and glass wool, we can say that this is essentially the same type of materials, becausein the concept of mineral wool according to GOST 31913-2011 includes the following varieties of cotton wool: glass wool, stone wool and slag wool.
