Glass wool
Glass wool is an insulation material made from glass fibers and arranged into a wool-like texture using a binder. The process traps many small pockets of air within the glass and these small air pockets result in high thermal insulation properties. Glass wool is produced in rolls or slabs with different thermal and mechanical properties. It can also be produced as a material that can be sprayed or applied in place, to heat the surface. The modern method of making glass wool was invented by Game Slater while he was working at the Owens-Illinois Glass Co. He first applied for a patent in 1933 for a new process for making glass wool.
Glass wool is made from sand, limestone, and soda ash with a high proportion of recycled glass and other minerals. They are melted down into fibers and mixed with organic resins before being cured into products. The mineral raw material melts at about 1400 to 1500 °C. An aqueous binder is sprayed onto the fibers during the spinning process. The fibers cool quickly and harden like glass. The binder is then hardened in a tunnel oven at approximately 250 °C whereby the products gain their structural stability.
Glass wool is produced from a thick layer of glass fibers that are cured in an oven at about 200°C to bind the fibers together and therefore reduce the thickness of the layer. The molten glass from the furnace is fed into the various forehearths by a distribution station. At the front end, the temperature of the feeder is monitored and usually controlled by a silicon detector-based radiation thermometer and coupled thermal radiation through a fiber optic cable. From the nozzle, the molten glass flows into a rotating fiber spinner, which uses centrifugal force to create small pieces of glass fiber. The temperature of the spinner is controlled by a single or dual-wavelength radiation thermometer. For quality control purposes at the entrance and exit of the curing oven, the mat of fibers is imaged by an infrared line-scanner with a very high measuring speed to detect unwanted hot glass gobs inside the insulating material. These gobs can cause problems during the cutting, packing, and handling of glass wool and also inhibit the thermal insulation properties of the final product.
Characteristics
i. Glass wool is an insulation material that is arranged into a wool-like texture using a binder made from glass fibers.
ii. It is a cheaper and more affordable material. It is less expensive than other insulators in the market.
iii. It is made of fire-resistant material. So, it can withstand fire up to 300°C.
iv. It has excellent qualities including acoustic and thermal insulation.
v. It is readily available at every DIY store/hardware store along with other repair supplies.
vi. This component is designed to be rot-proof. It can last a very long time.
You May Know- Glass fiber | Properties and Chemistry | Their applications
vii. It does not pose a health hazard to the people living in the house.
viii. It is also highly resistant to rodents and other pests.
ix. Glass wool is produced as a perfect insulator for attics and cellars. It also protects the outdoor shelter.
x. It can insulate all different types of surfaces. This includes inhabited roof spaces, walls, partitions, etc.
xi. This material has a resilient and adaptive character in nature. So, its installation is very easy. It can fit into floor, ceiling, and wall areas.
Composition
The typical composition of glass wool is roughly 70% recycled glass, 0.5 to 7% binder, and 0.5% mineral oil to avoid dust. Other materials are obtained from ordinary glass production, such as quartz and limestone.
Manufacturing process
Glass wool is made by a spinning process that consists of pouring molten glass through a spinner that fiberizes the glass into continuous fibers. It is made from sand, limestone, and soda ash with a high proportion of recycled glass and other minerals. They are melted down into fibers and mixed with organic resins before being cured into products. The mineral raw material melts at about 1400 to 1500 °C. An aqueous binder is sprayed onto the fibers during the spinning process. The fibers cool quickly and harden like glass. The binder is then hardened in a tunnel oven at approximately 250 °C whereby the products gain their structural stability. Fiber diameters vary widely: some as small as 1 µm and an average of 3–15 µm. Glass wool fibers are bonded together with agents such as urea-phenolic resin, which undergoes a heat-curing process that converts the binder into an insoluble polymer. Other agents, such as lubricants and antistatic and wetting agents, may be added during the manufacturing process.
Glass wool insulation health hazards
Fiberglass/glass wool will irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Possible symptoms include eye, skin, nose, and throat irritation, difficulty breathing, sore throat, hoarseness, and cough. Glass wool used for insulation produces a human disease similar to asbestosis. Scientific evidence shows that glass wool is safe to manufacture, install and use when recommended work practices are followed to reduce temporary mechanical irritation. Unfortunately, these work practices are not always followed, and fiberglass is often left exposed in basements that are later occupied. According to the American Lung Association, glass wool insulation should never be exposed to occupied areas.
Advantages
i. Glass wool is relatively cheap compared to other materials available in the market.
ii. The manufacturing process is environmentally friendly and efficient.
iii. Being a highly durable material compared to other insulation options
iv. It has various advantages such as fire resistance, sound resistance, and low thermal conductivity mixed into a single material, which makes it highly effective.
v. Being lightweight, it can be compressed into sheets and boards, making it easy to install, store, and transport.
vi. Synthetic inorganic fibers are available for wall panels and ceilings and act as sound absorbers.
vii. Glass wool insulators are certified as soluble, which makes them safe.
viii. Flexible and damage resistance.
ix. Non-flammable and heat resistant.
x. Sound absorption and noise reduction.
Disadvantages
i. Glass wool is very irritating to skin and eyes; So its installation cannot be done without gloves, masks, glasses, and protective clothing.
ii. It is sensitive to water, and for that reason, it is only suitable for rooms that are completely waterproof and not humid.
iii. Also prone to exposure to water or moisture due to water-related sensitivities. So, if your home is exposed to such conditions, it needs to be replaced from time to time.
iv. Although glass wool is made of recyclable materials, it has a negative environmental balance, especially because its raw materials are non-renewable.
v. The sound resistance properties of glass wool are limited to moderate values.
0 Comments