Glass wool and rock wool are both common thermal insulation, sound absorption and noise reduction materials, and are widely used in construction, industry and other fields. Although they look similar and have overlapping functions, there are actually many differences.
Raw materials and production process: Glass wool is mainly made of glass. It is usually made by mixing quartz sand, soda ash, limestone, etc. in a certain proportion. After melting in a high-temperature furnace, it is made into a fibrous material by centrifugal or blowing process. The main raw materials of rock wool are natural rocks such as basalt and diabase. After melting at a high temperature of 1450℃-1500℃, centrifugal force or high-pressure air flow blowing is used to make fibers.
Performance characteristics: In terms of thermal insulation performance, both have good thermal insulation effect, but the thermal conductivity of glass wool is relatively lower, and the thermal insulation performance is slightly better. It can more effectively prevent heat transfer in low temperature environments. In terms of sound absorption, the fiber of glass wool is fine and evenly distributed, and the sound absorption effect is better, especially for the absorption of high-frequency sound; the fiber of rock wool is relatively coarse, and the sound absorption performance is slightly inferior, but it has certain advantages in the absorption of low-frequency noise. In terms of fireproof performance, rock wool performs better. It has a high melting point and can withstand high temperatures above 600℃. It is a non-combustible material and is often used in buildings or industrial places with extremely high fireproof requirements. Although glass wool also has certain fireproof properties, the maximum use temperature is generally around 260℃.
Application areas: In view of the insulation and sound absorption advantages of glass wool, and its light texture and easy construction, it is often used for wall and roof insulation and indoor sound absorption treatment of general buildings, such as residential buildings and office buildings; glass wool is also commonly used in some cold storage insulation projects with high moisture-proof requirements. Due to its excellent fireproof performance, rock wool is mainly used in occasions with strict fire safety requirements, such as exterior wall insulation of high-rise buildings, fire isolation belts of industrial plants, and high-temperature equipment insulation in industries such as electricity and petrochemicals. Environmental protection and health impact: The fiber of glass wool is relatively fine. During the construction process, if it is not properly protected, the fiber can easily enter the respiratory tract and may cause respiratory discomfort. Rockwool fibers are relatively hard and there is also a risk of fiber inhalation. Some people may experience allergic reactions such as itching, redness, and swelling after contact with rockwool fibers. However, as long as the correct protective measures are taken during the construction process, such as wearing masks, gloves, and protective clothing, these effects can be effectively reduced.
