Glass wool and rock wool
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I would appreciate your advice: Glass wool and rock wool look similar; what are the differences between them in terms of composition and applicable conditions?
In my opinion, glass wool is a material formed by fibrillizing molten glass to create a cotton-like structure; its chemical composition is that of glass, making it an inorganic fiber. It features good formability, low bulk density, low thermal conductivity, excellent insulation properties, good sound absorption capabilities, resistance to corrosion, and stable chemical properties. Rock wool is a man-made, lightweight silicate material consisting of discontinuous flocculent fibers; it is soft in texture, possesses good chemical stability, and is resistant to acids and alkalis. It is neither brittle nor powdery, has good elasticity, and can be used for insulation, soundproofing, etc. in engineering applications. I appreciate your continued guidance
As a supplementary note: glass wool is a type of artificial inorganic fiber. Natural ores such as quartz sand, limestone, and dolomite are used as the main raw materials, along with some chemical materials like soda ash and borax, to melt into glass.
Simply put, I think glass wool is used for filtration, while rock wool is used for insulation
The impacts on health of the two are different
For silicate materials, I know that aluminum silicate insulation is used in environments above 250 degrees Celsius.
Glass wool is a type of mineral wool made from molten glass materials or glass, while rock wool is a type of mineral wool produced from molten natural igneous rocks; both can be used as insulation or soundproofing materials. Glass wool is recommended for use at temperatures below 300°C, while rock wool can be used safely up to 600°C. However, when it is combined with binders to form boards, mats, or shells, the safe operating temperature is below 350°C, and in practice it is even lower.
There are some differences in their uses; generally, rock wool is more commonly used for insulation in heat transfer oil furnaces, as it can withstand higher temperatures. I’d like to add that rock wool is carcinogenic~
Glass wool is mostly used for filtering； Rock wool is used for insulation. Both have flame-retardant properties. :loveliness:
“\"Rock wool causes cancer\"? Asbestos must be what causes cancer. Rock wool is not asbestos; the difference between the two is not very clear. I would also appreciate the experts' guidance.