One of the most common types of conventional insulation is mineral wool. While it bears many similarities to fiberglass, there are some important differences, mainly its composition. Mineral wool is made out of natural materials as opposed to glass. The most well-known mineral wools are rock wool and slag wool. The former consists of stone fibers and the latter of iron-ore. Regardless of the specific materials, mineral wool can be sold in batts or as loose-fill. This insulation has many valuable qualities, making it no surprise that it remains one of the most popular insulation types in Europe and North America to this day.
Excellent Thermal Control
The main use of insulation is to maintain temperatures and stop thermal exchange. This works to conserve energy output. Not only does this keep energy bills down, but it also contributes to combating climate change. Mineral wool does an excellent job of this by counteracting heat’s natural tendency to flow to cooler surfaces. It does this by holding still air within its fibers. Still air is an excellent insulator.
Moisture Wicking
Mineral wool is hydrophobic, meaning that water damage within insulation is no longer an issue. Other types of insulation, such as fiberglass or cellulose, will get wet and ball up. This will offset any insulation value that these materials originally had. Mineral wool just doesn’t get wet. Water will simply bead up and roll off the surface.
Acoustic Barrier
Commercial and industrial applications require outstanding acoustic control. Noise pollution from machinery can actually cause hearing damage if it is above 65 decibels. Loud, repetitive sounds can cause workers to suffer needlessly. Mineral wool provides a highly effective sound barrier. Through sound absorption and sound reduction, mineral wool insulation simultaneously keeps noises from travelling around one space and into another.
Fire Safety
Fireproofing is an incredibly important quality of mineral wool. Industrial applications can get incredibly hot, but mineral wool can withstand temperatures up to 1,000°C. In the case of a fire, this means that workers have more time to leave the building safely, as the mineral wool will effectively slow down the blaze. These fire resistant qualities make mineral wool an obvious choice for high-risk applications such as petrochemical refineries and oil rigs.
Considerations
As with any insulation, considerations will need to be made when working with mineral wool. Installation requires protective gear, as slivers can easily be lodged in skin or even inhaled. Because of this, it is important that installation is carried out by professionals, like the experts at Westcal Insulation, who are familiar with mineral wool insulation.
Mineral wool insulation can be an incredible tool in many industrial and commercial structures. If you’re curious about how mineral wool could benefit your industrial exploits, contact us today!
