How is Rockwool made?
Rockwool is created by melting natural basalt rock and chalk at 1,600 degrees Celsius. The material is then blown into a large spinning chamber that forms it into thin strands. This method produces 37 cubic feet of wool from 1 cubic foot of rocks.
Why choose Rockwool?
At the pinnacle of ROCKWOOL’s strategy is our corporate Purpose: “To release the natural power of stone to enrich modern living”. The ROCKWOOL Group is world leader in stone wool solutions covering building insulation, industrial and technical insulation. Where to next?
What is the recycled content in mineral wool?
The recycled content in mineral wool is derived from the steel slag. ROCKWOOL products contain between 16% or 40% pre-consumer recycled material dependent on the ROCKWOOL manufacturing facility location.
What is Rockwool insulation?
ROCKWOOL insulation is a stone-based mineral fiber insulation comprised of Basalt rock and Recycled Slag. The recycled content in mineral wool is derived from the steel slag.
What is Rockwool made from?
ROCKWOOL insulation is a rock-based mineral fiber insulation comprised of Basalt rock and Recycled Slag. Basalt is a volcanic rock (abundant in the earth), and slag is a by-product of the steel and copper industry. The minerals are melted and spun into fibers.
What does Rockwool produce?
Mineral wool, also known as rockwool or stone wool, is produced from natural rock materials, slags or glass which undergo melting and fiber formation to produce insulation and other fibrous materials.
Where is Rockwool from?
Greater Copenhagen, DenmarkRockwool A/S (or AS), also known as the ROCKWOOL Group, is a Danish multinational manufacturer of mineral wool products headquartered in Hedehusene, Greater Copenhagen, Denmark. The company's R&D unit, employing 100 people as of 2016, is co-located with the headquarters in Copenhagen.
Why is Rockwool called Rockwool?
One material that is growing in popularity is Rockwool – which like the name suggests is wool made from molten rock. A mixture of basalt, anorthosite, and cemented briquettes are heated up in excess of 15000c at which the rock mixture becomes molten and this is then spun into fibres.
How is Rockwool formed?
0:595:00How It's Made - Stone Wool Insulation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe process is fueled by coke which is a form of coal basalt rock is solidified lava formed. WhenMoreThe process is fueled by coke which is a form of coal basalt rock is solidified lava formed. When rock melts underground. And then quickly cools.
What is stone wool used for?
Also known as mineral wool, stone wool is created by spinning molten rock and minerals with steel slag to create a cotton-candy-like wool product. Pressed into rolls and sheets, stone wool creates an incredibly effective insulation with sound-absorbing and fire-resistant properties.
What is the difference between mineral wool and rockwool?
Mineral wool uses mineral waste residue as raw material, rock wool use basalt as raw material. Second, the operation place is different. Mineral wool is widely used in industry area, rock wool is widely used in building area.
Is rockwool organic?
Since the answers to questions 1 and 3 are “Maybe” and “Yes,” rockwool is classified as synthetic and thus prohibited for use in organic agriculture.
Can rockwool be recycled?
ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation can be recycled Leftover ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation and off-cuts can be recycled and transformed into new ROCKWOOL insulation. Recycling is a key part of our business.
Is Rockwool environmentally friendly?
It's Not Environmentally Friendly Rockwool doesn't score well on the environmental scale. It's not a natural material. Manufacturers use combine chalk and rock and then heat them up to around 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Next a stream of air is blown through it, resulting in extremely thin fibers of the rocky material.
What happens if Rockwool gets wet?
Similar to dry slump, wet slump occurs when the materials get wet. This pushes the insulation down, exposing a massive proportion of a wall to the elements, possibly causing major damage.
Who invented Rockwool?
The ROCKWOOL Foundation was established in 1981 by Claus Kähler and his five siblings.
Why is rockwool used in hydroponics?
The primary reason for using rockwool, or any substrate, in a hydroponic growing system is to provide a buffering reservoir of nutrient solution in the root zone while maintaining an adequate volume of air (oxygen) in contact with the roots.
Can rockwool be composted?
At the end of the plant life cycle, horticultural rockwool can be reused to grow different plants, or you can shred it to be composted and then reused in potting mixes or in garden beds.
Does rockwool decompose?
Mineral wool is difficult to recycle and has few reuse applications. It does not decompose or breakdown when disposed of in landfills.
What is the melting point of a rockwool?
ROCKWOOL products have a high melting point of 2150°F and can operate at high temperatures. We do not currently have tested assemblies for these applications. The recommended commercial or industrial ROCKWOOL product will depend on the temperature and usage of the stove/oven. Please contact your local representative to find specific products.
What is rock wool insulation?
ROCKWOOL insulation is a rock-based mineral fiber insulation comprised of Basalt rock and Recycled Slag. Basalt is a volcanic rock (abundant in the earth), and slag is a by-product of the steel and copper industry. The minerals are melted and spun into fibers.
How long does Rockwool insulation last?
ROCKWOOL insulation should last the lifetime of your building if installed in a properly designed system according to spec. ROCKWOOL products will not decay since they are inorganic, so they will retain their properties assuming no physical damage occurs.
How thick is a rockwool batt?
Depending on the application ROCKWOOL can make a board product up to 6” thick and a batt product 7.25” thick. ROCKWOOL products can also be layered to achieve a higher R-value when needed. For example: R15 + R30 = R45.
What is off gassing in rockwool?
Off-gassing refers to the gases emitted from a product post-production, often known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's). ROCKWOOL products conform to testing standards limiting the emission of VOC's. For more information, please refer to our technical bulletin here.
Is Rockwool insulation made of batt board?
ROCKWOOL insulation is only manufactured in batt, board, and pipe forms.
Is Rockwool a food source?
ROCKWOOL products are inorganic which provide no food source for mold to grow. ROCKWOOL products are tested to ASTM C1338 – A Standard Test for Determining Fungi Resistance – and passes with zero fungal growth.
Ensure you enjoy the full benefits of Rockwool by learning about the creation, composition, and features of this insulation
Fiberglass insulation has long been a popular option for slowing the transmission of heat through the walls and ceilings of a home. While it may have the added benefit of creating a fire-resistant layer between the interior and exterior walls, fiberglass still may not measure up to the natural abilities of Rockwool.
1. Rockwool is made of rocks heated to become lava-like liquid
The process by which Rockwool insulation is made helps to explain the true fire-resistant potential of this product. It’s composed primarily of basalt rock and a recycled steel-making byproduct known as slag. These components are superheated, allowing them to liquefy and mix together into a lava-like liquid.
2. It contains between 16 to 75 percent recycled material
The confusion about the amount of recycled material used to make Rockwool insulation can mostly be attributed to the statistics about mineral wool insulation in general. Rockwool is a brand-specific type of mineral wool insulation that is so popular the name became synonymous with the appropriate term, which is mineral wool.
3. Rockwool has excellent heat retention
Both fiberglass and Rockwool are effective at keeping a home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, but the specific thermal efficiency of these materials favors Rockwool. While fiberglass insulation is capable of offering an R-value of about 2.2 to 2.7 per inch of insulation, Rockwool has an R-value between 3.0 to 3.3 per inch of insulation.
4. The material is fire-resistant up to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit
As noted previously, Rockwool insulation is formed from literal rocks and steel slag that must be heated beyond 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit in order to mix the component materials and create this highly effective insulation.
5. Rockwool is a highly durable insulation option
The durability of this insulation material is difficult to dispute, given that it is capable of retaining its thermal efficiency over several decades with minimal degradation in its R-value.
6. Rockwool insulation is great for soundproofing rooms
Some people may not appreciate the heftiness of Rockwool insulation because it does tend to be thicker than fiberglass insulation, but this helps to slow the transmission of heat and it has the added effect of slowing sound waves.
What is rockwool made of?
Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Rockwool is made from natural basalt rock and chalk. Rockwool is used in home insulation and is growing in use for hydroponic gardening, which is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. This mineral is a sterile, porous, non-degradable ...
What is the melting point of rockwool?
Rockwool has a melting point around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is an older form of rockwool in a home, the primary danger is that it will burn well. If your home was built prior to 1960 and contains rockwool insulation, it is important to keep its flammability in mind. The newer forms of rockwool do not possess this flammability problem.
How many cubic feet of wool is produced from a cubic foot of rocks?
The material is then blown into a large spinning chamber that forms it into thin strands. This method produces 37 cubic feet of wool from 1 cubic foot of rocks. The process itself is eco-friendly and creates a material that does not possess plant pathogens.
Is rockwool harmful to the body?
When handling rockwool, it should be kept away from children and animals. Clothes need to be thoroughly washed after coming into contact with the dust, so others are not directly exposed. Rockwool fibers are single monofilament strands and do not separate into thin fibrils such as asbestos and will not penetrate the cell walls within the body. This is why rockwool is not as harmful to breathe in as asbestos. Because rockwool fibers are short and thick, the body can easily expel them.
Is rockwool flammable?
Older applications of rockwool were installed loosely and formed large spaces in wall cavities, which made it extremely flammable. Due to advancements in the manufacturing process of rockwool, it is now one of the most fire-retardant insulation materials available, according to "Gardening Indoors with Rockwool.".
Is rockwool sterile?
This mineral is a sterile, porous, non-degradable material manufactured in various forms. Rockwool has been in use since the 1970s but has recently come under scrutiny for potential dangers from its fibers. Advertisement.
Does rockwool contain asbestos?
Older forms of rockwool insulation are composed of fiberglass, mineral wool and could contain asbestos. Homes built after 1960 that contain rockwool insulation most likely do not have asbestos. Breathing in asbestos could possibly cause lung-restrictive illness and death. The newer forms of rockwool pose little risk of breathing it in.
What is mineral wool?
Mineral wool is any fibrous material formed by spinning or drawing molten mineral or rock materials such as slag and ceramics.
How much mineral wool is allowed in the workplace?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the legal limit ( permissible exposure limit) for mineral wool fiber exposure in the workplace as 15 mg/m 3 total exposure and 5 mg/m 3 respiratory exposure over an 8-hour workday .
Why is mineral wool used in furnaces?
The use of high-temperature mineral wool enables a more lightweight construction of industrial furnaces and other technical equipment as compared to other methods such as fire bricks, due to its high heat resistance capabilities per weight, but has the disadvantage of being more expensive than other methods.
What is high temperature wool?
High-temperature mineral wool is a type of mineral wool created for use as high-temperature insulation and generally defined as being resistant to temperatures above 1,000 °C. This type of insulation is usually used in industrial furnaces and foundries. Because high-temperature mineral wool is costly to produce and has limited availability, it is almost exclusively used in high-temperature industrial applications and processes.
What is AES wool?
Alkaline earth silicate wool (AES wool) AES wool consists of amorphous glass fibres that are produced by melting a combination of calcium oxide (CaO−), magnesium oxide (MgO−), and silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ). Products made from AES wool are generally used in equipment that continuously operates and in domestic appliances.
How is polycrystalline wool made?
Polycrystalline wool consists of fibres that contain aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3) at greater than 70 percent of the total materials and is produced by sol–gel method from aqueous spinning solutions. The water-soluble green fibres obtained as a precursor are crystallized by means of heat treatment.
How is amorphous wool made?
Amorphous high-temperature mineral wool (AES and ASW) are produced from a molten glass stream which is aerosolized by a jet of high-pressure air or by letting the stream impinge onto spinning wheels. The droplets are drawn into fibers; the mass of both fibers and remaining droplets cool very rapidly so that no crystalline phases may form.
Thirteen scarce resources analyzed
Glass wool can be substituted by various foams, by rock wool, or by natural fibers. Rock wool has approximately the same properties as glass wool, while insulation foams such as expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, and polyurethane are currently used as an alternative for glass wool.
Aluminosilicate Fibers
Aluminosilicate fibers (commonly called refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) in the United States) are amorphous fibers belonging to a class of materials termed synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs), also termed man-made mineral fibers or man-made vitreous fibers.
Synthetic Vitreous Fibers
P. Nony, ... T. Hesterberg, in Encyclopedia of Toxicology (Third Edition), 2014
Industries
Benoit Cushman-Roisin, Bruna Tanaka Cremonini, in Data, Statistics, and Useful Numbers for Environmental Sustainability, 2021
Environmental Forensic Microscopy
James R. Millette, Richard S. Brown, in Introduction to Environmental Forensics (Third Edition), 2015
Acoustical Measurement
Allan J. Zuckerwar, in Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology (Third Edition), 2003
Polycondensation
Phenolic resin was produced in 1910 as the first man-made synthetic plastic, and now has the history for more than 100 years.
