In this article, thepassionatewriter.com will try to examine the top 11 differences between Glasswool and Rockwool.
What is Glasswool?
Glass wool, also known as fiberglass or glass fiber, is obtained from a mixture of natural materials and recycled glass. The glasses are melted at approximately 1300 °C. After the melting process, the material obtained is melted and twisted rapidly, resulting in glass fiber. These fibers are bonded to each other and prepared to be used as insulation material.
What is Rockwool?
Rockwool is obtained from volcanic rocks, an abundant raw material source in nature. The way rockwool is produced is similar to the way glasswool is produced. Raw materials are melted at very high temperatures (about 1400 °C), spun, and formed into fibers. The resulting wool is packaged in rolls, felt, or sheets.
- Glass wool and rock wool have an inorganic structure. For this reason, no bacterial production is observed in either material. Additionally, their inorganic structure prevents insect infestation.
To date, many comparisons have been made between insulation made with glass wool and rock wool. The best choice of insulation material in this comparison will vary depending on the application and specific performance requirements.
11 Differences Between Rockwool and Glasswool
1) Heat Transfer Difference (R-Value)
R-value is called the resistance of a material to heat transfer. It can be said that the higher the R-value of the material, the better heat resistance it has. Accordingly, the insulation performance is better.
Glass wool has an average R-value of 2.2-2.7, while rock wool has an R-value of 3.0-3.3. According to these values, it can be said that rockwool is a better insulation material than glasswool.
2) Compressive Strength
Compressive strength is necessary for a structure to be durable under high-weight loading. While glass can withstand 110 kg of pressure per cubic meter, rock can withstand 200 kg of pressure per cubic meter. In this case, rock wool can provide a more suitable operation in places where compressive strength is the primary factor.
3) Density and Weight
Glass wool has a density between 11 and 200 kg/m3. Rockwool has a density between 15 and 220 kg/m3. Since density affects the weight of the material, the denser the material chosen, the more weight it will have on the structures. Glasswool is lighter and easier to transport than rockwool. However, glass wool has a harder structure than rock wool.
Compressing rockwool is an extremely difficult process due to its density. On the other hand, glass wool may lose its insulation value when compressed.
4) Sound Insulation
While glass wool has a sound absorption coefficient in the range of 0.8-0.92, rockwool has a sound absorption coefficient in the range of 0.75-0.95. Considering this, it can be said that both materials have a structure that can block noise. However, since rockwool has a higher density and weight, it provides better sound insulation than glasswool. For this reason, rockwool is generally preferred for noisy areas.
5) Fire Resistance
Both insulation materials are in class A1, which is “non-combustible materials” according to TS EN 13501-1. However, rockwool is much more resistant to fire than glasswool. While glass wool is fire-resistant up to 250 degrees, rock wool is resistant up to 650 degrees.
Additionally, a wool product with high density is required to stop the fire. Rockwool is advantageous in this respect. The use of rock wool is the most suitable solution in projects where precautions against fire are required.
6) Maximum Temperature
Maximum temperature refers to the temperature at which an insulation material can continuously maintain its functionality without any loss in thermal insulation performance. Glass wool can maintain its functionality in the range of -60 to +450 ° C, and rock wool in the range of -180 to +750 ° C. Rockwool can withstand higher temperatures than glasswool without losing its insulation properties. For this reason, rock wool is a widely used sound and heat insulation material in process facilities with high temperatures.
7) Water Resistance
Rockwool does not get wet because it has a structure that is highly resistant to moisture and water. For this reason, rot, fungus, and mold problems do not occur. Glass wool, on the other hand, is not as resistant to moisture as rock wool. For this reason, if water and moisture-resistant insulation is preferred, rockwool should be preferred.
8) Transportation and Storage Conditions
The fibers of glass wool enable it to be highly compressed after opening the package, without affecting the recovery of the material to the required size. For this reason, transportation and storage efficiency is quite high. Rockwool, on the other hand, cannot be compressed to a high degree. Therefore, its transportation and storage is more difficult than glass wool.
9) Cost
If you have a limited budget, glass wool will be a preferable product as an insulation material. Glass wool is a material that can be a little cheaper than rock wool. It is suitable for working with low costs in heat and sound insulation.
10) Ease of Installation
Rockwool is much easier to install. Rockwool is considered much easier to work with, especially if you plan to install the insulation yourself. Although it is heavier than glass wool, it is easier to cut, transport, and place. Additionally, glass wool can be a disadvantage for workers because it produces a lot of fine dust during construction. However, since glass wool has a looser structure, it can be difficult to place it in desired areas.
11) Areas of Use
- While rockwool can be used in the thermal insulation of pipes at high temperatures, glasswool is preferred in pipes at lower temperatures.
- Both materials are used in exterior insulation because they have a structure that protects them from cold.
- Rockwool is used as an insulation material in ship construction thanks to its ability to repel water.
- Rockwool is used in entertainment centers. It is frequently preferred for sound insulation, especially in concert areas.
- Glass wool is used in roof insulation. It is especially preferred for roof insulation of sandwich roofs, metal roofs, and container structures.
- Rockwool is used in electrical household appliances because it has a protective feature against any electric shock.
- Both materials can be preferred for sound and heat insulation in partition walls.
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