Live at home with the comfort and warmth would be desirable to many. But not everyone knows how to achieve these conditions. Thermal insulation of their homes with the help of mineral wool will not only bring a welcome warmth to your home, but significantly reduce energy bills, eliminate the risk of sewer and water peremerzaniya pipes. Below we will look at what kinds of mineral wool there, and what better to insulate the various structural elements of the house.
What is mineral wool
Mineral wool as a separate type of material does not exist in this concept is a group of various heaters, which are produced from the feedstock, inorganic - natural stone mountain-gabbro basalt, waste glass and metallurgical industries, manufacturing and silicate clay brick.
The property to retain heat due to the presence of air between the innumerable mineral thinnest fibers, which can be arranged depending on the type of insulation in a chaotic or a specific order. Also, depending on their location and density of the material and the ability to withstand dynamic loads. The fibers themselves obtained in the process of melting the feedstock at high temperatures and subsequent processing of the gas or air with use of various binder components:
- formaldehyde or urea-formaldehyde resins;
- phenolic alcohols;
- compositions of formaldehyde and phenol;
- bentonite clay (mineral gidroalyumosilikatnogo);
- latex;
- bitumen;
- polymer emulsions.
Safety for the person leading mineral wool, made on the basis of basalt, only because of its connection - bentonite clay, is the cleanest environmentally.
Technology of production of insulation
The first phase of production of insulation, called mineral wool, consists of batch preparation, which might include a few ingredients. The composition of the mineral wool depends on the number of components and their technical characteristics. Dried and powdered batch is melted in special furnaces where the temperature reaches up to a thousand degrees. Stone, melted to a liquid state, is sent to the special rolls, where under the influence of an air or gas stream is obtained thinnest fiber insulation.
A further process of producing all types of mineral wool is the formation of the insulation material. Depending on the fiber diameter and the functionality of the product, its carpet structure can be created vertical or chaotic arrangement of the fibers have a corrugated appearance. Thereafter, the cotton is sent into the cooling chamber, wherein simultaneously with cooling of the fiber impregnated with a certain type of binder. In the manufacture of certain types of mineral wool, the process can be supplemented with stitching fiberglass mat, steel wire or cord linseed.
Mineral wool is a synthetic binder (phenol or formaldehyde) and organic, that is, bitumen is fundamentally different production technology. However, any material passes polymerization process of the binder in which the mineral wool evaporate excess moisture.
forms of insulation
Also a single-layer soft wool produced material having various types of topcoat - vapor barrier or waterproof membrane that is attached to the adhesive. To improve the thermal insulation properties of the insulation is covered by mineral wool foil film, which does not allow heat to leave the room.
At the last stage of the mineral wool is formed into a finished product, which may take the form of:
- mat;
- plates;
- roll;
- cylinder;
- shell.
On the characteristics and properties of the mineral wool in the form of tufted mats influences and materials, which product obkladyvayutsya from opposite sides. This can be - steel mesh with various forms of cells, glass nonwoven material, technical paper, cardboard, a grid of glass fiber, asbestos cloth.
Scope mineral insulation
Spectrum use of insulation, produced from various kinds of mineral wool, is very wide. It applies this material as in the construction and in industry, in the manufacture of articles intended for insulation surfaces to the heating temperature up to 700 ° C, the manufacture of sandwich panels and other products of different functionality.
In the building industry Mineral wool is used for thermal insulation of structural elements of buildings and buildings for any purpose:
- walls;
- overlap:
- floors;
- cellars;
- facades as ventilated and plastered;
- caps;
- pitched and flat roofs;
- balconies and loggias;
- frame houses;
- provisional structures - sheds, huts and so forth.
In systems of utilities mineral wool with different specifications and properties are used for thermal insulation main and stand-alone water pipes, laid under the ground and on the surface, and the local backbone drain.
I found application insulation of mineral wool and in the construction of three-layer walls made of brick or stone as the middle layer, as well as in the manufacture of reinforced concrete structures, greatly enhancing their thermal insulating properties.
Mineral wool is used in various industries - oil and gas, metallurgical and energy.
Varieties of mineral wool insulation
Depending on the feedstock are several types of mineral wool:
- stone;
- slag;
- glass wool.
Each type has its own properties and characteristics which determine their field of application.
stone wool
Mineral wool, which serve as the raw material stones rocks such as basalt, dolomite and others considered to be the safest in environmental terms, due to their properties. It includes no harmful formaldehyde resins, as well as a binder is used bentonite, which is applicable even in the food industry. The main advantages of the heater stone are:
- low thermal conductivity;
- ability to withstand wool temperature to 1000 degrees Celsius;
- resistance to sudden changes in ambient temperature;
- Safety in installation and operation;
- high humidity;
- resistance to deformation.
You should know that only basalt insulation It can be considered environmentally friendly. In the production of rock wool in the initial charge composition may be administered to other components - limestone silicates, and also used as a binder a phenol-formaldehyde resin, although in small volumes.
Unlike glass stone does not irritate the skin, which is beneficial to the process of e mounting.
fiberglass
Such insulation is limited in use due to the fragility of the fibers that cause skin irritation and dangerous if it enters the respiratory tract in humans and animals. Therefore, in areas where it is assumed long-term presence of people not in use.
Most often used for glass wool insulation, technical, ancillary facilities, outdoor highways engineering services. Despite the high degree of water resistance, this material has a low density, the most among the lowest of all types of mineral wool.
Level of heat resistance of glass wool in the range 300-400 ° above zero, afraid moisture, making its heat transfer properties are significantly reduced.
The main drawback lies in brittle fibers that require the use in the process of working with glass material of protective equipment, such as:
- respirator;
- tight clothing;
- sunglasses;
- gloves.
slag wool
The last representative of mineral wool, material derived from metallurgical wastes, has the lowest price in the market of building materials. Due to the minimum length of the fibers, which can be obtained from the molten blast-furnace slag, the material looks like a real wool, only a dark gray color. The low density of the material, fragility and low fire resistance, as well as large not hygroscopic allow the use of rock wool for facade insulation, pipelines, attics in places the passage of the furnace or chimneys. And the presence in the feedstock domain acid residues eliminates material contact with the metal plates. The main advantage of the insulation of slag - the lowest price.
Advantages and disadvantages of mineral insulation
Any material possesses certain advantages and disadvantages. All this is present in the mineral wool. But first, a pleasant - positive characteristics, and mineral wool, which are as follows:
- High ability to retain heat;
- resistance to high temperatures and hostile environments;
- It may be used as sound insulation;
- mechanical compressive strength;
- nonsusceptibility processes of putrefaction and growth of bacteria and parasites;
- ability at low hygroscopicity pass moisture vapor;
- duration of the maintenance period;
- environmental Safety.
High ability to retain heat due to the special arrangement of rock fibers, between which is formed a lot of chambers with air, which is known, is the best insulator.
Mineral insulation produced from non-combustible materials, and he can not burn unless the temperature in the outbreak of fire will not exceed 1000 ° C, which in everyday life happens. Therefore, such a material is recommended for use on surfaces which are unable to withstand the temperature of other types of thermal insulation, such as polystyrene or styrofoam. It tolerates rockwool and exposure to aggressive chemical substances can therefore be used for insulation of industrial piping and tanks.
Stone wool do not favor domestic rodents, harmful bacteria and microbes that require moist environment, and hygroscopic insulation is close to zero. Due to this property in the room will always maintain an optimal level of moisture will not form mold and rot.
The presence of air between the wool fibers provides a material property to muffle sounds. This feature is relevant when using the material in the roof space, into the door leaf as a heater, and simultaneously shumoizolyatora.
Due to the special arrangement of the fibers on compression strength of the material is sufficiently high. Therefore, it is often used for insulation of floors, intermediate floors, followed by application of cementitious screed. Mineral wool shrinkage is minimized, which increases its thermal insulating properties.
For ecological safety of insulation of stone material meets the binder which used in minimum amounts, and under normal temperatures this substance into the environment It stands out.
As stated by the manufacturers of mineral wool, the service life of not less than forty years, with proper installation and subsequent operation of the insulated constructions.
disadvantages
But as they say, without the drawbacks do not happen anything. They are inherent in the mineral wool:
Efficiency of mineral insulation material will be higher if its laying use steam- and waterproof film.
The need to use protective equipment during installation of the material, which is not always nice and comfortable. Some types of mineral wool are afraid moisture, so need careful protection.
Warming designs mineral wool
Technology insulation different designs depends primarily on their functionality, the location and type of material. But in any case, a heater is mounted on clean, dust-free surface having no significant protrusions or depressions.
When mounting the insulation adhesive is removed old topcoat removed traces of mold, fungus formations. Then held priming insulate the surface for better adhesion of the adhesive.
Besides fixing mats or boards glue, are used as additional fastening dowel-fungi that his broad hat securely hold the material on vertical and horizontal surfaces, in the case of a heater mounted on a ceiling, a roof side attic. Fungi should be installed only after the glue is completely dry, and grabs.
If it is assumed plastering insulation on the insulated surface stuffed reinforcing mesh of steel, plastic or fiberglass. When the device ventilated facade cladding external walls or siding, paneling or any other finishing material, you must leave a gap between the insulation and finishing, to prevent the accumulation of condensation on the surface insulation.
When the dry thermal insulation material is attached between the special guides the carcass structure or between rafter those fungi or fishing line, a thin cord. On top of mineral wool vapor barrier membrane is required to be expanded.
What offer cotton producers
In our country, it is mainly popular insulation of the following brands:
- Rockwool;
- Isover;
- Ursa.
All types of insulation can be purchased in the form of plates, rolls so that packed in polyethylene special strength, eliminating the deformation of the product during storage and transportation.
Mineral wool Rockwool companies are made on the basis of basalt two Russian companies, and meet all the requirements of GOST. Among all other types of insulation this brand has won great appreciation of consumers. The company produces a wide range of products including such famous brands as "Acoustic Butts" "Facade Butts" and "Light Batts" for use in various designs and conditions operation.
Products under the brand name "Isover" stone of raw materials produced by Russian plants of the French company Saint-Gobain. Consumers are offered a heater plate and rolls of various sizes - from standard to "small", which is convenient to use a small floor area, with local repairs insulation. product quality and its safety is confirmed by the presence of all necessary certificates.
Brand mineral wool «Ursa» is made from recycled glass or quartz. A wide range of products of this company lets you choose the material for insulation of the most diverse on the functionality of premises, from the balconies to the living rooms and saunas. It is produced in the form of boards, mats and rolls, including a foil membrane.
The main essence of the article
Help keep the heat in the house is possible by using mineral wool, make and type which is selected depending on the purpose of the room or building a constructive element. Mineral wool made of rock, stone and glass fiber in accordance with the GOST 31913-2011. Each type has its own characteristics of mineral wool properties. Stacking is performed for a certain insulation technology corresponding functionality design.