When evaluating the benefits of stone wool insulation, the question is not what can stone wool do but what cannot it do. Stone wool, or mineral insulation wool, is an exceptionally versatile product with a variety of attributes that make it healthy for the indoor environment without compromising installation ease and performance. Understanding the benefits of stone wool insulation, as well as its manufacturing, installation and performance features, can help you understand how to best use TECHNONICOL stone wool in your next project.
What is stone wool?
The stone wool production process takes an unassuming rock and makes it into an incredibly functional product. Basically, it is the produce of molten gabbro-basalt rocks and dolomites that takes place in a giant furnace, where the aforementioned components are treated by extreme temperatures as high as 1400-1500 degrees Celsius. Further, this lava-like substance is conveyed into the centrifuge, where it gets blown through the air to be later collected as fibers by the drum. As the drum shapes it into an ongoing carpet of material with the help of a shape-making pendulum, it becomes available for the next step of processing – polymerization. In this phase, the wool goes into a polymerization oven with a temperature of 250-300 degrees Celsius, where it eventually turns into the crystallized form that we all know as mineral wool. The overall production is ecologically oriented, with high efficiency and low waste; the exceptional performance of stone wool insulation and its considerable lifespan increases the efficiency of this product.
Stone wool use cases
After stone wool is melted, spun and crystallized, it can be shaped into a variety of designs based on potential applications. General designs include standard slabs for acoustic and thermal insulation of roofs, floors and partitions, slabs with a rough surface to promote adhesion of plaster for insulating facades, sloped slabs to provide the slope on flat roofs for proper water drainage. The special cases include mineral wool in a form of cylinders and wired mats for technological insulation and fire protection.
Thermal insulation
Stone wool is an effective material with regard to its thermal properties. Regarding its insulation properties, the intrinsic layered-fiber composition of stone wool aids in trapping air. With more air trapped, there is a greater insulation effect. This effect is amplified based on the thickness of the stone wool used, with increased thickness leading to a proportionate increase in thermal insulation.
Sound insulation
Again, owing to the nature of basalt as well as the abundance of trapped air inside the insulation, stone wool insulation offers exceptional acoustic insulation properties. TECHNONICOL stone wool is able to withstand a variety of frequencies and intensities while providing maximal sound absorption.
Technical insulation and fire protection
Thermal and sound insulation are valuable properties but only when they coincide with proper safety and environmental health capacities. Fortunately, TECHNONICOL's stone wool provides optimal fire resistance while also providing great chemical resistance. Due to being made of stone fibers, stone wool has a melting capacity of over 1100 degrees Celsius, allowing it to be used in a variety of industrial applications. Stone wool is also chemically resistant to a variety of oils, paints and solvents while also being pH stable in acids and alkaline substances, allowing it to provide maximal insulation without degrading from exposure to caustic chemicals. As stone wool is also resistant to moisture absorption, preventing the growth of mold and mildew while also resisting the accumulation of insulation-reducing humidity, stone wool provides a comprehensive and effective insulation material.
TECHNONICOL stone wool products
With high biostability providing resistance to macro and microorganisms, exceptional dimensional stability owing to its ability to resist impact and the above-mentioned thermal and acoustic insulation benefits, TECHNONICOL stone wool offers a variety of benefits relative to the different types of stone wool used.
- TECHNOROOF V60 is a stone wool insulation slab that is used as the upper insulation layer for industrial and renovation projects. It comes in varying thicknesses of 30-100 mm and offers the fire, compression and water resistance intrinsic to TECHNONICOL stone wool. As noted, the thicker the stone wool is, the greater the insulation capacity.
- TECHNOROOF N30 is another stone wool slab that can also come in sloped configurations for flat roofs. It is slightly thicker, ranging in thickness from 50-200 mm depending on the application. It is used as the bottom layer of multi-layered flat roof insulation given that it supports slightly less point loads than TECHNOROOF V60.
- TECHNOFACADE is stone wool is designed to be used as wall insulation for facades. Its rough surface promotes the adhesion of plaster without sacrificing any of the thermal, acoustic, fire resistance or compression properties found in TECHNONICOL stone wool.
- TECHNOVENT STANDART stone wool is designed to be used as a single layer or as the exterior layer in a dual-layer system for exterior facades. It does not require a vapor barrier and offers slightly higher thermal resistance at comparable thicknesses.
- TECHNOLITE is low-density stone wool purposed for soundproofing and thermal insulation in various framed constructions (e.g. roofing, flooring and partitions). Given its physical properties, it is not supposed to be used as a load-bearing component; however, TECHNOLITE retains the exceptional acoustic and thermal insulation properties of other TECHNONICOL insulation.
- TECHNOSAFING stone wool insulation is used as insulation for steel structures, including steel decking in industrial and commercial settings. It offers up to 240 minutes of fire resistance at temperatures up to 680 degrees Celsius while retaining its operation properties.
- TECHNOCYLINDER, as its name implies, is uniquely designed to fit around pipes and venting to provide thermal, sound and fire resistance. It is manufactured as a hollow cylinder with a notch on one side for easy installation around cylindrical fixtures. It comes in thicknesses ranging 20-120 millimeters that make it adaptable to a variety of insulation settings.
- TECHNOMAT WIRED incorporates stainless steel or galvanized steel mesh for increased absorption of mechanical loads for insulation applications involving high-temperature equipment, piping and gas ducts.
Making TECHNONICOL stone wool work for you
Whether your concern is finding appropriate insulation for an industrial flat roof or a pitched roof of a residential house, providing maximal acoustic insulation or providing heat-resistant insulation for high-temperature piping, TECHNONICOL stone wool provides maximal thermal and acoustic comfort without compromising physical performance, water resistance, chemical stability or biostability. As one of the leading stone wool manufacturers specializing in high-quality mineral wool material, TECHNONICOL's varied products represent its commitment to sourcing field-tested and industry-approved material. For those looking for reliable insulation that meets international environmental and performance standards, TECHNONICOL stone wool has the solution you need to keep your project protected.