Glass Wool Information
Glass wool is an insulating material, made from fibre glass, arranged into a texture similar to wool. Glass wool is produced in rolls or in slabs, with different thermal and mechanical properties.
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Manufacturing process
After the fusion of a mixture of natural sand and recycled glass at 1,450 °C, the glass that is produced is converted into fibres. The cohesion and mechanical strength of the product is obtained by the presence of a binder that “cements” the fibres together. Ideally, a drop of bonder is placed at each fibre intersection. This fiber mat is then heated to around 200 °C to polymerize the resin and is calendered to give it strength and stability. The final stage involves cutting the wool and packing it in rolls or panels under very high pressure before palletizing the finished product in order to facilitate transport and storage. Glass wool having better advantages compair to other insulation materials.But it is hazardous due to its duct & very small glass particles which can travel into the human body during inhalation.
Uses
Glass wool is a thermal insulation that consists of intertwined and flexible glass fibres, which causes it to "package" air, resulting in a low density that can be varied through compression and binder content. It can be a loose fill material, blown into attics, or, together with an active binder sprayed on the underside of structures, sheets and panels that can be used to insulate flat surfaces such as cavity wall insulation, ceiling tiles, curtain walls as well as ducting. It is also used to insulate piping and for soundproofing.
Studies of side effects
A 2002 summary by International Agency for Research on Cancer puts insulation glass wool into Category 3 carcinogen, "not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans". The summary found "inadequate evidence" of glass wool causing cancer in humans and "limited evidence" of it causing cancer in experimental animals.[1] Two unspecified "large" studies reviewed in the summary showed "increased mortality" (6% in the "US cohort study") from respiratory cancer in workers exposed to glass wool production. The longevity of exposure did not affect mortality. Smoking habits were not factored out. Non-occupational indoor settings were found to contain "much lower" fibres per volume unit.
Unspecified studies reviewed by Health Canada have shown that short time exposure to glass wool may cause minor irritation of skin, eyes, nose and throat. According to Health Canada, glass wool exposure does not present a significant health risk to the general population.[2]
See also
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References
- ^ IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Volume 81: Man-made Vitreous Fibres. Chapter 5. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 2002, 418 pages. ISBN 92 832 1281 9
- ^ The Safety of Manmade Vitreous Fibres, Health Canada, December 19, 2006
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Categories: Glass types | Building insulation materials
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