Rockwool insulation technical characteristics: applications and advantages of rockwool light butts insulation. Rockwool - stone wool insulation Technical characteristics of rockwool basalt slab

One of the most popular thermal insulation materials on the world market is ROCKWOOL insulation. The international holding ROCKWOOL produces several types of goods for various purposes. The main direction was and remains the production of non-combustible insulation. ROCKWOOL produces thermal insulation products under the eponymous brand in 27 countries.

Low thermal conductivity of mineral wool

The main function of any heat-insulating material is to create and maintain a comfortable indoor microclimate. Which substances best meet this requirement? These are substances with low thermal conductivity. Manufacturers of heat insulators started making mineral wool insulation several decades ago. Mineral wool is the thinnest fibers compressed by a binder into a web with a thickness of 50 mm to 100 mm.

Today, the market offers fiberglass insulation, which contains sand and recycled glass. Stone wool made from basalt rocks.

stone wool

Stone wool is one of the varieties of mineral wool.

Stone wool is produced by melting basalt volcanic rock at a temperature of about 1500 C and simultaneously drawing fibers with the addition of binder components and water-repellent compounds. As a binding element, resole resins (thermosetting) are used, which are the product of the condensation reaction of phenols with formaldehyde. In the final product, the resins pass into an infusible and insoluble state, therefore they are safe for human health.

The studies carried out on the material allowed the experts to give a positive conclusion on product safety. Rockwool was one of the first companies to receive the EcoMaterialGreen certification.

Characteristics of Rockwool insulation

Insulation pack

Production features and starting materials determine the following physical and mechanical properties of Rockwool insulation:

• The best thermal conductivity coefficients among heaters of this class: 0.036 - 0.038 W / mK. The working thickness of the insulation is 50 mm.
• During long-term operation, there is no shrinkage of the web, due to the unusual structure and randomly arranged fibers. This distinguishes it from fiberglass, in which the fibers are arranged almost longitudinally. It also has a positive effect on the rigidity of the material and resistance to tearing.
• Due to the mechanical interaction of the fibers with each other, the insulation after vertical installation does not fold under its own weight.
• The thermal conductivity is significantly affected by the density of the material, that is, the ratio of mass to volume. The lower the density of the substance, the higher the thermal insulation properties. The density of Rockwool is about 35-37 kg/m3.
• Processing in the production process with water-repellent oils ensures the hydrophobicity of the insulation - the ability not to absorb moisture, repel water. Therefore, there is no destruction of the material in a humid environment, which allows it to be used for thermal insulation of wet rooms.
• Rockwool insulation has a high vapor permeability, which is more than 0.25 mg / (m x h x Pa). The insulation is able to pass through itself water vapor and air. Consequently, moisture condensate does not accumulate in structures with ROCKWOOL thermal insulators. The walls and the whole house breathe freely.
• The insulation also works as a soundproofing material. The sound wave, passing through the rockwool layer, attenuates in it, sound absorption occurs. The overall noise level in the rooms is low.
• The structure of the insulation is such that it has many air pores, so it is easily compressed, the compression is about 30% of the original volume.
• The melting temperature of the insulation fibers is over 1000 C, therefore, under fire conditions, the material provides fire protection for building structures, delays the process of destruction of bearing supports.
• No living organisms can be inside this inorganic material and feed on it. This applies to small rodents, microorganisms, bacteria.

Applications

Rockwool can be used in different rooms

Thermal insulation materials of the ROCKWOOL brand after certification studies have conclusions on compliance with sanitary standards and rules. They are recommended for use in external and internal structures of any type of buildings: residential, public, including medical and children's institutions, as well as industrial facilities, including in the food industry.

Heaters are produced in the form of plates, rolls for ease of installation in various designs. For example, rigid FACADE BATTS boards are used for facade insulation, while LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC boards are used in private construction. "Vapor barrier for roofs, walls, ceilings" is produced in rolls and is used to protect load-bearing structures from the flow of water vapor.

So, ROCKWOOL products can be divided into several groups:

• Rigid plates;
• Light slabs;
• Plates with additional rigidity;
• Rolls.

There are currently a lot of heaters, and they all differ from each other in the composition of raw materials, features of production technology, quality and price. Rockwool brand insulation is not inferior to other heat-insulating materials either in its properties or ease of installation, and is one of the most popular heaters that are chosen by both professionals and people involved in construction on their own.

Video about the properties of a stone slab

Knowing the properties of a stone slab will help you understand whether it is worth buying just such a heater.

Rockwool produces high-quality thermal insulation, widely used in a wide variety of industries. Rockwool stone wool is one of the most popular heaters. It is environmentally friendly, durable and has a long service life.

The description of ROCKWOOL can start with the fact that the insulation is an inorganic and natural product, produced by a special process involving the fusion of mineral rock. Materials such as gabbro and basalt are used as raw materials in the process of its production.

What are the pros and cons of Rockwool? The main purpose is the formation of effective sound and heat insulation structures. The high strength of such products is provided by fibers arranged in a chaotic manner. One of the important features of stone wool is its incombustibility. It is made from rocks with a melting point of 1500 °C.

The scope of use is quite wide: they are used for insulation of walls, floors, roofs, internal and external partitions, building facades, as well as for pipes and non-residential structures.

Specifications Rockwool:

• height - 1000, 1200 mm;
• width - 500, 600 mm;
• thickness - from 40-2000 mm;
• density from 30 - 210 kg / m3.

The disadvantages of such products include the fact that they often become a habitat for various rodents, so their installation should be taken especially carefully. In addition, there are speculations about the dangers of Rockwool stone wool, since compounds such as formaldehyde and phenol are used in its production. However, if in the process of its manufacture the entire technological process is carried out correctly, it is safe for human health and the environment.

Benefits and cost

Rockwool basalt insulation has many advantages. It is environmentally friendly, safe for health and provides an opportunity to save a significant amount of energy. This material has excellent acoustic qualities and good moisture insulating properties.

When describing Rockwool based on stone wool, one cannot fail to note its advantages such as durability and resistance to temperature and mechanical stress. In addition, the material is distinguished by good vapor permeability and high strength.

What is the average cost of Rockwool boards? The price of a product largely depends on its brand:

Mounting Features

According to reviews, Rockwool is considered one of the best products, but installation must be done correctly. Rockwool thermal insulation begins with the fact that plates are glued onto prepared, cleaned surfaces, which are fixed with special dowels that provide additional reliability. Then glue is applied to the material, a reinforcing mesh is immersed in it and covered with another layer. The final step will be painting the walls with decorative plaster.

If you live in a climate zone with cold winters, then you can't do without a heater. A cold winter is considered if the peak temperature drawdowns in it reach at least 10 degrees below zero.

As you understand, a huge number of people live in such conditions. This explains the amazing popularity of heaters on the market (especially popular, looking ahead, let's say). Without them, we would have had a very hard time.

Insulators are varied, but mineral wool samples have proven themselves best of all. Especially Rockwool stone wool. About her now and will be discussed.

1 General information

So, let's first understand what stone wool is in general, as a heater.

In fact, this material has many names. Stone, basalt, mineral - all these are the names of the same insulation, which consists of a soft heat-insulating material.

It is produced using different technologies. Each manufacturer has its own secrets and nuances. For example, Rockwool mineral wool is created using special additives, which almost perfectly protect it from moisture. Also, Rockwool mineral wool is famous for its lightness and extreme elasticity.

However, the general technology always remains the same. The work uses basalt stone. This is an avalanche-like mineral rock.

The basalt material is melted down in high-temperature furnaces, and then special resins are added to the resulting sample. As a result, fibers are formed, from which mineral wool slabs are woven.

These fibers are extremely strong, withstand huge loads, do not burn. All this affects the final properties of mineral wool.

The Rockwool company has been producing mineral wool insulation for a very long time. Their technical characteristics are as high as possible. This is possible thanks to the use of secret technologies that have been developed over the years of the manufacturer's presence on the market.

2 General characteristics

Let us now analyze the technical characteristics that are most often supplied with mineral wool heaters. Here we will consider only general characteristics in a highly averaged version, because there are simply a huge number of varieties of heaters, and each is somewhat different.

If we talk about density, then here the slabs have the largest spread. The average is 50-80 kg / m 3. But it all depends on the specific direction of use of the material. So, mineral wool for a pitched roof will be very light, almost airy. Accordingly, its density will be low.

And mineral wool for a flat roof will have completely different characteristics. Here, the plates already have a high density, especially when it comes to arranging an exploited roof.

In terms of thermal conductivity (almost the most important characteristic for a heater), mineral wool is at the level of 0.038-0.043 W / m as in

This is an excellent indicator, which indicates its good thermal insulation characteristics. Note that such low rates are the merit of Rockwool. Not all mineral wool heaters have the same technical parameters.

Mineral wool does not burn in fire - this applies to all its varieties. It is also hydrophobic, meaning it does not absorb water. The coefficient of its water absorption ranges from 0.5 to 2% of the total mass.

It is also important to take into account the vapor permeability of mineral wool. This indicator allows it to be successfully used for arranging roofs, breathing walls and, in general, any natural structures, which can contribute to the natural regulation of the microclimate in the room.

The coefficient of compression or deformation is also determined by where exactly the plates will be used. It also interacts very seriously with density. The lower the density, the higher its value will be.

So, slabs for warming pitched roofs have density indicators at the level of 30-40 kg / m 3, their deformation coefficient is much higher. In some, it reaches almost 50% ().

This means that the plate can be easily compressed so as to eliminate up to half of its volume. In this case, no damage to the structure will be observed.

As soon as the force application vector disappears, the plate will immediately return to its previous position. Such solutions are also often practiced by popular companies like Rockwool, as they contribute to ease of use. In this case, you don't even have to worry about cutting the slabs and fitting them to the size of the frame.

In some cases, the compression ratio of plates, on the contrary, is only a few percent of the total volume. That is, the plate is almost not compressed. This is due to its high density and focus on receiving direct physical activity.

As for the operating temperature, here the indicators are almost always the same. Mineral wool can withstand temperatures from -50 to +90 degrees Celsius without problems (an example of this). It is not able to catch fire, so the upper temperature threshold is seriously increased, but only if we talk about short-term loads.

3 Varieties and properties

Now let's turn directly to the varieties of mineral wool. For a heater of such properties and sizes, most often there are only two main forms of execution:

• Rolls;
• Plates.

In rolls, mineral wool insulation is not produced so often, since it is convenient to work with rolls only in case of floor or attic insulation. It is especially convenient to use them for finishing unexploited attics, where it is enough to simply spread the roll.

In all other cases, it is more appropriate to buy plates. A feature of the mineral wool board is its efficiency. Plates are produced in acceptable sizes with a certain thickness. They are easy to lay, they are solid and are quickly processed.

In addition, the plates, even on the ceilings, can be laid independently, without resorting to the help of partners. Actually, this is signaled by almost all reviews from buyers.

4 Division into types by scope

The Rockwool company produces heaters in huge quantities. Moreover, the scope of their application is divided into all major types of construction work.

That is, almost everything can be insulated. From the roof, to the partitions or floor.

The main groups of Rockwool heaters concentrate on the following areas. Finish:

• Flat and pitched roofs;
• facades;
• Internal walls and partitions;
• Paulov();
• Arrangement of soundproofing and other additional works.

5 Rockwool for roofing

For roofing, Rockwool offers its customers Ruf and Light Butts slabs. These are special plates of a special type that were developed for specific tasks.

Light Butts samples have a low density and a high compression ratio. They are easy to mount between the rafters and in general wherever it is convenient for you. This heater is very versatile.

Ruf Butts models are their complete opposite. These are moderately heavy, extremely dense plates that can withstand enormous loads. They are designed for processing both non-exploited and exploited roofs.

The plates are all protected from water, extremely durable and easy to install.

6 Rockwool for facades

For facades, individual models from the Light Butts line are also often used. However, here the main load is taken by the Venti Butts line, which is intended for the arrangement of ventilated facades.

Such a heater is known for its hydrophobicity and lack of response to most atmospheric and domestic factors. In addition, the plates are specially designed for arrangement between frame elements.

7 Rockwool for walls and partitions

In the target area, basalt insulation boards are also used. Only here the main priority falls on the Light Butts Scandic insulation, which is almost ideal for the given work.

Rockwool Acoustic is used to insulate partitions and create full-fledged dividing lines. Plates of this type are known for their ability to dampen noise from external influences well, so they do an excellent job of forming separate partitions.

Moreover, these partitions are full-fledged, with their help it is possible to divide large rooms into small ones, while isolating them both from the point of view of the banal division of space, and from the point of view of noise emissions.

Warming of baths and saunas is carried out with the help of fully waterproofed Sauna Butts slabs.

8 Rockwool for floors

On the floors, you can use the same universal Rockwool Light Butts. In particular, it is perfect for mounting under logs. Only in this case, the logs will need to be properly fixed and sheathed with boards.

The most popular thermal insulation material is Rockwool Light Butts Scandic.

Under the screed, they buy Rockwool Floor - durable and extremely reliable plates with a low compression ratio, which are able to simultaneously withstand very serious loads without subsequent deformation.

If you strive to live in peace and comfort, then, like many others, you must be trying to protect your home from extraneous noise. Related issues here will be the insulation of the building and its protection from the summer heat. Quite often, materials based on mineral wool have recently been used as insulation. They allow you to solve the above problems. In general, the category "mineral wool", according to state standards, includes products that are classified into several varieties, among them: glass and slag wool.

For reference

Reviews

The described products are quite competitive, according to consumers, they have many positive features, among which are:

• fire safety;
• acoustic comfort;
• environmental friendliness;
• durability;
• ability to retain heat.

Mineral wool, when exposed to fire, will prevent its spread. This sometimes makes it possible to create suitable conditions for saving people. The fibers are able to undergo heating up to 1000 °C. In case of fire, structures covered with mineral wool can become protective.

When heated to extremes, the wool layer does not smoke or become a source of molten droplets. Rockwool mineral wool, according to buyers, provides acoustic comfort. Plates are able to absorb structural, vibrational and other noises. The protective layer copes with these tasks more effectively than similar materials. The manufacturer managed to achieve this property thanks to the chaotic interlacing of fibers, between which air cavities are formed, communicating with each other.

Why Choose Rockwool

Mineral wool has been awarded the EcoMaterialGreen safety label, which indicates environmental friendliness. You can use thermal insulation in buildings for any purpose, even for warming children's rooms. The product has a positive This indicates that the energy saved exceeds the energy costs of production.

Consumers also like durability. It is provided with a special structure that guarantees shape stability and rigidity. You can not be afraid of the deformation of the plates, which do not shrink during the entire service life. Buyers especially emphasize that mineral wool does an excellent job of retaining heat.

It has a low thermal conductivity. The material can be compared to a wall made of timber. The same amount of heat will pass through a 100 mm layer of insulation and a 440 mm layer of timber. These parameters can be compared with brickwork, the thickness of which reaches 1960 mm.

Specifications

Rockwool mineral wool is a heater that has outstanding technical characteristics. For example, the thermal conductivity coefficient is equal to the limit from 0.036 to 0.038 W / mK. These parameters are among the best among the heaters of the described class. The most commonly used thickness is 50 mm. Shrinkage of a cloth does not occur even at long operation.

The structure is unique, it suggests a chaotic arrangement of fibers. This difference can be distinguished when comparing mineral wool with fiberglass - in the latter, the threads are arranged almost longitudinally. This quality has a positive effect on rigidity and tear resistance. The fibers interact with each other, so the insulation, even when installed vertically, does not fold under its own weight.

Rockwool affects thermal conductivity. The relationship between mass and volume is reversed. The lower the density, the higher the thermal conductivity will be. The mentioned characteristic is equal to the limit of 35-37 kg/m 3 . During the production process, the material is treated with water-repellent oils, they provide hydrophobicity, which is expressed in the ability not to absorb, but to repel moisture. This feature can be called unique, because in a humid environment the material does not collapse. Therefore, it can be used even in wet areas.

Rockwool insulation has a fairly high vapor permeability, it is 0.25 mg / (m h Pa). Thermal insulation passes air and steam through itself. This gives a positive effect, because condensate does not accumulate during operation, and the walls breathe freely. Insulation is also capable of performing soundproofing functions. The wave, passing through the layer of insulation, attenuates, sound absorption occurs.

Compressibility and bioinertness

The structure of the insulation is unique and has many air pores, so the material is easily compressed - from the original volume, it can change the size by 30%. The fibers have a certain melting point, so the material under fire conditions will be able to protect structures from fire, slowing down the process of pore destruction. The insulation begins to melt at 1000 ° C. Rockwool insulation is also good because it is not able to become a suitable environment for the life of living organisms. This applies not only to bacteria, but also to small rodents.

50 mm insulation

Rockwool 50mm mineral wool has a durable binder among its ingredients. The material is used for thermal insulation of pipes, roofs and walls. It can become part of construction and engineering industrial buildings, office buildings and residential buildings. Insulation can be used for interior floors.

A truly exclusive product is Sandik slabs, which are produced specifically for private housing construction. At the final stage, the sheets are compressed, which saves space during transportation. The material is compressed by 60%.

The thermal conductivity of Rockwool mineral wool is quite low. The edges of such products can spring, so installation is quick and easy. Water absorption by volume is 1.5%. The material is transported in vacuum packaging, so the consumer does not have to transport air anymore. You will transport only the material.

It should be laid horizontally, and it is recommended to use covered vehicles for transportation. The described material is manufactured in a standard size, which is 800x600 mm. As an example of a 50 mm slab, Light Butts can also be considered, which is specifically designed for lightweight roofing and lightweight structures.

Many in their lives have encountered construction and search for information about a particular product. This article will discuss a review and comparison of the world-famous Rockwool products.

After reading this article, you will know:

• What is ROCKWOOL
• You can watch the video: The history of the manufacturer ROCKWOOL
• Find out what types of ROCKWOOL heaters are and where they can be used
• You can get acquainted with the summary table of technical characteristics and the price of Rockwool products
• Decide on the choice of insulation to insulate the surface you need.

For those who don't know what ROCKWOOL is

ROCKWOOL is a group of companies that is the leader in the production of stone wool insulation, under the world famous brand "ROCKWOOL", not only in Russia, but also in Europe, Asia and other continents of the world.
Since 1909, the Rukvol company has been constantly developing and improving its technologies, thanks to which the manufacturer has launched a diverse line of stone wool heaters on the market, which are designed for insulation, sound insulation and fire protection of residential, office, industrial and engineering buildings and structures.

To date In addition to stone wool insulation, the ROCKWOOL brand also produces acoustic suspended ceilings, road noise sound barriers, decorative façade panels and soil substrates for the horticultural industry.

Video. History of Rockwool

Rockwool insulation range

Thanks to modern equipment and the latest production technologies, in the assortment of ROCKWOOL heaters there are a dozen types of insulation that the manufacturer produces in different thicknesses, which allows you to insulate almost various objects and surfaces.

Among them are:

LIGHT BATTS is the best basalt insulation for private housing construction, which is produced in the form of slabs 1000x600x50mm and 1000x600x100mm in size.

They are warmed: attics, balconies, loggias, frame walls, partitions, floors, roofing and ceilings between floors.

LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC XL 100mm is a new, most popular and convenient insulation for private housing construction, with an increased size of plates. The size of one plate is 1200x600x100mm.

They are warmed: attics, balconies, loggias, partitions, floors, ceilings between floors and walls.

ACOUSTIC BUTTS is a specially developed technology for the production of stone slabs, in which the fibers of stone wool are arranged in a chaotic manner, which provides the maximum sound insulation effect and helps to provide a sound barrier from ambient noise and very loud human speech.

They are warmed: middle layers inside the premises (partitions in residential premises, overlappings along the logs).

FLOOR BATTS are rigid boards specially designed for thermal insulation of floors with loads up to 3 kPa.

They are warmed: ceilings between floors, as well as for laying under a cement screed, warm floors and a screed from GVL and DSP.

FIRE BATTS are high-temperature stone slabs that are covered with aluminum foil, which allows you to create a reflective effect of heat and avoid heating neighboring structures.

They are warmed: fireplaces and stoves in private houses, as well as piping systems.

SAUNA BATTS are lightweight heat-resistant plates with foil, on the one hand, which are produced specifically for rooms with high humidity and temperature, where it is important to reduce electricity costs and keep the heat in the room.

They are warmed: walls in steam rooms, saunas and baths. Can be used without vapor barrier.

ROCK FACADE (FACADE BATTS) are moderately rigid thermal insulation boards that are resistant to deformation and perfectly retain heat.

They are warmed: facades of buildings, for subsequent plastering and finishing with siding panels.

WIRED MAT is a technical insulation with stainless wire, which is produced in rolls with and without foil.

They are warmed: air ducts, high-temperature equipment and pipelines for heat preservation and fire protection.

TECH BATTS is a line of flat heaters produced by the manufacturer with different densities for warming even surfaces.

They are warmed: technological equipment, vertical and horizontal surfaces, stoves, fireplaces and other flat surfaces.

ROOF BATTS are basalt slabs with increased rigidity, which are resistant to mechanical stress and are available in the following stiffness options:

• RUF BATTS - 160 kg/m3.
• RUF BATTS V - 190 kg/m3.
• Ruf Butts N - 115 kg/m3.
• Roof Butts S - 135 kg/m3.
• Roof Butts EXTRA - the layers differ in density and are glued together: the outer layer is 210 kg/m3, the inner layer is 135 kg/m3. There is a marking on each side of the mat.
• Roof Butts OPTIMA - the layers differ in density and are glued together: the outer layer is 200 kg/m3, the inner layer is 115 kg/m3. There is a marking on each side of the mat.

They are warmed: roofs, when installing attic floors.

Rockwool stone wool properties

Table of technical characteristics and prices for Rockwool insulation (prices are valid as of 01.02.16)

	LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC *	LIGHT BATTS *	ACOUSTIC BATTS *	FLOR BATTS *	FIRE BATTS *	SAUNA BATTS *	FACADE BATTS *	WIRED MAT *	TECH BATTS *	ROOT BATTS *
Density (types, separated by commas), kg/m3	30	35-37	45	125	100	40	145	50, 80, 105	90, 110	115, 135, 160, 190
Thermal conductivity, W/(m K), λ10	0,036
Thermal conductivity, W/(m K), λA	0,042
Thermal conductivity, W/(m K), λB	0,045
Peel strength of layers, kPa	from 4 to 15 depending on the type of insulation*
Compressive strength at 10% deformation, kPa	from 20 to 65 depending on the type of insulation*
Vapor permeability, mg/m h Pa	0,3
Water absorption, no more than kg/m²	1
Service life, more than 50 years	Yes
Degree of combustibility	NG
Insulate construction types:
attic	+	+
balconies	+	+
loggias	+	+
frame walls	+	+
partitions	+	+	+
floors	+	+
roofing	+	+
floors between floors	+	+
joist overlaps			+
ceilings between floors, under a cement screed				+
fireplaces, stoves, high-temperature equipment					+			+	+
piping systems, air ducts					+			+
walls in steam rooms, saunas, baths						+
building facades							+
vertical and horizontal surfaces									+
roofing										+
Price per pack, rub (thickness 50 mm)	475	598	733	761	2781 (30mm)	682	796	1230	925	955

* - Detailed information and current prices you can always find in