What is slag wool, how is it produced, its main technical characteristics, pros and cons, features of the choice of material, an overview of manufacturers and a short instruction on how to install a heater with your own hands.
Disadvantages are slag
This is a specific material in which the percentage of residual acidity of blast furnace slag is high, which makes the insulation not as practical as other types of mineral wool.
In addition, the disadvantages of slag wool include the following:
- Poor resistance to sudden changes in temperature … Insulation can lose its insulating properties if it is frequently exposed to temperature fluctuations.
- Good water absorption capacity … This factor provokes a number of negative moments. So, getting wet, the slag wool ceases to function as a heat insulator. In addition, when moisture gets on the material, acid is formed, which corrodes metal parts, fasteners and elements.
- Limited scope of use … Slag wool is not recommended to be laid as insulation on buildings where there is a high level of humidity (baths, saunas), building facades due to the risk of getting wet. In addition, wooden houses should not be insulated with this material either. If it gets wet, then the wood under the layer of heat insulator will rot.
- High fragility and sharpness of fibers … Like glass wool, it has sharp and brittle fibers, which are dangerous if they come into contact with open areas of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, it is necessary to work with the material with the obligatory use of protective equipment.
- Low vibration resistance … Under strong vibration loads, the slag wool will settle, and its thermal conductivity will increase.
- The presence of harmful substances in the composition … Many insulation materials of not very high quality contain chemical volatile compounds, for example, phenol formaldehyde.
Selection criteria slag
When choosing slag wool, you should, first of all, pay attention to the material from well-known manufacturers, which has good reviews. In no case, do not buy insulation from little-known brands at dubious points of sale, where they cannot provide you with the entire list of documents, certificates and licenses for the goods.
Also, consider these guidelines:
- The highest quality mineral fiber insulation is offered by German manufacturers. Only they have the most picky certification bodies that will not release low-quality or potentially dangerous goods on the market.
- Check with the seller in which direction the fibers of the heat insulator are located. When placed vertically, the slag wool will store heat well and absorb sound. If it is chaotic, it will be more durable and withstand dynamic load.
- Check the GOST of the product on the packaging if the slag is of domestic production. Its presence guarantees the quality of products.
- Choose the material that best suits your needs. The density of the slag wool can be different, and the scope of its use depends on it. The density of 75 kilograms per cubic meter is suitable for insulation of roofs, attics. Material with a density of 125 kg / m3 applied on floors, ceilings, interior walls.
Price and manufacturers of slag
Many large manufacturers of mineral insulation are gradually abandoning the manufacture of slag wool. Those that still produce it have a limited assortment.
The following domestic manufacturers of this insulation are worthy of attention: ZAO Minvata, OOO Zavod Techno, ZAO Zavod Minplita, OOO Kombinat of Thermal Insulation Products. In addition, local representative offices of large brands such as Rockwool, Isoroc produce a series of thermal insulators for technical purposes based on blast furnace slag. The price of slag wool is about 500 rubles per package.
Brief installation instructions for slag wool
Considering that this insulation can react critically to the effects of moisture, it is not recommended to install it on the facade of the building. Also, do not attach slag wool to a metal frame. If you plan to insulate vertical or inclined surfaces, then use a wooden crate. The installation diagram of the heat insulator is as follows:
- We prepare wooden beams 50x50 or 50x100 millimeters in size. We select the thickness and width taking into account the width of the insulation.
- We fasten the waterproofing to the surface using construction brackets, with an overlap of 10 centimeters.
- In order not to cut the slag wool once again and not to raise harmful dust from the microparticles of fibers, it is recommended to install the crate with a step for the width of the mat. Usually it is about 50 centimeters.
- Plates should fit tightly into the holes between adjacent beams and fit end to end.
- The insulation does not require additional fastening.
- We put a vapor barrier on top of the slag. We also fasten it with an overlap and glue the joints with special tape.
On top of such a structure, you can install an additional crate for further wall sheathing. In the process of work, make sure that the slag wool does not come into contact with metal elements. You also need to be careful not to allow open areas of insulation. First, it can get wet. Secondly, the slag is dusty and will create an unfavorable microclimate in the room. Watch a video about the production of stone wool:
Slag wool today is the least popular among all types of mineral fiber insulation. According to its characteristics, it is inferior to many new thermal insulation materials. However, the material is still used to insulate non-residential and industrial premises.
