Glass wool 1119831 205441099 2008-04-13T23:44:22Z Keilana 4264700 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/138.89.100.203|138.89.100.203]] ([[User talk:138.89.100.203|talk]]) to last version by Ilgiz {{mergeto|fiberglass|talk:fiberglass#Merge from Glass wool|date=April 2008}} '''Glass wool''' is similar to [[steel wool]]. It is simply very thin strings of [[glass]] arranged into a spongy texture. Glass wool is used widely as an [[Thermal insulation|insulating]] material. ==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 fibers. The cohesion and mechanical strength of the product is obtained by the presence of a binder that “cements” the fibers together. Ideally, a drop of bonder is placed at each fiber 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. Thanks to its intertwined flexible fibers, glass wool offers excellent [[fire-resistant]] properties, as a thermal insulation material (for example in loft of wall cavity insulation) and is also widely used as an absorbent material in acoustic treatments such as sound insulation, absorbent ceiling tiles. Its light weight, flexibility and elasticity make it easy to install, which is another essential condition for effective insulation. Glass wool is an excellent heat insulator.It can be woven into a cloth which has the additional properties of being light,strong,water-proof and corrosion free. ==Studies of side effects== A 2002 summary by [[International Agency for Research on Cancer]] puts insulation glass wool into [[List of IARC Group 3 carcinogens|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.<ref>[http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol81/volume81.pdf 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</ref> 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 health risk to general population.<ref>[http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/prod/vitre_e.html The Safety of Manmade Vitreous Fibres], [[Health Canada]], December 19, 2006</ref> ==See Also== * [[Fiberglass]] * [[Bronze wool]] * [[Mineral wool]] ==References== <references/> [[Category:Glass types]] [[Category:Insulators]] [[de:Mineralwolle]] [[fr:Laine de verre]] [[it:Lana di vetro]] [[nl:Glaswol]] [[ja:グラスウール]] [[pl:Wełna szklana]] [[sv:Glasull]]