Comparison of rock wool and glass wool
| Comparison Dimensions | rock wool | glass wool |
| Raw Materials and Processing | It is made primarily from natural rocks such as basalt and diabase, as well as slag, through high-temperature melting and centrifugal fiber processing. | Glass is made primarily from raw materials such as quartz sand, limestone, and soda ash, through melting and centrifugal blowing into fibers. |
| Appearance and Feel | The fibers are relatively coarse and short, yellowish-brown or dark brown in color, and have a prickly feel to the touch. | The fibers are long, thin, and flexible, and are pure white or pale yellow in color. They are relatively soft to the touch and have good elasticity. |
| Core Performance | High temperature resistance (maximum service temperature can reach over 900℃), high strength, and good tensile properties. | Excellent thermal insulation performance, good sound absorption, and lightweight. |
| Density Range | The concentration is relatively high, generally between 40-200 kg/m³. | Lower, generally between 10-64 kg/m³ |
| Thermal Conductivity (Insulation) | At room temperature, it is approximately 0.029-0.046 W/(m·K), and its thermal insulation advantage is significant at high temperatures. | At room temperature, it is typically ≤0.042 W/(m·K), exhibiting excellent general insulation performance. |
How to choose between rock wool and glass wool?
1. Choose based on operating temperature and environment
Rock wool: If your application is for building exterior wall insulation, high-temperature industrial equipment (such as boilers and flues), or ship cabins, where high-temperature resistance, tensile strength, and fire resistance are extremely important, rock wool is a more suitable choice.
Glass wool: If used for roofing, wall insulation, air conditioning ducts, or indoor sound insulation in general buildings or workshops, where insulation efficiency, lightweight, and sound absorption are paramount, glass wool excels.
2. Choose based on performance requirements
Rock wool's advantages: Its high strength and excellent high-temperature resistance make it an expert in solving "fire" and "strength" problems. Furthermore, water-repellent rock wool, made with added water-repellent agents, performs excellently in humid environments.
Glass wool's advantages: Its lightweight and excellent sound absorption properties make it a master at solving "cold," "noise," and "weight reduction" problems. Its fiber elasticity also makes it more suitable for filling irregular spaces.
3.Choose based on ease of installation
Glass wool is soft and has a low density, allowing it to be cut and rolled as needed, making installation very convenient.
Rock wool is relatively hard, requiring sharper tools for cutting, and produces more dust during installation, necessitating protective measures. However, the rigidity of rock wool boards also makes them easier to secure to walls.
