Glass wool is a fibrous thermal insulation material and a type of mineral wool. It is used in construction, where certain rules must be followed when using glass wool, since this material cannot be considered harmless.
Glass wool production
Glass fiber is obtained from the same raw materials used in the production of plain glass. Glass wool is also often made from waste from the glass industry. It consists of soda, sand, dolomite, borax and cullet, which are put into the bunker and begin to melt there into a homogeneous mass at a temperature of 1400 ° C. In this case, the resulting mixture must have the desired mechanical properties to obtain very thin filaments.
These filaments are the result of the blowing of the molten glass by the steam emitted from the centrifuge.
In the process of fiber formation, the mass is treated with polymer aerosols, and aqueous phenol-aldehyde polymer solutions modified with urea act as binders. The aerosol-impregnated filament is placed on a conveyor roll, where it is leveled in several stages, forming a homogeneous glass-polymer carpet. Then the thread is polymerized at a temperature of 250 ° C, due to which polymer bonds are formed and the remaining moisture is removed. As a result, the glass wool becomes hard and takes on a shade of yellow amber. At the end, it is cooled and cut into rolls.
Danger of glass wool
The main danger of glass wool is its thinnest needles and dust, which get on the unprotected skin of the hands, mucous membranes and into the respiratory system, therefore, working with it without a respirator, gloves and goggles is strictly prohibited. Old glass wool samples can significantly harm the exposed parts of the skin, so it is better to purchase a modern material that does not irritate the hands, does not burn and has a soft structure.
Glass wool is not recommended for repairs in open areas - in other cases, its use is quite acceptable.
Small crystals of glass wool that have entered the body are very difficult to remove. Even densely plastered glass wool can become a slow poisoner - it is enough for one piece of plaster to fall off and it will begin to completely saturate the air with itself. If glass wool gets on your hands or mucous membranes, you should not try to erase them - the crystals will enter the skin even deeper. You need to immediately take a cool shower (not hot!) Without gels and soap, and then let the skin dry on its own and take a cold shower again, but with a detergent. If glass wool gets into your eyes, you need to rinse them under a strong pressure of cold water and consult an ophthalmologist. If glass wool is inhaled, it is imperative to see a doctor.
