Synthetic Mineral Fibres

What are Synthetic Mineral Fibres?

Synthetic Mineral Fibre (SMF) is a general term for different inorganic synthetic fibres, mostly made from glass, rock, alumina and silica.

Depending on the basic material, the fibres are categorised in mineral wool (rockwool / glasswool), ceramic or glass fibres.

Mineral wool fibres stand for around 96% of all SMF products, ceramic and glass fibres only for 5%.

Properties

Glasswool and rockwool are easy to handle, inexpensive and good insulators. As a result, a wide variety of inorganic and organic natural and synthetic fibres can be found in industrial applications.

Synthetic mineral fibres often replace Asbestos, because they have similar technical properties: They are non-flammable, light and yet stable.

Usage and applications

Mineral wool is mostly used as thermal and acoustic insulation, for roofs and lightweight walls,  pipes and boilers, ceiling panels, fire protection or insulation against cold weather.

Examples for the usage of ceramic fibres include fireproof coatings in kiln and blast furnaces, door openings of tiled stoves, seals and filters in the high temperature range or for fireproof textiles.

Risks

Unfortunately, synthetic mineral fibres are not always risk-free and can release respirable fibres. SMF produced before the year 2000 are even suspected to be carcinogen.

Released fibres can also affect the eyes, the upper respiratory tract and the skin. It may lead to irritation of the mucous membranes in the throat area, trachea and bronchial tubes. Allergic reactions can also occur as well as conjunctivitis and corneal inflammation.