The term Man-Made Mineral Fibres (MMMF) is the generic name for a wide variety of manufactured fibrous materials. It is of a woolly consistency normally made of molten glass, rock or slag. Individually they may be known as glass wool, rock wool or slag wool according to the materials from which they are manufactured. The term does not include naturally occurring silicate fibers such as asbestos. It also does not include Man-made organic fibers such as nylon and rayon.
There is a wide variety of MMMF available. Man-made mineral fiber is widely used:
- as thermal and acoustic insulation in buildings and process plant
- for structural fire protection
- for pipe insulation
- for high-efficiency filtration
- generally, as a replacement for asbestos, use of which is now banned
MMMF is commonly used in insulation boards, blankets for the purpose of heat treatment, as electrical insulation and in the reinforcement of plastic and cement.
Commonly used Man-Made Mineral Fiber (MMMF)
Some of the commonly used ManMade Mineral Fibers (MMMF) are:
Glass Fiber
The glass fiber produced has an average diameter of around 4 to 9 µm, which is in the respirable range (capable of being breathed in). The fiber mat may also contain spherical particles of glass. These spherical particles are typically 100 µm in diameter.
Rock wool
Ceramic Fiber
Ceramic fibers have been manufactured and used worldwide since 1940’s. They are produced at 2000º C and the manufactured material is also able to withstand temperatures up to 1260º C to 1400º C. The material is also resistant to water and most chemicals and used to produce high-temperature refractory linings, thermal insulation blankets, felts, ropes, gaskets, and papers.
Types of Man-Made Mineral Fibers
Type | Name | Some Uses |
---|---|---|
Glass | Fibreglass | Reinforced plastics and cements |
Glass Wool | Heat resistant textiles | |
Glass Roving | Insulation | |
cont Filament | ||
Mineral wools | Rock Wool | Thermal Insulation |
Slag Wool | ||
Ceramic Fibers | Safil | High-Temperature Insulation |
Fibrefrax | -Power Stations | |
Triton | Furnace Lining | |
Refrasil | Gas Turbines | |
Zircar | ||
Cerachem | ||
Refractory fibers | Boron Nitride/Carbide | Limited specialist use |
Silicon Nitride/Carbide | ||
Special Purpose superfine fibers | Refrasil | Manufacture of special papers eg. filter papers |
Microquartz | ||
Min-K |