TECHNICAL COMPARISON BETWEEN GLASSWOOL & ROCKWOOL

INSULATION

Fibreglass
Composition

Shot contents
ASTM C1335
Surface Finish &
Feel

KIMMCO Fiber Glass insulation products are

made of thermally and acoustic efficient
fiberized glass bounded with thermosetting
resin.

Rockwool
made from basalt, dolomite, limestone.
Contains up to 25% of unfiberized
materials, which means dust, fiber
migrations.

Nil

Up to 25%

As no unfiberised parts (SHOTS) and the

fibers are FINE, fiberglass insulation
products is having SMOOTH finish and feel

Rock wool comprises of COURSE fiber

and due to the SHOT content, it has a
ROUGH finish and feel.

Thermal
Performances
Thermal
Conductivity (k
value)

2-3 times less density of rock wool products

2-3 times more density of rock wool products
required to achieve same thermal performances required to achieve same thermal performances
of Glass wool products

Thermal Resistance
(R value)
Acoustic
performances
Noise Reduction
Coefficient (NRC
value)
Resistance to low
frequencies
(20 to 185 HZ),
generated by
HVAC equipments
Fire rating ASTM
E136
Flame spread
Smoke developed
ASTM E84/UL723

2-3 times less density of rock wool products

required to achieve same acoustical
performances;

2-3 times more density of rock wool products

required to achieve same acoustical
performances of Glass wool products

Excellent
No damage

Shots are slowly breaking out from the rock

fibers, under the effects of low frequency
vibrations that leads to sagging of
products, and weight losses.

non combustible

non combustible

Not over 25
Not over 50
UL 723 file R 9703

Not over 25
Not over 50

Corrosion

Fiberglass insulation products do not cause Since it contains leachable Chloride and
or accelerate corrosion
Sulphide any contact to metal with wet or
moist condition may cause and accelerate
corrosion. So it is not advisable to use on
metal surface if the temp. is less than 150 C

Vibration
Resistance
( sample assembly
is vibrated for 96
hours at a
frequency of 20Hz
with an amplitude
of 0.9 inch )

The weight loss observed for fiberglass of

12 kg/m3 density less than 0.2%

The weight loss observed for Rockwool of

30 kg/m3 density more than 20.0%

With NILL sagging

With 5 Inch sagging

Important to know
Effect of vibration on thermal ( R value) and acoustic ( STC value) performances
of partition wall with rock wool as cavity fill insulation element in the specified
construction of Partition
Rock wool insulations made from basalt, dolomite, limestone irrespective of its manufacturer
contains shot contents (unfiberized materials) in significant quantities (some times as high as
25%).
Rock wool insulations when tested for vibration resistance (sample assembly is vibrated vertically
for 96 hours at a frequency of 20 Hz with an amplitude of 0.9 inches) in accordance to BS 2972
shows the weight loss of around 26.6% and sagging of around 5inch.
Sound energy is perceived as vibration. When rock wool insulation is used as cavity fill
insulation element in the specified construction of Partition Wall, shots are slowly breaking
out from the rock fibres under the effect of low frequency vibrations which generate sagging of
products. This leads to creation of voids and thus acoustic (STC value) and thermal (R value)
performances of partition wall starts deteriorating and these performances are drastically
deteriorated over a period of time.

How easy to handle the material

EASE of handling the material on the jobsite is assessed from its Tensile Grab Strength which
is a measure of the force required to tear an insulation material apart. A high tensile grab

strength is the reflection of the integrity of the fiber-fiber bonding, fiber orientation
throughout the insulation. Fiberglass has almost double the Tensile Grab Strength when
compared to the ROCKWOOL. In practical terms the fiberglass does not break apart upon
handling. Breakage increases cost and compromises efficiency of installation on the grab.
Because of above characteristic FIBERGLASS IS MOST ADVISABLE FOR ROOF AND
WALL INSULATION OF PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING SYSTEMS. Due to the excellent
strength and light weight of FIBERGLASS it can be stretched maximum to avoid any
sagging . This can avoid usage of Wire mesh to protect insulation from sagging.
On the contrary Rockwool cannot be stretched; resulted in sagging after some time ; that is
why it needs wire mesh to hold . This adds Cost of installation.

for KUWAIT INSULATING MATERIAL MANUFACTURING CO. S. A. K.

Dr. Kailash Chandra

Sr. Manager Technical