Synthetic Mineral Fibre: Definition, Usage, and Advantages

This document provides an overview of synthetic mineral fibre, including its definition, usage, and advantages. It discusses the appropriate techniques for handling and controlling respirable fibers. Additionally, it explores alternatives to rockwool. The document references various studies and research articles to support the information provided.

Running head: GEOGRAPHY
Geography
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1GEOGRAPHY
Question 1
Synthetic Mineral Fibre can be defined as a general term that is used for describing a fibrous
materials that is from glass, rock, alumina as well as silica. The aforementioned dangerous
construction materials and chemicals are used as electrical insulation and plumbing products in
textiles, strengthened plastics and concrete High-temperature mineral wool can be defined as a
type of mineral wool created for high-temperature insulation (Al Rikabi et al. 2018). In industrial
furnaces and foundries, this form of insulation is generally used. Rockwool Used in limpet
products like acoustic insulation and fire-rated materials in shaped insulation. SMF products are
used in commercial as well as residential buildings for insulation from sound and temperature.
The usage of SMF can be segregated into four parts that includes the following:
Continuous Glass Filaments Used for textiles, reinforced plastics as well as
concrete and as electrical insulation and
plumbing materials.
Fibreglass, glass fibre or glass wool Used chiefly for insulation mats.
Rockwool Used in formed insulation, limpet materials,
acoustic insulation and firerating materials.
Ceramic fibres Used as insulation blankets as well as for high
temperature applications and fire-rated products.
Question 2
Some of the major advantages for which the Sythetic Mineral materials are used are as follows;

2GEOGRAPHY
 Rock wool: considering the fact that rock wool is installed as sheets inside the walls, the
chief reason behind this includes its fire resistant property. Rock wool is fire resistant and
possesses the ability of withstanding extremely high temperatures along with noise
resistance. According to researchers, the temperature resisting ability of rock wool is
much higher compared to that of the fibre glass.
 The rock wool stone wool possess the potential to withstand heat as high as 10000 degree
Celsius without getting melted. Thus it possesses the potential to slow down the spread of
fire in properties (Berardi and Iannace 2017).
 Rock wool also possess efficient thermal insulating properties. When attached to the
outside of a property, 120 mm of our dual density plates will reduce the u-value to 0.3,
which implies that the building will then comply with the building regulations. It implies
enhanced thermal comfort for the occupants as the estate will remain at more even
temperatures as well as reduced charges for energy (Napper and Thompson 2016.).
 When it comes to the chief advantages of using Continuous Glass Filaments, it includes
its light weight property, high strength, easily shapable structure, corrosion resistance and
durability. The composite part helps the mentioned material to save the weight compared
to the steel parts (Kobayashi et al. 2016). Along with this, considering the fact that glass
fibres are lighter than steel, they are easier to use.
 The Continuous Glass Filaments were also popular for its easy to shape property.
Composites can be moulded into complex shapes at a cost that is relatively low. The
flexibility of the product offers the designers with extensive latitude while designing new
products.
Question 3

3GEOGRAPHY
For each job involving SMF, appropriate techniques should be implemented to eliminate or
properly control the amount of respirable fibers in the workplace atmosphere. In specific, fibrous
dust on building locations is less simple to restrict and regulate and it is very essential to
guarantee that employees are protected from over-exposure in building as well as in the
manufacturing industry (Berardi and Iannace 2017). In managing SMF, the National Code of
Practice describes secure working procedures and overall duties. It refers to all SMF apps and
manufacturing, assembly, removal or other associated operations.
Below are few of the policies outlined in the National Code of Practice. Distinct schedules for
safe working with rockwool, ceramic fiber as well as glasswool are provided in the Code.
Therefore, for more information on these regulations, all workplaces using SMF should abide by
the Code.
 Employers should pick goods with the lowest breathable fiber content. Ceramic fibers, for
instance, should be prevented and non-fibrous safer products need to replace fibrous products.
 Workplaces developed SMF should design process which will ensure the lowest amount of
fibre particles in the air.
 Hand tools should e prioritize over power tools and they needs to be fitted with local exhaust
ventilation during dust generation.
 For removing build up of fibers and/or dust, a periodic clean-up should be performed. It is
suggested to use wet mopping as well as wiping or industrial vacuum cleaner.dry or compressed
air shoal not be used during cleaning. To avoid fiber and/or dust pollution, SMF waste needs to
be gathered in plastic bags and disposed of in accordance with legislation (Berardi and Iannace
2017).

4GEOGRAPHY
 SMF material needs to be stored in specific containers as well as under sheet covers.
Question 4
Considering their hazardous influence on the environment, in the following paragraph, some of
the alternatives of Rockwool has been discussed.
Fibre glass batt insulation: cellulose loose-fill insulation is designed to be blown as well as
compacted into enclosed spaces. This makes it a popular choice for walls and floors where it is
easy to cover the insulation. The R-value of loose-fill cellulose isolation may differ, with an
average of about 2.5 per inch of isolation being mounted (Xavier, Rodney and Prakash 2019).
The material's lighter weight makes it a very flexible option and can assist you save cash on your
energy bills like any insulation material.
Alternative of glass fibre: Basalt fibre is included as a more sustainable alternative to glass fibre.
Hard, thick volcanic rock found all over the globe in most nations, basalt is an igneous rock,
meaning it started in a molten state (Dris et al. 2016). Basalt has been used to create tiles and
plates for architectural apps in casting procedures for many years. In addition, cast basalt liners
for steel tubing in industrial applications display very elevated abrasion resistance. Basalt is also
used as an aggregate in concrete in broken form.

5GEOGRAPHY
Reference List
Al Rikabi, F.T., Sargand, S.M., Khoury, I. and Hussein, H.H., 2018. Material properties of
synthetic fiber–reinforced concrete under freeze-thaw conditions. Journal of Materials in Civil
Engineering, 30(6), p.04018090.
Berardi, U. and Iannace, G., 2017. Predicting the sound absorption of natural materials: Best-fit
inverse laws for the acoustic impedance and the propagation constant. Applied Acoustics, 115,
pp.131-138.
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Saad, M., Mirande, C. and Tassin, B., 2016. Synthetic fibers in atmospheric
fallout: a source of microplastics in the environment?. Marine pollution bulletin, 104(1-2),
pp.290-293.
Kobayashi, H., Terada, D., Todokoro, M., Shimatani, A. and Kataoka, Y., JNC Corp,
2016. Hemostatic material containing nano-fiber containing synthetic collagen. U.S. Patent
9,327,050.
Napper, I.E. and Thompson, R.C., 2016. Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from
domestic washing machines: effects of fabric type and washing conditions. Marine pollution
bulletin, 112(1-2), pp.39-45.
Xavier, J., Rodney, K.D. and Prakash, S.J., 2019. Mechanical Characterisation of Epoxy
Polymer Composite Reinforced with Ramie and Synthetic Fiber.