Slag Wool Composition with Basalt for Acoustic Performance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mineral wool production methods struggle to achieve a balance between high slag content for economic and environmental benefits while maintaining acceptable fiber solubility and acoustic performance, particularly in producing large diameter fibers suitable for high-performance ceiling tiles.

Innovation Solution

A slag wool composition comprising 60 to 80 wt.% blast furnace slag and 20 to 40 wt.% basalt, with an acid-to-base ratio of 1.20 to 1.70, is used to produce fibers with diameters between 4.0 and 10.0 microns, reducing shot content and lowering melt temperature, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and acoustic properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high slag content is used in mineral wool production, then economic and environmental benefits are improved, but fiber solubility and acoustic performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslag contentVSAvoidfiber solubility control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing basalt (20-40 wt.%) with specific oxide content (SiO2: 35-45%, Al2O3: 10-20%, CaO: 5-15%, MgO: 3-10%) to adjust the A/B ratio and control fiber solubility while maintaining high slag content (60-80 wt.%)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining blast furnace slag and basalt rock in specific proportions, where basalt acts as a complementary material to modify the chemical properties of slag-based mineral wool, achieving both economic benefits and performance requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If high slag content is used in mineral wool production, then economic and environmental benefits are improved, but acoustic performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslag contentVSAvoidacoustic performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by adding basalt to adjust the A/B ratio to 1.05-1.65, which influences fiber morphology and diameter (4-10 microns), thereby improving acoustic performance while maintaining high slag content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite system of slag and basalt creates fibers with optimized properties for acoustic applications, where basalt contributes to fiber diameter control and structural characteristics that enhance sound absorption and noise reduction coefficients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional mineral wool composition is used, then production is simpler, but energy efficiency and shot content reduction are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters (slag 60-80 wt.%, basalt 20-40 wt.%) to lower the melt temperature and improve energy efficiency, while maintaining a relatively simple two-component formulation that is easy to manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution results in slag wool with increased fiber diameter and reduced shot content, improving acoustic performance and energy efficiency, making it suitable for high-performance ceiling tiles with enhanced noise reduction coefficients and reduced sound transmission.

Implementation Method 1

adding the basalt components to the slag wool composition... lowering melt temperature, thereby enhancing energy efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelt temperature reduction: Melting

Implementation Method 2

sound absorption is typically measured by its Noise Reduction Coefficient... an acoustical panel with an NRC value of 0.60 absorbs 60% of the sound that strikes it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3475233B1Large diameter SLAG wool, composition and method of making same
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 USG INTERIORS INC

AI summary

The disclosure provides a slag wool composition including about 60 to about 80 wt.% blast furnace slag and about 20 to about 40 wt.% basalt, based on the total weight of the inorganic raw materials, wherein the composition has an A/B ratio in a range of about 1.20 to about 1.70. The disclosure further provides a slag wool produced using the slag wool composition of the disclosure, wherein the slag wool has a fiber diameter in a range of about 4.0 microns to about 10.0 microns. The disclosure further provides a method for the manufacture of slag wool.