Our publicly funded project on the multiphysics simulation of stone-wool fire resistance is now ending. In this project, we studied the thermal behaviour of stone wool and developed simulation models to extend the standard test results. The project was made in collaboration with Owens Corning Paroc who provided experimental test data from 30 different stone wool samples.
The work was published in Fire Technology.
The work was funded by Palosuojelurahasto.
The main conclusions were
- Stone wool, as other non-combustible, A1 class insulation materias contain varying amounts of organic materials that react with oxygen during fire, and produce heat that increases wool temperature even tens of degrees.
- Temperature increase is highest in stone wools with high organic content, but the amount of organic content alone does not explain the whole phenomenon. It is necessary to consider the transport of oxygen too.
- The processes can be best simulated with models that include both heat conduciton, mass transfer, and heterogenous reactions.
- Closing the stone wool between non-permeable linings, like steel sheets in sandwich elements, will prevent oxygen diffusion into the wool, and reduce the cold-side temperatures.
