In building insulation and HVAC engineering, glass wool and rubber-plastic insulation materials are both frequently used insulation products. They are often compared in actual projects for different systems and environments. So, what are the essential differences between glass wool and rubber-plastic insulation materials? This article will systematically analyze them from multiple dimensions, including material properties, insulation performance, fire resistance, and application scenarios, to help clarify project selection.

I. Material Properties and Structural Differences

1. Material Characteristics of Glass Wool

Glass wool is an inorganic fiber insulation material, mainly made from inorganic minerals such as quartz sand and limestone, melted and fiberized at high temperatures. Its internal structure consists of numerous interwoven, long, thin fibers, forming a stable porous system.

This structure gives glass wool excellent thermal insulation and sound absorption properties, making it widely used in building insulation and ventilation systems.

2. Material Characteristics of Rubber-Plastic Insulation Materials

Rubber-plastic insulation materials are organic elastic insulation materials, typically based on synthetic rubber, formed through a foaming process to create a closed-cell structure. Its internal pores are independent, providing high airtightness.

This closed-cell structure makes rubber and plastic materials outstanding in preventing condensation and offering flexibility, making them particularly suitable for pipework and complex applications.

II. Comparison of Thermal Insulation Performance

From a thermal conductivity perspective, both glass wool and rubber and plastic materials meet building energy efficiency standards, but they achieve this through different methods.

Glass wool: Reduces heat conduction through a large number of still air layers, suitable for large-area installation.

Rubber and plastic insulation materials: Rely on a closed-cell gas structure to block heat transfer, suitable for pipe insulation.

Under the same thickness, the thermal conductivity of the two is not significantly different, but in space-constrained or irregularly shaped structures, rubber and plastic materials are more likely to provide stable performance.

III. Comparison of Fire Resistance Performance

Fire Resistance of Glass Wool

Glass wool itself is an inorganic, non-combustible material, not easily ignited, and does not support combustion. In a fire environment, glass wool does not release a large amount of heat and is often used in systems with specific fire resistance requirements.

Fire Resistance Performance of Rubber and Plastic Insulation Materials

Rubber and plastic are organic materials, and their fire resistance mainly depends on their flame-retardant formulation. Through modification, rubber and plastic materials can achieve high flame-retardant ratings, but under extreme high-temperature conditions, their fire resistance is generally less stable than that of inorganic materials.

IV. Comparison of Anti-condensation and Moisture-proof Performance

In practical engineering, anti-condensation performance is one of the important factors in selecting insulation materials.

Rubber and Plastic Insulation Materials: Closed-cell structure makes it difficult for water vapor to penetrate, resulting in strong anti-condensation capabilities.

Glass Wool: An open-cell structure, usually requiring a moisture barrier.

In systems such as chilled water pipes and refrigerant pipelines, rubber and plastic materials have a greater advantage in preventing condensation, while glass wool is more suitable for dry or moisture-controlled environments.

V. Differences in Construction Performance and Applicable Locations

Construction Characteristics of Glass Wool

Glass wool is suitable for large-area installation, commonly available in rolls and boards. It offers high construction efficiency and is suitable for ductwork, walls, roofs, and other applications.

Construction Characteristics of Rubber and Plastic Insulation Materials

Rubber and plastic materials have good flexibility and can be directly wrapped around the surface of pipes or irregularly shaped equipment, making installation convenient and joint treatment relatively simple.

VI. Comparison of Typical Application Scenarios

| Application Scenarios | Glass Wool | Rubber and Plastic Insulation Materials |

| -------- | ----- | ------ |

| Duct Systems | ✔ Commonly Used | △ Less Commonly Used |

| Walls and Roofs | ✔ Suitable | △ Not Commonly Used |

| Chilled Water Pipes | △ Requires Moisture Proof | ✔ Commonly Used |

| Central Air Conditioning Systems | ✔ Available | ✔ Commonly Used |

| Areas with High Fire Safety Requirements | ✔ Preferred | △ Requires Flame Retardancy |

From practical engineering experience, glass wool is more suitable for structural insulation, while rubber and plastic are more suitable for pipe and equipment insulation.

VII. Comprehensive Comparison and Summary

In general, glass wool and rubber-plastic insulation materials each have their advantages:

Glass wool: Inorganic and non-combustible, good sound absorption, suitable for large-area construction.

Rubber-plastic materials: High flexibility, excellent anti-condensation performance, suitable for piping systems.

During the selection process, factors such as fire protection requirements, usage environment, and construction conditions should be considered comprehensively, rather than simply comparing a single performance indicator.

The comparison between glass wool and rubber-plastic insulation materials shows that there is no absolute superiority or inferiority between the two; rather, they each have their own strengths for different application scenarios. Only by rationally selecting the appropriate insulation material can the best balance be achieved between energy saving, safety, and service life.