What are synthetic mineral fibres?
Synthetic Mineral Fibre is a general term used to describe a number of fibrous materials made from glass, rock, alumina and silica. Some of these products are composed of a mixture of fibres in a multitude of sizes. Generally referred to as SMF, they are also known as Man Made Mineral Fibres (MMMFs). SMF have been widely used as alternatives to asbestos in insulation and fire-rating products and as reinforcement in cement, plaster and plastic materials. SMF products are used extensively in commercial and residential buildings for insulation from temperature and sound. There are four main groups of SMF: • Continuous Glass Filaments used in textiles, reinforced plastics and concrete, and as electrical insulation and plumbing materials. • Fibreglass, glass fibre or glasswool used mainly in insulation mats. • Rockwool used in formed insulation, in limpet materials, such as acoustic insulation and fire-rating materials. • Ceramic Fibres used as insulation blankets and for high temperature a
