To wrap mineral wool, or not to - that is the question...

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:11 am

I've been asking myself.

I'm building broadband absorber panels covered in burlap, and because of the openess of the weave, I was thinking about putting the mineral wool in a thin plastic trashbag first.

But after reading this thread

http://recording.org/ftopict-21013.html

I'm not so sure. Now I'm concerned that it will cause a buildup of formaldehyde gasses.

Is there a difinative answer to the question of whether or not to plastic wrap mineral wool prior to covering?

Thanks.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 10:36 am

I think you want a porous cloth to help reduce the amount of airborne fibers. It has to be porous so the sound waves can penetrate it. I am guessing that plastic covers are likely going to reflect high frequencies.

I bought my covers ready made by Ready Acoustics. They worked well, but it took a while getting them. They have a good system.

But any porous cloth would work, I was just to lazy to make my own covers.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 11:31 am

I've had my rock wool slabs in burlap coffee bags for a while now and it's worked great so far. It allows the rock wool to absorb all the frequencies instead of having any of the higher frequencies reflected by a plastic layer. I hadn't ever heard of the formaldahyde thing, but even with out that aspect I'd say don't do it.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:05 pm

Double wrap in burlap.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 12:50 pm

just curious why double?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:26 pm

Two layers will keep particles inside better.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 3:55 pm

Thanks that makes sense.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:38 pm

Thanks All.

My frames already have 1 layer of burlap stapled to them. I'll loose wrap the mineralwool with the same black burlap. That should help hide the color of the mineralwool as well.

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 7:40 pm

Hey Bill, whether you wrap it or not, read the "msds" for Roxul mineral wool. It is in the thread you linked above, provided by Rod.

http://www.roxul.com/graphics/rx-na/canada_us/products/msds4-18-05.pdf

Search for the heading "Stability and Reactivity:"

Or read the entire thread, it's all clearly handled. On page two a fella nicked Brian R adds some more comforting information.

I think as long as your not actually IN a Katrina disaster area modular home, your OK Smile

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