What are the main ingredients of mineral wool?

The primary ingredients of mineral wool are silica sand and coal byproducts, making this choice the most accurate. Mineral wool is a type of insulation material that is known for its excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties as well as its fire resistance.

Silica sand acts as a key component as it provides the necessary raw material for producing glass wool, while coal byproducts, specifically blast furnace slag or similar materials, are used to create rock wool. The combination of these materials lends mineral wool its unique structural characteristics, making it lightweight and effective for insulation.

Other materials listed, such as wood pulp and straw, are more commonly associated with products like cellulose insulation, which differ significantly in their properties and applications compared to mineral wool. Steel and fiberglass relate more to other types of insulation systems, while plastic and paper do not have the essential qualities needed for the high-performance insulation that mineral wool provides. This specificity in composition is why the selection of silica sand and coal byproducts is the most fitting for defining mineral wool.