Effect of chemical composition of man-made vitreous fibers on the rate of dissolution in vitro at different pHs.

Measurements of rates of dissolution of typical insulation wool fibers (glasswool and basalt based stonewool) and an experimental fiber were made using a flow-through equipment. The liquids used were a modified Gamble's solution, adjusted to pH 4.8 and 7.7 +/- 0.2, respectively. The dissolution of SiO2 and CaO was determined over periods of up to three months. The rate of dissolution of stonewool fibers was lower than that of glasswool fibers at pH 7.7, whereas the opposite was true at pH 4.8. The stonewool fibers dissolve congruently, but glasswool fibers tend to dissolve with leaching. The rates of dissolution of fibers of different compositions, including insulation wool (glasswool, basalt-based stonewool, slagwool) and experimental fibers were screened using a stationary set-up. Both the chemical composition and pH influenced the rates of dissolution. At pH 7.7 alumina was a determining component and at pH 4.8 the content of SiO2 and CaO was determinant. One experimental fiber with a high content of alumina was an exception having a fairly high rate of dissolution both at pH 4.8 and 7.7.