Gelatin-Tannin-Based Greener Binder Technology for Stone Shot and Stone Wool Materials: A Detailed Study.

The detailed study presented herein of gelatins modified with tannins as greener binder systems for stone wool and related materials has unveiled a versatile technology that offers a wide range of possibilities for tailor-making properties toward various application areas. Thus, high unaged and aged mechanical strengths in combination with low water solubilities may generally be obtained from the use of gelatins with higher gel strength (and hence, generally, higher molecular weights), low-to-mid range tannin addition levels (3-20%), alkali metal hydroxides for pH adjustment, and final pH in the range 8-9. Comparatively low water uptake properties may be obtained using higher gel strength type A gelatins, lower tannin addition levels, alkali metal hydroxides for pH adjustment, and lower final pH.