High temperature insulation is essential in industrial settings for optimal thermal regulation, increasing productivity and safety measures while also helping prevent fires which could endanger people or destroy equipment.
There are various high-temperature insulation materials, such as cellular, fibrous and granular insulations. Each has their own set of advantages and properties.
Fiberglass
Pipes and equipment operating at elevated temperatures release heat that can be dangerous to touch, overheating the surrounding environment, and ultimately creating higher energy costs for businesses. Insulation helps regulate these temperatures safely while decreasing energy loss that would otherwise increase operational costs.
Insulation for elevated temperature applications must be flexible, durable and capable of absorbing vibrations. Therefore, many high temperature insulation materials consist of fabrics which combine abrasion resistance with fire protection and heat retention properties. McAllister Mills offers aramid fiber fabrics which fulfill these criteria.
E-Glass fiberglass insulation mat is made up of long textile fibers woven together mechanically into sheets measuring up to one inch thick. This insulation offers superior corrosion and abrasion protection as well as high thermal efficiency; supporting service temperatures up to 2300oF it makes an excellent choice for continuous processes such as petrochemical, cement and glass industries or applications involving heat treatment of metals.
Rockwool
As with fiberglass insulation, rock wool can help lower energy bills by slowing the transmission of heat through your walls and ceiling of your home. However, rock wool offers certain distinguishing characteristics which set it apart from its counterpart.
Insulation made of rock and minerals heated in a furnace until they melt can be spun into blankets for use in new construction or added onto existing homes. It typically comprises 85 percent recycled slag and 15 percent raw basalt for environmental friendliness and no airborne particles to worry about.
Rock wool insulation is easy and fast to install without staples or nails, providing builders with an economical yet quick and straightforward insulation option. However, gloves and a face mask should still be worn during installation as it can become dusty during application. Furthermore, sealing any gaps or cracks around where you’re installing rock wool will increase its efficiency significantly.
Mineral Wool
Mineral fiber insulation (also referred to as rock wool or slag wool) is composed of thin stone fibers woven together and then woven into boards or batts for insulation purposes. As non-combustible material that works effectively in high temperature ranges and features water resistance and vapor permeability capabilities, mineral fiber insulation makes an excellent choice for high performance homes.
Cryogenic insulation can be produced using recycled materials such as slag and natural rock, or by mixing these together, making it a highly eco-friendly choice when compared with fiberglass insulation.
Mineral wool insulation comes in many forms, from blown-in and preformed pipe insulation, to various densities used for specific applications and temperature classifications. One such form of mineral wool insulation that offers excellent fireproof properties without being too bulky is THERMOrox light stone wool insulation – offering fire protection while remaining lightweight.
Silica
Silica is an essential material in high temperature insulation due to its ultra-low density, low thermal conductivity and porosity – qualities which allow for wide specific surface area coverage and easy fabrication of blankets or lagging for use within metal furnaces.
Silica blankets are composed of mechanically interlocked continuous filament amorphous silica fibers with useful properties up to 1100oF, making them lightweight, flexible and easily formed into shapes to meet customer requirements. Their ideal protection includes heavy sparks, metal splash and high temperatures.
Stage II involved oxidizing TEOS’ methyl groups into hydroxyl groups and condensing these into Si-O-Si condensates to optimize the three-dimensional network structure of silica aerogel, improving thermal performance of silica composite. Once combined with fibers in an anti-infrared radiation preform preform, this resulted in an effective combination of silica aerogel and fibers.