In search of SOFT insulation. 1

[itsmoked]

Hello,

I have been searching..in vain, for thermal insulation.

While there is a huge number of insulating materials available. (a surprising amount) I am having some difficulty finding what I am looking for.

I am looking for insulation that is soft and conforming and will operate at 500F or more preferably 1000F. My dream material would be like inch wide cotton bandage gauze, the white stuff. This way I can wrap my heater device conforming to its shape and avoiding wire connections, etc. It could be fiberglass even, but I can only find thick stuff - inches thick.. I would rather something more like 1/8 or 1/16 or maybe 1/4 inch.

Any ideas or a name I can search out?

Thanks.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- <

http://www.flaminsystems.com>

 

[Flesh]

You can use Fiberfrax. I've wrapped high temp tubular type furnaces with this stuff all the time. Used at well over 1000F. The blankets are tearable and compressable to fill gaps. Its almost tears like cotton, but tougher. Keep in mind that if you thin it out, this can reduce its insulating efficiency.

 

[unclesyd]

Here several different approaches.

High temperature and very light weight.

http://www.microtherm.uk.com/site/temperaturelimits.asp

Good to 600°F if you can stay with your 500°F requirement.

http://sordal.org/

Look at the paper and thin felts

http://www.zircarceramics.com/pages/flexible/index.htm

You might also want to look at the wet blanket products. Very easy to form and offer high temperature insulation.

 

[itsmoked]

Thanks for the info. Some of it looks pretty good.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[nbucska]

If it has to flex only during manufacturing and be fix later you may use magnesium oxide -- wrap the heater with
metallic Mg band and oxidize it with superheated H2O

-- used for making heaters.

Nick

Plesae read FAQ240-1032
WEB: <

http://geocities.com/nbucska/>

 

[itsmoked]

Interesting! No need for post assembly flexibility. I will look into that. Non-conductive I hope.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[RobWard]

This lot might have something...

http://www.saveguard.com/en/products.htm

&quot;I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go past.&quot; Douglas Adams

 

[unclesyd]

Here several different approaches.

This is the sleeve type material used on many tubular heaters.

http://www.flextechseals.com/textiles.htm

If you want to go the potting or encapsulation route is are two suppliers.

http://www.aremco.com/index.html

http://www.cotronics.com/vo/cotr/index.htm

If you want to get real exotic take a look at this.

http://www.aspenaerogels.com/technology.htm

 

[nbucska]

Keith:
Yes, it is used e.g. in the immersion heaters (the one used to reheat a cup of coffee)
Suggest look up the patent -- but it may be too old
for WEB search...


Plesae read FAQ240-1032
WEB: <

http://geocities.com/nbucska/>

 

[itsmoked]

Further thanks guys!

Man, now I have to start sorting this all out.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com