Looking for rigid insulation

[floattuber]

We need to build an impromptu temperature chamber for our shake table which goes up to approximately 350F. The size will only be about 30"x19"x17". Ideally, we'd like to use a rigid foam insulation like the type used for houses, but they only go up to about 250F.

Mcmaster has rigid fiberglass insulation (page 3418)in which the insulation itself is rated up to 450F, but the facing can only go up to 150F, so that is out.

We were going to go with Marinite, but I've now been told it could be hard to get.

Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[MintJulep]

Owens-Corning TIW

http://www.owenscorning.com/comminsul/products.asp?Product=16&System=83

Good to 1000F. Not sure how rigid it is however. Perhaps build an outer shell of the lower temperature stuff and line it with TIW.

In all likelihood the 250F "rated" stuff will be fine for short-term use at 350F. It's probably the binders that break down with higher temperature, and it probably takes some time.

 

[MechEng2005]

Try googling "Refractory Board". First one I came up with was

http://www.zrci.com.

This is most probably overkill (i.e. will work at temps over 1000 deg C), but it's an option. Maybe you can find something more appropriate (and presumably cheaper).

- MechEng2005

 

[btrueblood]

Presumably the insulation won't be directly attached to the shaker head, i.e. it won't be shaking too (other than via acoustic coupling)?

I have seen foamed polyimide insulation, but it is very expensive...presumably you want something as cheap as possible? Then you'll be looking at various ceramic fiber/foam systems, with the associated dust generation...on top of your expensive shaker table and DUT.

Best bet is probably a simple thin plywood sheath, backed by regular fiberglass. You'll then want to sheath the outside as well, to cut down on loose fibers rattling around in the shaker room.

Cleaner, but more expensive, would be silicone foam insulation. It would need some type of support structure to maintain its shape at 350 F.

 

[dvd]

Mineral wool firestop insulation is fairly rigid and would probably stand up to your test. Call your local insulation contractor and see if they have have a couple of boards that they would sell you.

http://www.fibrex.org/pdf/SafingInsulation.pdf

 

[floattuber]

Thanks all. After some google searching I found an insulation company that had a nice comparison page of everything they had in stock. I called them up and they suggested either fiberglass board insulation. It's basically the same stuff as the mcmaster insulation but with foil facing only on 1 side. The other side should go up to 450F.

They also suggested mineral wool board with will go much higher. Since they are both pretty cheap, I decided to get both and see which one works best.

trueblood, you are correct in assuming it won't be shaken. We'll have to elevate it on stilts or from our hoist.

 

[amorrison]

There are two types of "fiberglass insulation" - the difference is in the temperature rating of the "glue" that holds the fibers together. The glass fibers themselves can take quite high temperatures.

 

[dcasto]

use what we used in the 70's, wood.