Refractory Hex Mesh Forming/ Bending 1

[msangabriel]

Hi Everyone,

We need to replace portion of our refractory inside a reactor. For abrasion resistant lining, we are using hex mesh to support the refractory. Access and work area of this section is difficult. A portion of a pipe air distributor located inside the reactor needs lining replacement. My question is,how do you form hex mesh into a pipes' profile? How do you roll or bend hex mesh?

thanks in advance!

 

[Compositepro]

The only "hex mesh" I'm aware of that is used as you describe, is more often called "chicken wire" because it is often used for poultry fencing. This wire cloth is easily formed to shape by hand.

 

[moltenmetal]

Nope- the OP is talking about something actually called hex mesh, which is a lattice of flat bars bent to form hexagonal cavities between them into which the refractory is packed. Think of something like bar grating, but instead of being arranged with the bars parallel to one another, they're bent such that they form hexagonal pockets. It's not paper thin stuff- the stuff I've seen is fairly substantial, such that it would take quite a bit of force to bend- and I've always wondered how the heck people form it to match the curved ID of a vessel much less the VERY curved ID of a piece of pipe!

 

[berkshire]

Are you talking about this stuff ?
I have bent this on a press brake with a bumping die to form cylinders . But I have never tried to dome it.
B.E.


You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[berkshire]

I forgot to mention , it goes sloppy after you brake it.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[moltenmetal]

Yep, that's the stuff- and some people try to bend it to a radius which is only a very small multiple of its thickness...