Ceramic Fibre Insulation

High-Temperature Ceramic Fibre & Bio-Soluble Insulation

VITCAS ceramic fibre and bio-soluble fibre insulation products provide low-density thermal insulation for kilns, furnaces, boilers, forges, glass-processing equipment and other high-temperature industrial systems. Their low thermal conductivity and low thermal mass help reduce heat transfer and stored heat, while flexible blanket and paper formats can conform to curved surfaces, joints and complex lining geometries.

The available fibre technologies cover different thermal duties: bio-soluble fibre products are rated up to 1200°C, standard ceramic fibre insulation up to 1260°C, and higher-temperature ceramic fibre blanket up to 1430°C. Selection should be based on the actual temperature at the insulation layer, thickness, mechanical exposure, gas velocity, process atmosphere and the role of the fibre within the complete refractory lining.

Key Technical Characteristics of Ceramic Fibre Insulation

• High-temperature capability: ceramic fibre products are available in grades rated to 1260°C and 1430°C, allowing insulation to be matched to different furnace, kiln and process-temperature requirements.
• Low thermal conductivity: the fibre structure limits heat transfer through the insulation layer, helping reduce thermal losses and control casing or external surface temperatures when correctly designed.
• Low thermal mass: compared with dense refractory linings, fibre insulation stores less heat and can support faster heating and cooling cycles in suitably designed equipment.
• Lightweight and flexible: blanket and paper products can be shaped around curved surfaces, doors, joints, penetrations and irregular equipment geometries where rigid insulation would be difficult to install.
• Multiple insulation formats: blankets provide flexible bulk insulation, while ceramic fibre paper provides thinner compressible layers for gaskets, separation, expansion and specialist thermal-barrier applications.
• Thermal-shock capability: low-mass fibre insulation can tolerate rapid temperature cycling more readily than many rigid or dense refractory systems, provided the material is correctly retained and protected.
• Industrial process compatibility: ceramic fibre has good stability in many high-temperature environments, but resistance to chemicals, molten materials, aggressive vapours and process atmospheres must be confirmed for the specific duty.

Bio-Soluble Fibre Insulation

VITCAS Bio-Soluble Fibre Insulation provides a low-biopersistence alternative for suitable applications up to 1200°C. The fibres are designed to dissolve more readily after biological exposure and the VITCAS product is classified as non-hazardous according to its applicable product information.

Bio-soluble blanket retains the practical benefits of lightweight flexible insulation, including low thermal conductivity, low heat storage and ease of fitting around curved or irregular surfaces. It is suitable for compatible furnace, kiln, boiler, forge and backup-insulation duties where its temperature and mechanical limits meet the design.

Low bio-persistence should not be interpreted as eliminating the need for appropriate handling controls. Cutting, fitting and removal of any fibrous insulation should follow the product safety information and use suitable dust-control and protective measures.

Ceramic Fibre Blanket 1260°C vs 1430°C

The higher-temperature grade should not automatically be selected for every installation. Lining temperature, shrinkage, thickness, thermal conductivity, cost, mechanical retention and process atmosphere should determine the appropriate fibre grade.

Applications of Ceramic Fibre Insulation

Kilns & Ceramic Firing

Ceramic fibre blankets are widely used in ceramic kilns because they combine high-temperature capability with low heat storage. Applications include flexible chamber insulation, door linings, backup insulation and securely retained repair sections.

The 1260°C grade suits many ceramic-firing duties, while 1430°C ceramic fibre blanket provides additional temperature capability for higher-temperature stoneware, porcelain and other demanding kiln processes where the complete lining design supports its use.

Industrial Furnaces & Heat Treatment

Ceramic fibre insulation is used in heat-treatment furnaces, annealing equipment, industrial ovens and other thermal-processing systems. Its low thermal mass can reduce the amount of energy stored within the lining and allow equipment to respond more quickly during controlled heating and cooling cycles.

Flexible blankets must be properly retained and should be protected from excessive abrasion, direct tool contact, loose scale and damaging high-velocity burner gases. Where the lining requires greater rigidity or mechanical resistance, ceramic fibre board, modules or a dense refractory hot face may be more appropriate.

Forges & Metalworking

Ceramic and bio-soluble fibre blankets can provide lightweight insulation in suitable forge walls, roofs and backup zones. The flexible material conforms readily to curved forge shells and compact chamber geometries.

Fibre blanket should not be treated as a durable forge floor or unrestricted hot-face surface where it will be exposed to workpieces, solid fuel, flux, molten material or severe burner velocity. Such areas may require a suitable refractory coating, dense lining or other protective system.

Glass Manufacturing & Glassworking

High-temperature fibre insulation is used in glass kilns, furnaces and associated thermal-processing equipment where low heat storage and controlled thermal losses are important. Ceramic fibre blanket can form flexible chamber or backup insulation, while ceramic fibre paper provides thin separation, gasket and thermal-barrier layers.

Higher-temperature grades are particularly relevant to glass slumping, fusing and other processes where insulation may experience temperatures beyond the capability of standard glass-fibre or lower-grade insulation materials.

Boilers, Ducts & High-Temperature Process Equipment

Ceramic fibre blankets are used in compatible industrial boilers, ducts, stacks, covers and casing-insulation systems. Their flexibility allows them to fit around irregular surfaces and provide continuous insulation where rigid panels would require numerous joints.

The blanket must still be selected according to the actual insulation temperature, mechanical retention, gas-flow exposure and the design of the surrounding refractory or metal structure.

Petrochemical & Refining Applications

Higher-temperature ceramic fibre grades are used in suitable refining, petrochemical and burner-chamber applications where low thermal conductivity and reduced lining heat storage are required.

Process chemistry must be considered separately from temperature. Chemical vapours, reducing or oxidising atmospheres, hydrocarbons and other contaminants can influence the suitability of the fibre, binders, coatings and retention system.

Incinerators, Cremators & Afterburners

Ceramic fibre insulation can provide flexible low-mass insulation in compatible incinerator, cremator and afterburner systems. The 1430°C grade provides additional temperature capability for suitably designed high-temperature zones.

Fibre insulation should not be exposed to impact, abrasive waste streams or burner velocity beyond its verified duty. High-wear zones generally require a more mechanically durable refractory surface.

Power Generation

Ceramic fibre blankets are used in selected high-temperature power-generation equipment, ducts, boiler systems and associated thermal enclosures. Low conductivity and low stored heat can support effective insulation where the fibre is correctly fixed and protected.

Investment Casting

Ceramic Fibre Blanket and Ceramic Fibre Paper are also used in investment casting for controlled external mould insulation and thermal management. Fibre insulation can reduce local heat loss from ceramic shells and influence cooling and solidification behaviour during casting.

The fibre layer provides thermal insulation only; it does not restore structural strength to a cracked or damaged casting shell. Mould-insulation thickness and placement should therefore form part of the validated casting process rather than being added without consideration of solidification and feeding requirements.

Low Thermal Mass vs Dense Refractory Linings

Ceramic fibre and dense refractory materials serve different roles in high-temperature equipment.

Many successful furnace and kiln linings combine the two material types: dense refractory or another protected hot face provides mechanical resistance, while ceramic fibre or bio-soluble insulation behind it reduces heat transfer and stored energy.

Specifying Ceramic Fibre Insulation

Temperature rating is only the starting point. For technical selection, consider:

• temperature at the insulation position, including local hot spots and transient conditions;
• thermal conductivity at the relevant mean temperature;
• required insulation thickness and cold-face temperature;
• density and heat-storage requirement;
• blanket, paper, board or module format;
• mechanical retention and anchor arrangement;
• gas velocity, vibration, abrasion and erosion;
• process chemistry and furnace atmosphere;
• surface protection or rigidisation requirements;
• joints, penetrations and thermal bridges within the lining.

A maximum classification or service temperature should not be used by itself to calculate heat loss, casing temperature or lining life. These depend on the complete insulation and refractory construction.