Fibertex Silica Fiber Fabric

High-Performance Thermal Protection for Industrial Applications

When the work environment requires resistance to high temperatures, protection against flames and efficient thermal insulation, choosing the right material is essential. The Fibertex silica fiber fabric was developed for applications that demand high thermal performance, offering a combination of resistance to high temperatures, flexibility, stability and protection against intense heat sources.

Produced from yarns with a high silica content, the fabric is a solution for industrial applications in which conventional fabrics may not offer sufficient thermal performance. Depending on the construction and specification of the material, silica fabrics can work in continuous applications near or above 1,000 °C, while certain versions can withstand even higher peak temperatures. The working temperature should always be defined according to the fabric specification and the actual conditions of the application.

Main Characteristics

Silica fabric stands out for its ability to act as a flexible thermal barrier, and can be used both in the manufacture of protective products and in industrial insulation systems.

Its main characteristics include:

• High thermal resistance;
• Excellent heat protection capability;
• Resistance to flame exposure;
• Resistance to welding splatter and incandescent particles;
• Good thermal shock resistance;
• Flexibility and ease of shaping;
• Good dimensional stability in high-temperature applications;
• Resistance to various chemical agents;
• Low thermal conductivity;
• Can be used in thermal insulation and protection systems;
• Suitable material for severe industrial applications.
  
  

In addition, the textile structure allows the material to be cut, sewn, folded and transformed into different technical solutions, making it especially interesting for the manufacture of thermal jackets, mats, curtains, removable protections and heat barriers.

Protection Against Heat, Flames and Splashes

One of the main advantages of silica fabric is its use as a physical barrier between a heat source and equipment, components or professionals.

The material can be used in situations involving direct flame, welding splatter, incandescent particles and molten metal splashes, depending on the fabric specification and the design of the protection.

This characteristic makes the fabric especially relevant in environments such as steel mills, foundries, metallurgical plants, the glass industry, industrial maintenance, welding, furnaces and processes involving high temperatures.

Applications of Fibertex Silica Fabric

The versatility of the material allows its use in different thermal engineering solutions.

Thermal Jackets and Protections

The fabric can be used in the manufacture of removable thermal jackets for valves, flanges, sensors, piping, equipment and other industrial components.

These protections help reduce heat exposure and can facilitate maintenance, inspection and intervention activities on equipment.

Thermal Curtains and Barriers

In welding areas, foundries and high-temperature industrial processes, the fabric can be used in the manufacture of thermal curtains and barriers, contributing to the separation of environments and protection of areas near heat sources.

Mats and Blankets for Welding

Another important application is the manufacture of thermal mats and blankets for welding, intended for the protection of equipment, structures and surfaces against sparks, splatter and heat.

Equipment Insulation

The fabric can also be part of thermal insulation systems for equipment and components that operate at high temperatures, working as a flexible protective layer.

Furnaces and Thermal Processes

In applications involving furnaces, ovens and equipment subjected to high temperatures, silica fabrics can be used in the composition of curtains, linings and thermal protection systems.

Applications in Foundries and Metallurgy

Resistance to molten metal splashes and high temperatures makes the fabric an alternative for applications related to foundries, steel mills and metallurgical processes, always considering the appropriate specification for each operating condition.

Where Can Silica Fabric Be Used?

The product serves different segments that work with thermal processes and intense heat sources, including:

• Steel industry;
• Foundries;
• Metallurgy;
• Automotive industry;
• Glass industry;
• Welding and boilermaking;
• Furnace manufacturing and maintenance;
• Plants and industrial processes;
• Industrial maintenance;
• Thermal equipment;
• Oil and energy industry;
• Manufacture of thermal protection equipment.

A Solution for Demanding Thermal Applications

Compared to materials intended for more moderate temperatures, silica fiber offers a margin of thermal performance suitable for more severe applications. There are silica fabrics on the market with different weights, thicknesses, constructions and treatments, allowing the most appropriate configuration to be selected for each project.

This ability to specify is important because there is no single fabric configuration that is ideal for all applications. Temperature, exposure time, contact with flame, the presence of metal splashes, the need for flexibility, mechanical resistance and the way the material is used must be considered when defining the material.

Fibertex: Technical Fabrics for Industrial Challenges

Fibertex works with solutions in high-performance fibers, offering materials for applications that require thermal resistance, protection and reliability.

The Fibertex silica fiber fabric is suitable for projects that require a flexible, high-performance thermal barrier, and can be used from the protection of industrial components to the manufacture of custom-made special solutions.

When the temperature rises, the correct material specification makes all the difference.

Rely on Fibertex to find the technical fabric solution suited to your application.

Attention: When it comes to pre-impregnated silica fiber fabrics, care must be taken regarding their storage and handling:

1 – The fabric must be wrapped in sealed plastic packaging.
2 – Storage – cold chamber at a temperature of minus 10 °C.
3 – Handling – Since silica fabric is basically a silicon oxide, direct contact with alkalis and hydrofluoric acid, which react with the material, must be avoided. The Fibertex® silica fiber fabrics used in the composition of reinforced engineered plastic are structured in bidirectional form, with twill and satin weave patterns and a weight of 600 to 1200 g/m², in a width of 920 mm.