Ceramic Fibres in Industrial Applications
topic
Industrial furnace insulation (largest volume application): refractory ceramic fibre blankets, boards, papers, and textiles (alumina-silica, 1000-1260°C) providing energy efficiency in kilns, furnaces, ovens in metals, glass, ceramics, petrochemical industries. Benefits: 40-60% energy savings vs. firebrick, rapid heating/cooling, thermal shock resistance. Also: gaskets, seals, expansion joints, and high-temperature filtration (diesel particulate filters, metal casting, glass melting—3M Nextel filtration media).
Role
Refractory ceramic fibres enable industrial energy efficiency improvements worth billions in energy savings annually while reducing equipment weight and enabling rapid thermal cycling, though health concerns (classified as Category 2 carcinogen, similar to fibreglass) drive development of low-biopersistent alternatives.