Ceramic fiber is a kind of light weight fibrous refractory. It has light weight, good high temperature performance, good thermal stability, low thermal conductivity and small specific heat. Compared to traditional insulation bricks and refractory castables, ceramic fiber products can save 10-30% energy.
Ceramic fiber first appeared in 1941 in US. Babu Wilcox Company produced ceramic fibers with natural kaolin by the blown process after melt in the electric furnace. In 1990s, with the popularization and application of zirconium-containing fiber and polycrystalline alumina fiber, the service temperature is improved to 1000℃-1400℃. However, due to the quality defects and behindhand application technology, its application is limited. Polycrystalline alumina fibers cannot be made into blanket. The specifications are monotonous, mainly cotton and block. Although the service temperature increases, the poor strength limits its application and service life.
Due to the high production cost, currently ceramic fiber is mainly used as the lining and insulation materials in various industrial furnaces fueled with coal, oil, gas and electricity and high temperature resistant reinforcing material and filter material. As a lining material, it can be used in nuclear reactors, industrial furnaces, metallurgical furnaces, petrochemical reactors, metal heat-treatment furnaces and ceramic kilns. Current insulation lining structures include refractory fiber veneer lining, refractory fiber board / refractory fiber blanket fiber lining, refractory fiber castable lining, prefabricated modular fiber lining and refractory fiber spraying lining. As a insulation material, it can be used for the fill insulation for industrial furnaces and the gaps between refractory bricks and insulation bricks, the insulation for the aircraft jet catheter, jet engines and other high-temperature pipes and slow cooling during the pipe manufacturing process. In addition, it can be used for the insulation of long-distance gas pipelines.
Zirconium-containing fiber is a kind of low-cost versatile silicate fiber made by the melting method. It can be widely used in the hot face lining of various furnaces. In practical applications, ceramic fiber cotton can be directly used as the filling materials, insulation materials and sealing materials of industrial furnaces and used to produce refractory coatings and castables.
Ceramic fiber blanket is a type of semi-rigid plate-like refractory fiber product. It has good flexibility and flexibility and can meet the needs of the construction and long-term use. It is mainly used in the lining of furnaces. Wet ceramic fiber blanket, due to its soft formability, is used in various complex parts. After dried, it becomes light, surface hardening and flexible and has better resistance to wind erosion than ceramic fiber blanket. Ceramic fiber needled blanket, is widely used for the insulation of industrial furnaces and high temperature pipes, due to good mechanical performance and no binders.
Ceramic fiber board is a type of rigid refractory fiber product. Since it contains organic binders, it has excellent mechanical properties and good resistance to wind erosion. It is generally used in the hot face of industrial furnaces and pipes.
Ceramic fiber prefabricated components are mainly used for the masonry of linings. It is convenient and fast to install. Among the ceramic fiber shaped products, the most widely used one is the ceramic fiber pipe shell. It can be used in the construction of small electric furnaces and the bushing of casting risers.
Ceramic fiber paper is usually used in the expansion joints, the nodes of the combustion furnace and plumbing equipment. Ceramic fiber rope is mainly used as non-load-bearing insulation materials and sealing materials.
In addition to insulation materials, ceramic fibers can also be used as reinforced materials and catalyst cutting body for advanced ceramics, metals and plastics.