Reinforced technical fabric RS-ZFELT

zirconiafor thermal insulationhigh-temperature

ZRCI Zirconia Felt Type RS-ZFELT is a mechanically interlocked textile structure composed of 4-6 micron diameter yttria-stabilized zirconia fibers. It is designed for uses in extremely corrosive environments and high temperatures. The felt is 100% fibers and contains no binders. It undergoes no phase transitions on temperature cycling and is a very effective thermal insulator, capable of use at temperatures exceeding 2000°C (3632°F). The stabilized zirconia composition permits the advantage of fibrous insulations to be extended into temperature regimes well above the melting temperatures of silica and alumina insulation materials. RS-ZFELT is equally useful in strong oxidizing and reducing environments. It is not reactive to alkali vapors, salts or strong hot solutions and is not wet by most molten metals. It has low adsorption surface area and vapor pressure, 8×10-12 Torr at 1370°C (2500°F) makes it ideal to use in vacuum applications RS-ZFELT retains its fibrous nature to 2480°C (4500°F) but loses its flexibility after being heated to about 1370°C (2500°F). Its specific heat increases from 0.13 BTU/lb °F to 0.18 at 2371°C (4300°F). The thermal conductivity of RS-ZFELT is lower than that of the foam, bubble and grain forms of zirconia; thus, substitution of the fibrous insulation for these forms will improve thermal efficiency in existing installations. Although yttria-stabilized zirconia is a semiconductor and becomes electrically conductive at high temperatures, it does not conduct with RF in the KiloHz frequency ranges. RS-ZFELT is available in 18” X 24” sheets and in three standard thicknesses: .050”, .100”, and .150”.