Many commercial and industrial functions take place at extremely high temperatures, which can lead to severe damage to equipment and high maintenance costs. To avoid this, heat-resistant fabrics are widely used across all industries for various heat protection purposes.
The following blog will discuss this technology in detail, including its applications in different sectors.
Heat-Resistant Fabric Definition
As the name suggests, heat-resistant fabric refers to an assortment of materials that are able to withstand extreme temperatures. They are thermal insulators and available in a variety of configurations to suit any and all functions.
Heat-Resistant Fabric Types
Heat-resistant fabrics come in several forms, each with unique properties that make them suitable for specific applications.
Coated Fabrics
This fabric type is the most common across various industries and is used primarily for heat protection purposes. Silicone, refractory, ceramic, and neoprene are examples of typical coatings which became popular due to their impressive resistance properties, like chemical, UV, and abrasion resistance.
Silica Fabrics and Textiles
This category of fabrics is another popular choice among industries. These are perfect as thermal barriers due to low conductivity and a continuous operating temperature of 982C. They are resistant to several chemicals, abrasion, and low porosity, and are regarded as one of the toughest textile products globally due to their high strength.
Heat-Resistant Fabric Applications
Aerospace
In the aerospace sector, there’s a high demand for heat-resistant fabrics because airplanes operate at very high temperatures. This heat needs to be contained before it reaches the cockpit and cabin, otherwise traveling would become highly uncomfortable.
Hence these fabrics are used in jet engines and engineered industrial parts. They are also used to make cargo containers fireproof and for cabin smoke seals.
Robotics
The robotics industry is another heavy proprietor of heat-resistant fabric. They primarily use it for protection purposes. Robots are operated in intense and dangerous conditions, one of them being intense heat. So they’re covered with these fabrics, which lower the possibility of damage leading to reduced repair costs.
Furnaces
Many commercial and industrial settings use furnaces for processing materials. The furnace is constantly exposed to high temperatures, which is why heat-resistant fabric is widely popular here. The manufacturers use this fabric on linings and attachments inside a furnace to make sure they are sealed without the risk of melting. These fabrics also protect the surface from splashes and corrosion.
Personnel and Equipment
Heat-resistant silica fabrics are also used in the industries of welding, shipbuilding, refineries, power generation, petrochemical, and many more. This is because the fabric is ideal for covering personnel and equipment, thus protecting them from damage. This, in turn, reduces high energy and maintenance costs associated with the damage.
Robco for All Your Heat-Resistant Fabric Needs
Looking to procure heat-resistant fabric? Our team of experts at Robco of America has manufactured flexible high-performance textiles for all intense heat applications. From clothes, tapes and ropes, to sleeving, millboard and seals, we’ve got all.
We also offer engineered sealing solutions, including mechanical seals design and repair. Browse our products for more details.
