Ceramic fiber products have been the most innovative insulating materials for a wide range of industries in diverse applications. These products come in over 50 forms. Their primary use is in conveyor ovens that process and produce ferrous and non-ferrous metals, petroleum products, industrial chemicals, ceramic and glass and other applications that require extreme temperatures up to 3000F. Over the last decade, there has been new product applications for ceramic fibers with excellent insulating properties, easy handling and weight reduction. They are highly demanded in the industries of fire protection, building construction, appliances, automotive, and aerospace.
While most material formulations are resistant to high temperatures and can be employed when thermal insulation is the main goal, material performance in terms of thermal shock varies. In particular, the materials falling under the category of refractory ceramics provide more resistance to thermal shock than fully dense ceramics. However, the former products have a lower strength than the latter. Refractory ceramics are the excellent choice in applications such as being components of conveyor ovens, kilns, and furnaces, particularly roof anchors and support, kiln setters and standoffs.
On the other hand, fully dense ceramic formulations have much higher strength than refractory ceramics. But once they are exposed to thermal shock, they can be fractured. Apart from thermal insulation and shock, another crucial consideration in choosing a material is the thermal conductivity. Generally, fully dense alumina offers about ten times more thermal conductivity rate than zirconia. Regardless of these differences, standing up to the heat is the key property found in most custom ceramic fiber products. Eastman specializes in manufacturing custom conveyor ovens and other heat treating equipment with complex geometries and matching forming process to your specific application. All our ovens are made according to the highest standards of thermal insulation, giving you only the best solution.