Zetex® Fibre

Final Advanced Materials offers a full range of Newtex brand products: Tapes, Sleeves, Fabrics, Z-Flex^® fabrics, Self-adhesive fabrics and Zetex^® ropes.

What are Zetex^® Fibre?

Our partner Newtex offers a wide range of fire resistant and temperature resistant products since 1978. The ZetexPlus^® range presents a great variety of heat resistant textiles which can withstand temperatures up to 1,095 °C. Due to their characteristics and performances, these products are ideal for fire protection. 

Zetex^® products are insulation and protection textiles against high temperatures. They can be used as gaskets, welding blankets and equipment protection, lagging, welding stress relief, removable insulation pads… Zetex^® fabrics are woven from continuous filament fiberglass yarns that have been treated by Newtex's proprietary texturization process. Their thermal conductivity is 0,05 W.m^-1.K^-1: they withstand heat but also cold, down to – 73 °C. Zetex^® products have a good dielectric resistance and interesting mechanical properties which can be improved with specific coatings. The fibre is chemically inert and resists well to chemical agents and abrasion.

Manufacturing Zetex^® Fibres

The first steps of manufacturing of Zetex^® fibre are similar to the one of standard E-glass fibres. Once a thread is produced, it is cut open by a compressed air nozzle to amplify its volume. The texturization process is key because it gives the high temperature fabrics superior insulation capabilities. The texturized threads can then be woven, braided or twisted to produce fabrics, tapes and ropes.

General Characteristics of Zetex^® Fibres

Mechanical Properties

For an equal diameter, Zetex^® fibre is twice as strong as a steel wire. The mechanical quality of the Zetex^® fabric offers all kinds of thermal protection.

Thermal Properties

Zetex^® fibre products have remarkable thermal properties. Their heat-resistant and insulation capabilities are excellent, withstanding continuous operating temperatures of up to 540 °C. Zetex^® fibres can also withstand temperatures of – 73 °C. 

Chemical Resistance

Zetex^® fibres have excellent resistance to acids, bases and solvents, and mould is no problem either. 

Electric Properties

Zetex^® fibre has exceptional electrical properties. 

Benefits of Zetex^® Fibres

• Excellent thermal resistance to hot and cold (from – 73 to 540 °C continuously)
• Low thermal conductivity
• Excellent dielectric strength
• Very good resistance to acids (except phosphoric and hydrofluoric), bases and solvents
• Rot-resistant Twice the mechanical properties of steel
• Low outgassing

Comparative Table of Zetex^® Fibres

Applications of Zetex^® Fibres

• Thermal insulation
• Electric insulation
• High temperature protection
• Expansion joint
• Reinforcement of elastomers
• Thermal insulating joint
• Protection of hydraulic and/or electrical circuits
• Cable and pipe insulation
• Sealing gasket

Product Range with Zetex^® Fibres

Zetex^® Fabrics

Zetex^® fibre fabrics are manufactured using textured glass fibres, an inorganic material that poses no health risks. They ensure excellent thermal and insulating properties. The Zetex^® fibre is chemically inert and offers good abrasion resistance, excellent chemical resistance as well as recognised rot-proof properties. They can withstand peak temperatures up to 700 °C and are used at an operating temperature of 540 °C. Zetex^® fibre fabrics are used for numerous applications in the industry including the manufacture of gaskets, compensators, heat reflectors or even protective clothing.

Z-Flex^® Fabrics

Z-Flex^® fabrics are manufactured using a glass fibre fabric basis and an aluminium coating that ensures good resistance to splashes of molten metal and flames. Moreover, they reflect up to 95 % of radiant heat, which can reach 1,650 °C, with a contact temperature of 175 °C. Z-Flex^® fabrics can be found in numerous applications thanks to these properties. They are mainly used for the manufacture of fire protective clothing, fire protection systems and equipments or also equipment for automotive applications.

Z-Tuff^® Fabrics

Z-Tuff^® fibre fabrics are glass fibre fabrics coated with silicone or PTFE. The Zetex^® range presents a great variety of heat resistant textiles which can withstand temperatures up to 1,095 °C. PTFE-coated Z-Tuff^® fabrics stand out for their remarkable resistance to chemicals. They can withstand operating temperatures up to 315 °C and peak temperatures up to 540 °C. Silicone-coated Z-Tuff^® fabrics offer effective protection against oil and water and can withstand operating temperatures up to 260 °C and peak temperatures up to 540 °C. The Z-Tuff^® fibre fabrics proposed by Final Advanced Materials are mainly used in the industry as insulating sleeves, welding curtains as well as an external side of protection equipment.

Zetex^® Tapes

The Zetex^® tapes meet all the requirements of fire resistance. They are mainly used for thermal insulation and sealing of industrial furnaces. Zetex^® fibre tapes can indeed withstand peak temperatures up to 700 °C and operating temperatures up to 540 °C. They also offer great chemical and thermal resistance. Final Advanced Materials offers Zetex^® fibre tapes in widths ranging from 25 to 152 mm. Versions with a reinforcing or a coating are also possible.

Treatments & Coatings Newtex

In addition to the standard coatings that characterize Newtex products (vermiculite, aluminium, etc.), they can be treated or coated to increase their mechanical or physical properties or their colour:

• Colors: red, blue or orange.

• Heat cleaned - HC: the fabric is treated at high temperatures to remove broken fibres and binder and lubricant remnants to reduce smoke generation or flying fibres.

• Fabrication treatment - FAB: this is an acrylic coating applied to one side of the fabric to dimensionally stabilise it and increase its resistance to abrasion.

• Regular treatment - RT: it is an acrylic coating applied on both sides of the fabric in order to stabilise it dimensionally and increase its resistance to abrasion, but also to limit irritation related to contact with the skin.

• Oil and Water Repellent - OWR: this coating increases the fabric's resistance to oil, water and abrasion.

• Rewettable - RW: this inorganic coating allows the textile to be applied and shaped directly on site.

Physical variables included in this documentation are provided by way of indication only and do not, under any circumstances, constitute a contractual undertaking. Please contact our technical service if you require any additional information.

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