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

Made from textured glass fibres, Zetex^® fabrics have exceptional thermal and insulating properties. Composed of inorganic materials, they present no health risks. They are used at a continuous temperature of 540 °C and can reach 700 °C. Other versions of Zetex^® fabrics include Zetex^® Steel fabrics, reinforced with steel wire to increase their strength and durability. Plus, many different coatings are available (silicone, PTFE, ceramic cement, etc.).

Z-Flex^® Fabrics

Z-Flex^® fabrics are heat shielding and aluminized. They reflect up to 95 % of radiant energy and protect from high temperatures and radiant heat up to 1,650 °C, however, the aluminized film is not intended for direct contact with temperatures above 175 °C. Two range of Z-Flex^® fabrics are available:

Z-Flex^®: texturized Zetex^® Fabrics

The Z-Flex^® range includes four products with texturized Zetex^® filaments and a PTFE coating. They offer great value and superior insulation to protect from extreme heat and to prevent burn-though.

• Z-Flex^® A-302: The lightest. High insulation capacity against high temperature. Fabrics with a PTFE protective coating (against water and oil) which increases the abrasion to abrasion.
• Z-Flex^® A-601: The most affordable. Medium weight, High insulation capacity against high temperature, excellent flexibility. Texturized Zetex^® fabric with a PTFE protective coating (against water and oil) which increases the abrasion to abrasion.
• Z-Flex_® A-801: The thickest (1.22 mm). Optimal insulation and protection. Best protection against thermal convection, sparks and molten metals.
• Z-Flex^® A-802: Derivative from A-801, it is thinner but weights the same. Best protection against radiant heat and high insulation performence.

Z-Flex^®: non-texturized Zetex^® Fabrics

The Z-Flex^® range includes three products with non-texturized fiberglass fabrics. They are lightweight and flexible. They provide the best value for environments in which radiant heat protection is necessary but convective and conductive heat protection is less of a concern.

• Z-Flex^® F-407: Lining fabric. Resistant, thin, light and affordable. Similar performance than rayon. PTFE protective coating (against water and oil) which increases the abrasion to abrasion.
• Z-Flex^® F-628: The lightest. Fabric in continuous E-glass filament. Protection against radiant heat similar to the one provided by thicker fabrics. Resistant to operating temperatur up to 550 °C.
• Z-Flex^® F-781: The most confortable, optimal puncture and tearing resistance. Lasting lining fabric with satin weave and continuous e-glass fibre.

Z-Shield^® Fabrics

Z-Shield^® welding fabrics are woven from fiberglass yarns and coated with a fire-resistant acrylic for superior resistance sparks, abrasion, slag, and burn-through.

• Z-Shield^® Silver: acrylic coating with silver pigment used to reflect radiant heat. Protection against abrasion, heat and sparks.
• Z-Shield^® Gold & Z-Shield^® Black: similar to Z-Shield^® Silver. Mostly used as a welding blanket.
• Z-Shield^® Salmon: coated with Z-Fil^® fabric. Flexible protective fabric, good for draping.
• Z-Shield^® Hullboard (HB): these lightweight fire-resistant fabrics are intended for use as hull board covering or lagging for acoustic and thermal insulation and fireproofing.

Zetex^® Tapes

The extreme resistance of Zetex^® tapes when facing fire and high temperatures makes them ideally suited for thermal insulation and industrial furnaces sealing. The Zetex^® tapes can withstand up to 700 °C. These strips are available in three product ranges to offer a variety of dimensions but also different flexibilities to suit everyone's requirements.

• Tapes P-1050 : the most flexible; 1.6 mm thickness
• Tapes P-2150 : 3.2 mm thickness
• Tapes P-3900 : 6.4 mm thickness

Zetex^® tapes are available in 30 mm length with widths of 25 to 150 mm. A range of options are also possible: standard with texturized E-glass fibre or with a vermiculite coating. Tapes with bolt holes or stainless steel thread can be produced on request.

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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