Exotic Refractory Oxide Fibres

Exotic Refractory Oxide Fibres and Textiles

Exotic refractory oxide fibres and textiles are made by the same unique Zircar process used for manufacturing yttria-stabilized zirconia cloths and felts. In addition to manufacturing a very wide range of high-performance thermal insulation in zircon, Zircar Zirconia also produces other textiles:

• alumina fibres
• yttria fibres
• pure zirconian fibres
• ceria fibres
• other rare earth fibres

Applications of Exotic Refractory Oxide Fibres

• Crystal synthesis industry
• Hot gas filtration
• Separator in batteries and high-temperature fuel cells
• Thermal insulation
• Electrical and electrochemical insulation
• Infrared insulation
• Catalyst support

General Characteristics of Exotic Refractory Oxide Fibres

Thermal characteristics

• Melting point: 2,000 °C
• Extremely good high-temperature resistance
• Very low thermal conductivity
• Excellent resistance to heat-shock

Mechanical characteristics

• Very hard: good for polishing
• Malleable and ductile
• Extreme high-temperature stability up to 2,000 °C

Chemical characteristics:

• High purity
• Porosity > 90 %
• Designed for uses in extremely corrosive environment
• 100 % Inorganic - No binders
• No outgassing
• Electrical conductors

Comparative Table of Exotic Refractory Oxide Fibres

Product Range of Exotic Refractory Oxide Fibres

Alumina Textiles & Bulk Fiber -AL

Thanks to the Zircar process, alumina fibre is yield with only trace amounts of silica (0.09 %), making it more stable in hydrogen environments than the more commonly found sol-gel alumina fibers that have 3 % silica. Alumina fibre has an excellent resistance to heat-shock, a high dimensional stability and a good chemical inertia. It is ideal for firing cycle up to 1,700 °C.

Benefits:

• 99 % Alumina
• Trace level of silica
• 100 % inorganic
• Low thermal Conductivity
• No outgassing
• Designed for uses in extremely corrosive, high temperature environments
• Dimensional stability in hydrogen 

Applications :

• Insulation for glass melting furnaces
• Insulation for fiber optic furnaces
• Bulk fill insulation
• Insulation in differential scanning calorimeters (DSC’s)
• Gaskets for fuel cells

Technical Data:

Item N° and Available Sizes:

Our high purity alumina fiber and textiles are offered in six different standard product forms: ALBF Bulk Fiber, ALF-50 and ALF-100 Felts, ALK-15 Tricot Knit Cloth, ALW-15 Square Weave Cloth and ALW-30 Satin Weave Cloth.

Yttria Felt, Cloth & Bulk Fiber – Y

Yttrium Oxide Y₂O₃ fibrous ceramic insulation is offered here in its pure and stable metal oxide yttria form, which is not attacked by most molten metals, including lithium and titanium. The fibers have an average diameter of 4 - 6 microns. Yttria felt can withstand 2,400 °C.

Benefits:

• 99 % Yttria
• 100 % inorganic
• Low thermal conductivity
• Excellent resistance to heat-shock
• Designed for uses in extremely corrosive, high-temperature environments
  

Applications:

• Thermal insulation for high-temperature microwave sintering

Technical Data:

Item N° and Available Sizes:

Unstabilized Zirconia Felt, Cloth & Bulk Fiber – ZO

The Zircar process for manufacturing yttria-stabilized zirconia cloths and felts is also used in the production of pure zirconia refractory fibers and cloths without stabilizers. For those processes which are intolerant of yttria, these unstabilized pure zirconia fiber products provide much of the same high performance insulating benefits. ZO materials are gray and contain organics for handleability.

Benefits:

• 99 % Zirconia
• Extremely high temperature stability
• Low thermal conductivity
• Excellent resistance to heat-schock
• No outgassing

Applications:

• High temperature insulation for advanced energy systems.

Technical Data:

* 1-2 % weight hafnia occurs naturally with zirconia and does not affect performance.

Item N° and Available Sizes:

Ceria Felt, Cloth & Bulk Fiber - CE

Ceria fibers and textiles are made by the same unique Zircar process used for manufacturing yttria-stabilized zirconia textiles. It has provided ceria in several formats for use in solar redox cycle research for syngas production. Ceria is incompatible with silica at high temperatures. It can withstand up to 2,500 °C.

Benefits:

• 99 % ceria
• 100 % inorganic
• Excellent resistance to heat-shock
• Designed for uses in extremely corrosive, high temperature environments
• Extreme high temperature stability
• No outgassing

Applications :

• Electrochemical seal for vanadium redox batteries, solar reactors, resistive oxygen sensors and fuel tanks.
• Catalyst for synthesis gas or methane generation

Technical Data:

Item N° and Available Sizes:

Other Rare Earth Products

The Zircar process can also be used to produce rare earth oxide compositions having a textile form of the same type. The 30 rare earth elements are composed of lanthanides and actinides (atomic numbers 57 to 70 and 89 to 102 respectively). The properties and characteristics of these textiles are similar to those of yttrium oxide-stabilised zirconia textiles. These products are reserved for specific applications. They can be manufactured as bulk fibres, felt, woven or knitted fabrics. They are only available on request.

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.