Mica-Silicone Composite

Overview: Mica-Silicone Composite

Final Advanced Materials processes mica in various forms. It can be employed in the form of a textile, for flexible solutions, but also in the form of a solid sheet material. Regardless of the product selected, the properties of mica make it an ideal candidate for thermal insulation applications.

MC-5000HT mica is composed of 90% phlogopite mica and 10% silicone binder. Mica panels can be used as a replacement for products containing asbestos. The continuous service temperature is 1,000°C. 

Important: it is necessary for MC5000-HT to be compressed between two plates or flanges. Mechanical compression prevents any crumbling of the product in response to the action of temperature, given that the silicone binder deteriorates at temperatures in excess of 300 °C, and replacement of the component will therefore be necessary after dismantling.

Mica composite materials are mainly used in the following areas:

  • In the glass industry, the thermal properties and abrasion resistance of MC-5000 are advantageous.
  • In the gass distribution sector, its pressure resistance and high-temperature resistance permit the prevention of gas leaks, even during a fire.
  • In the induction furnace construction sector, MC-5000 is employed for its thermal and electrical insulating properties, and for its permeability to high-frequency waves.
  • Reduction of heat losses between the plates of forging presses, on the grounds of its resistance to pressure at high temperatures 

Applications of Mica-Silicone Composite

  • Guide for bottles released from a mould
  • High-voltage applications
  • Sealing of internal network connections
  • Construction of induction furnaces
  • Forging presses

Main Characteristics of Mica-Silicone Composite

  • Low thermal conductivity
  • Good resistance to high temperatures
  • A good electrical insulator
  • Easy to machine and glue
  • Non-toxic
  • High mechanical strength
  • High compressive strength at high temperature
  • Excellent resistance to flame
  • Good electrical arcing resistance and erosion resistance

Dimensions of Mica-Silicone Composite

Type

MC5000-HT

Dimensions

Board

For every thickness: 1,220 x 1,020 mm and 1,200 x 1,000 mm
For 5, 10 and 15 mm thickness: 2,420 x 1,020 mm 

Tolerances

±0.7 % thickness 2 mm
-5 % to +7% from 2.1 to 6 mm
-4 % to +5 % from 6.1 to 40 mm
-2 % to +3% from 40.1 to 100 mm

Customed designs are available on request.

Other products available 

Depending upon requirements, it is also possible for this composite mica material to be procured in other forms (subject to the confirmation of a minimum order quantity and lead time): 

  • MC-5000 mica tubing (with similar characteristics to panels) up to a diameter of 300 mm and a length of 1,100 mm. 
  • Mica paper impregnated with a silicone resin, laminated on a woven glass-fibre base in order to provide temperature resistance, flame resistance and electrical insulation. This product is essentially used for the production of cables which are fire-resistant at temperatures of 1,000°C.

Minimum order required. 

Technical Data of Mica-Silicone Composite

Property

Unit

MC-5000HT

Item N°

080-0011

Composition

90 % phlogopite mica
10 % silicone resin

Density

kg/m3

2,200

Thermal Properties

Max. Operating Temperature

°C

700

Max. Peak Temperature

°C

1,000

Weight Loss

V-0 (UL 94)
< 2 % IEC 371-2

Thermal Conductivity ⊥ to the board

at 23 °C

W.m-1.K-1

0.30

at 100 °C

0.31

at 200 °C

0.32

at 300 °C

0.345

Mechanical Propertieses

Compressive Strength ⊥ to the board ISO 604

at 20 °C

kJ/m2

300

at 200 °C

MPa

240

Flexural Strength IEC 371-2

MPa

120

Tensile Strength ISO 527

MPa

110

Electrical Properties

Dielectric Strength IEC 371-2

kV/mm

25

Chemical Properties

Water Absorption IEC 371-2

%

< 0.5

Resistance to chemicals

Excellent

Thermal Expansion Coefficient

10-6 K-1

10

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.

MC-5000HT Mica Composite (201.38k)

Datasheet: Mica MC-5000HT

Composite Materials (387.24k)

Composite Materials

FAQs that can help you in this category

What is the difference between a calcium silicate board and a mica board?

Calcium silicate boards have a low density (200–1,000 kg/m³), low thermal conductivity (~ 0.05–0.35 W/m·K) and high temperature resistance of up to 1,000°C. They are used as structural insulators.

Mica boards (phlogopite or muscovite) have great dielectric strength (>20 kV/mm) and temperature resistance up to 500–1,000°C, depending on the type. It must be permanently compressed between 2 other boards to preserve its mechanical integrity (the silicon binder degrades at high temperature). Use of mica composite requires particular attention: please contact Final Advanced Materials for more information.

Can rigid composites be machined with a CNC machine?

Yes, the inorganic composites produced by Final Advanced Materials can be CNC machined. Machining of calcium silicate-based (CaSiO₃) refractories or derived materials of the insulating boards type involves specific aspects relating to their low density, high porosity and low mechanical cohesion. Although these composites are not hard, they pose a high risk of scaling and crumbling: loads must therefore be minimised, and stripping of material must be avoided. The resulting powder is very abrasive and it is therefore essential that a dust extraction system is installed on your machinery. We can machine these materials in our production shop.

What insulating technical composite should I choose for continuous thermal use of up to 1,000°C?

For continuous use at 1,000°C, Final Advanced Materials recommends composites made of ceramic fibres or calcium silicate. These materials have a low thermal conductivity (~0.08–0.35 W/m·K) and high dimensional stability. Nanoporous composites can go as low as 0.02–0.04 W/m·K but are more mechanically fragile. The choice depends on your requirements: thermal insulation or mechanical resistance. We require a complete description of the application and of the stresses before we can recommend the most suitable product.

What is the mechanical strength of compressed high-temperature composite panels?

Final Advanced Materials' high-temperature composite panels have resistances ranging from 1 to 40 MPa when compressed, depending on the density.

Light insulating materials (fibres and microporous materials) are limited (~1–5 MPa), while denser composites (reinforced silicate, zirconia) can resist up to 10–20 MPa and even as high as 40 MPa in the case of a calcium silicate with a density of 1,300 kg/m3.

Specifically: all inorganic composites which are capable of withstanding exposure to high temperatures (>300°C) have no elasticity and are therefore quite fragile.