High Silica (SiO2) Content Fibres

Textile Technologies Europe Ltd offer a range of textiles made from a number of fibres which have a high percentage of silicon dioxide (SiO₂₎ within their chemical make up. It is the high percentage of silicone dioxide that gives these fibres resistance to high or extreme temperatures. Indeed the higher the silicone dioxide percentage the higher the temperature rating associated with the fibre (generally speaking) though what the remaining chemical components are, do have importance especially when considering other factors like tensile strength etc.

For example:

• E Glass rated to 550°C in optimum conditions has 53 - 55% SiO₂.
• S2 Glass rated to 750°C in optimum conditions has 64-66% SiO₂.
• S-TEX Silica rated up to 1000°C in optimum conditions has 94% SiO₂.
• Belcotex 110® rated to 1050°C continuous, 1200°C short term has 94.5% SiO₂.
• L-TEX Silica rated to 1000°C continuous, 1600°C short term in optimum conditions has 98% SiO₂.
• Fused Quartz rated to 1050°C for insulative applications and 1600°C in ablative applications and has 99.95% SiO₂ content.

How do S-TEX and L-TEX silica fibres differ?

• S-Tex Silica Fibre is made directly from the molten mix phase where the correct combination of sands are mixed, then furnaced to make molten and then extruded in to yarns with 94% SiO₂.
• L-Tex Silica Fibre is made by pouring acid over E Glass which removes the majority of the other chemicals to leave behind 98% SiO₂. This process is known as leaching.
• L-Tex silica fibre production is more complex and intensive than S-TEX silica fibre production and so the two textiles tend to differ in expense considerably.
• S-Tex silica fibre fabrics tend to be used more for industrial fabrication applications where there is more mechanical manipulation; and L-TEX silica fibres find their place in more critical applications, particularly in aerospace industries.

Belcotex 110® Fibres are produced by special chemical process from a silica gel known as SIAXOLOL, a polysilicic acid. They are entirely shot free and unlike the other fibres have excellent handling characteristics possessing a cashmere like feel. Belcotex 110® fibres are staple (short) which once spun, create yarns with outstanding insulative qualities. They also contain no binders whatsoever, and are fast replacing other traditional fibres particularly in  aerospace and high performance, extreme temperature applications.

Fused Quartz fibres are high strength extreme temperature fibres comparable to Alumina Fibre in terms of performance. Quartz fibre textiles are generally used as a composite material in radomes or as an ablative material in re entry heatshields for aerospace applications.

BELCOTEX 110® is a registered trademark of Belchem Gmbh, Germany.

All content provided on this blog post is for informational purposes and only serves as a guide. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

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