Manufacturers, Converters and Distributors of Thermal, Industrial and Technical Textiles.

Silica Fibre Technical Information

Silica fibre textiles are characterised as having a minimum of 94% silicon dioxide in their content which is the key element that makes the fibre resistant to higher temperatures. There are two grades of amorphous silica fibre which differ slightly from one another. We refer to these as S-TEX or L-TEX silica fibre.

S-TEX silica fibres are extruded directly from a special molten mix in the furnace to produce continuous filament 6 micron yarns that contain a minimum of 94% SiO2. They can then be voluminized, texturized, plied and or reinforced with steel wire. They are inorganic, sterile, incombustible, totally asbestos-free, do not contain any toxic matter nor heavy metals.

S-TEX silica fibre has the following key characteristics for thermal applications:

  • Rated up to 1000°C in optimum conditions.
  • High temperature stability.
  • Excellent thermal shock resistance.
  • Good dimensional stability.
  • Good resistance to chemical agents.
  • Low thermal conductivity.
  • Incombustible.
  • Good flexibility.
  • Characterised as having higher strength than BELCOTEX® 110 and L-TEX silica fibre alternatives.

BASIC COMPOSITION OF S-TEX SILICA FIBRE
SiO2 Minimum 94%
Other 6%

GENERAL PROPERTIES OF S-TEX SILICA FIBRE
Colour White
Fibre Diameter 6 micron
Fire Reaction Incombustible
Max Continuous Temperature Up to 1000°C in optimum conditions.
Shrinkage at 1000°C (2 hours) Approximately 5%
Weight Loss at 1000°C (2 hours) < 15%

 

L-TEX silica fibre textiles are produced by applying a special chemical process known as leaching to E Glass textiles. This leaching process converts finished E glass textiles that contains approx 55% Si02 in to a very pure grade of silica that contains a minimum of 96% Si02. They are inorganic, sterile, incombustible, totally asbestos-free, do not contain any toxic matter nor heavy metals.

L-TEX silica fibre has the following key characteristics for thermal applications:

  • Rated to 1000°C+ continuous. 
  • High temperature stability.
  • Excellent thermal shock resistance.
  • Good dimensional stability.
  • Good resistance to chemical agents.
  • Low thermal conductivity.
  • Incombustible.
  • Zero 'shot' compared with refractory ceramic alternatives. 

 

BASIC COMPOSITION OF L-TEX SILICA FIBRE
SiO2 Minimum 96%
Other 4%

GENERAL PROPERTIES OF L-TEX SILICA FIBRE
Colour White
Fibre Diameter 7 micron
Fire Reaction Incombustible
Max Continuous Temperature 1000°C+ in optimum conditions
Shrinkage at 1000°C (2 hours) Approximately 5%
Weight Loss at 1000°C (2 hours) < 15%

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