Scientists from St. Petersburg at the State University of Technology and Design have developed a unique thermal insulation material with record fire-resistant and high-temperature performance. The basis for its manufacture is a mullite – silica fiber, which has the highest fire resistance and low thermal conductivity.
The presence of the above-mentioned useful thermophysical properties allowed the scientists of SPbGUPTD to make a furnace from a new material with a low level of electricity consumption compared to analogues (which are "analogs" only for the intended use). At the same time, it was possible to achieve less heat release into the environment surrounding the unit, which has a positive effect on the working conditions of the workers.
In addition, the new material has successfully passed practical tests as the basis of thermal protection for special flight performance storage devices, that is, the so-called "black boxes" in the aviation industry.
As the creators of the new material themselves note, the single-layer lining (lining) of the internal combustion chamber of the high-temperature furnace with an insulating coating with a thickness of only 60 mm, allowed to reduce energy consumption by up to 25%, and to reduce the temperature of the external walls by 15 degrees, which, of course, improved fire safety during operation of the device.
As a test site, one of the Russian production facilities for annealing ceramic products was chosen. The use of new experimental thermal insulation materials allowed to improve the distribution of the thermal field inside the combustion chamber, which, together with electricity savings, saved the company that agreed to take part in the testing, more than 4 million rubles.
The new material is resistant to the chemical effects of acids, and is also designed for operating temperatures up to 1400 degrees Celsius. In general, the unique characteristics of the new domestic material allow it to be very popular among Russian industrialists seeking to obtain inexpensive and high-quality material to ensure production and compliance with fire safety standards.
The Russian material competes well with the offers from China, especially in terms of price, especially in terms of consumer characteristics. The form factor of manufacturing – in the form of bricks or slabs, or any other complex geometry that will be necessary for a potential customer to organize production.
Nikolay Gritsay