In this article
- What Ceramic Fiber Blanket Is
- Ceramic Fiber Blanket Grades and Temperature Ratings
- Where Foundries and Smelters Use Ceramic Fiber Blanket
- How to Verify Quality Before You Buy
- How AL-LINX Supplies Ceramic Fiber Blanket
- FAQ: Ceramic Fiber Blanket
- What temperature can ceramic fiber blanket withstand?
- What density should I choose?
- Is ceramic fiber blanket dangerous to handle?
- How is it shipped from China?
- Does AL-LINX supply other refractory and foundry materials?
Ceramic fiber blanket is the workhorse insulation of high-temperature industry: furnace linings, ladle covers, expansion joints, heat shields, and backup insulation in foundries, smelters, and heat treatment plants all depend on it.
Specifying ceramic fiber blanket looks simple until an underrated blanket shrinks in service, opens a gap in the lining, and turns into an energy bill problem or a shutdown. The difference between grades is real, and so is the difference between suppliers.
This guide covers the grades, temperature ratings, and specifications that matter, and how to source ceramic fiber blanket from China with verified quality.
What Ceramic Fiber Blanket Is
Ceramic fiber blanket is made by spinning or blowing molten alumina-silica chemistry into fine fibers, which are then needled into a flexible, lightweight mat. The result combines very low thermal conductivity, low heat storage, and resistance to thermal shock, properties that rigid refractory materials cannot match in applications that heat and cool quickly.
Ceramic Fiber Blanket Grades and Temperature Ratings
Grades are defined by chemistry, which sets the classification temperature:
| Grade | Classification temp. | Typical chemistry | Common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (STD) | 1,260 °C | Al2O3 44 to 47% | General furnace lining, backup insulation |
| High Purity (HP) | 1,260 °C | Al2O3 47 to 49%, low impurities | Longer service life, cleaner atmospheres |
| High Alumina / Zirconia (HA/HZ) | 1,360 to 1,430 °C | Al2O3 52 to 56% or ZrO2 added | Hot-face layers, aluminum and steel foundry work |
Two numbers complete the specification: density (commonly 96 or 128 kg/m³) and thickness (13, 25, or 50 mm). Higher density improves handling strength and insulation at the cost of weight and price.
One rule prevents most field failures: continuous operating temperature should sit well below the classification temperature, typically by 150 to 250 °C. A blanket rated 1,260 °C is not a blanket for continuous 1,260 °C service.
Where Foundries and Smelters Use Ceramic Fiber Blanket
- Furnace and kiln linings, as hot face or backup behind dense refractory.
- Ladle and launder covers in aluminum casthouses, cutting heat loss between furnace and mold.
- Expansion joints and door seals, absorbing movement that would crack rigid linings.
- Heat treatment furnaces, where low thermal mass shortens heating cycles. Our guide to aluminum heat treatments shows why stable furnace temperature matters for temper quality.
How to Verify Quality Before You Buy
China produces most of the world’s ceramic fiber blanket, at every quality level. The specification sheet only means something when it is verified:
- Request a datasheet with tested values: chemistry, density tolerance, shrinkage at rated temperature, and tensile strength.
- Ask for the permanent linear shrinkage test result (24 h at classification temperature). Shrinkage above roughly 3 percent signals trouble in service.
- Confirm the producing plant and audit it, directly or through a team on the ground.
- Inspect before shipment: density sampling, roll dimensions, packaging integrity.
Also confirm the fiber classification for your jurisdiction’s occupational health rules, and request handling documentation with every shipment: refractory ceramic fiber is regulated material in several markets.
How AL-LINX Supplies Ceramic Fiber Blanket
AL-LINX supplies ceramic blanket sourced directly from certified manufacturers in China, with on-site verification of density, dimensions, and packaging before loading. Every shipment includes test certificates and full export documentation, with freight coordinated to Latin America, Europe, and other markets. For Incoterm decisions, our CIF vs FOB guide applies to insulation cargo as much as to metal.
Need consistent insulation supply for your furnaces? Contact the AL-LINX team with your grade, density, and volumes.
FAQ: Ceramic Fiber Blanket
What temperature can ceramic fiber blanket withstand?
Standard grades are classified at 1,260 °C, with high-alumina and zirconia grades reaching 1,360 to 1,430 °C. Continuous operating temperature should stay 150 to 250 °C below classification temperature.
What density should I choose?
96 kg/m³ suits most backup insulation and covers; 128 kg/m³ offers better strength and lower conductivity for hot-face and structural applications.
Is ceramic fiber blanket dangerous to handle?
Refractory ceramic fiber requires controlled handling: dust extraction, protective equipment, and compliance with local occupational exposure rules. Request the safety data sheet with every order.
How is it shipped from China?
In compressed rolls, individually bagged, packed in cartons or on pallets. A 20-foot container carries roughly 8 to 10 tonnes depending on density and thickness.
Does AL-LINX supply other refractory and foundry materials?
Yes. Alongside ceramic blanket, AL-LINX supplies silicon metal, cryolite, magnesium ingots, and graphite shafts and rotors, all verified at origin with full documentation.
