FAQ: Silicone Coated Fiberglass Fabric

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 Silicone Coated Fabric: 硅胶涂层 |ADVANCETEX公司

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Q: What is the temperature resistance of silicone coated fabric?

A: The temperature performance of silicone fabric is excellent and is understood in two parts: "continuous" and "peak" tolerance.

• Continuous Operating Temperature: The silicone coating is designed to perform stably in a continuous range of -50°C to 260°C (-58°F to 500°F), maintaining its flexibility and protective properties.

• Peak Temperature Resistance: This is a composite system. The inner fiberglass base cloth (rated for 550°C) provides structural integrity. This allows the entire material to withstand short-term peak temperatures of up to 550°C (1022°F) (e.g., from welding sparks or high radiant heat) without immediate failure.

Q: How does it perform at low temperatures? Does it become brittle?

A: No. This is a key advantage of silicone. Silicone fabric retains excellent flexibility at low temperatures. It remains supple and elastic at -50°C or even lower, unlike other rubbers that become hard and crack.

Q: Is silicone coated fabric fully waterproof?

A: Yes, it is fully waterproof and non-porous. The silicone coating forms a continuous, dense membrane on the fabric surface, creating a complete barrier against water, steam, oil, and most liquids.

Q: How is its chemical, oil, and corrosion resistance?

A: Very good. This is a core feature of the fabric.

• Oil Resistance: It has excellent resistance to oils, including mineral oils, lubricants, and most hydraulic fluids, making it ideal for machinery and engine bay applications.

• Corrosion Resistance (Acid & Alkali): It can effectively resist splashes and corrosion from most diluted acids and alkalis, salt spray, and other common industrial chemicals.

Q: Is it suitable for outdoor use (UV and weathering resistance)?

A: Yes, it is ideal for outdoor use. The silicone coating is extremely resistant to UV (ultraviolet) radiation, ozone, and long-term weathering (sun and rain). It will not degrade, harden, or crack like many other rubbers, ensuring a long service life for outdoor equipment covers.

Q: How is the abrasion resistance?

A: Good. The silicone coating vastly improves the abrasion resistance of the base fiberglass. It "locks" the glass fibers in place, protecting them from mechanical wear, friction, and flexing, which makes the material highly durable.

Q: What is its mechanical strength (Tensile/Tear)?

A:

• Tensile Strength (High): This strength comes from the internal fiberglass base cloth, which is extremely strong (stronger than steel by weight). The fabric has a very high tensile strength and is difficult to pull apart.

• Tear Strength (Moderate): This is a characteristic of woven fabrics. Once punctured or cut, the force required to continue a tear is moderate. However, the silicone coating helps prevent initial tears and holds the fibers together.

Q: Is it a good electrical insulator?

A: Yes, it is an excellent electrical insulator. Both the fiberglass and the silicone rubber are high-performance insulators. The fabric has a high dielectric strength (voltage breakdown resistance) and is often used for electrical safety blankets, heating pad insulation, and cable protection.

Q: What is the difference between a single-sided and double-sided coating?

A:

• Single-sided: Lower cost, more flexible. Used when only one side needs protection (e.g., the inside of a fire curtain or the non-exposed side of an insulation jacket).

• Double-sided: This is the standard. It offers maximum protection, is waterproof/oil-proof from both sides, is more durable, and is the standard choice for removable insulation jackets, flexible expansion joints, and protective covers.

Q: Does silicone coated fabric fray when cut?

A: Virtually no fraying. This is a significant fabrication advantage. The silicone coating firmly locks the fiberglass yarns in place. When cut with a sharp tool, the edge remains clean and will not unravel or release the irritating fibers associated with uncoated fiberglass cloth.

Q: Can silicone fabric be sewn? What thread should be used?

A: Yes, it is easily sewn. It is the primary method for fabricating jackets and joints. However, it must be sewn with a high-temperature thread, or the seam will fail. Common threads include Aramid (Kevlar) thread, fiberglass thread, or stainless steel (SS) core-spun thread to ensure the seam's heat rating matches the fabric.

Q: What standards or certifications does this fabric meet?

A: This is crucial for verifying product quality. High-quality silicone fabric can be certified upon request to meet various international standards:

• Fire Standards: Such as UL 94 (V-0) (flammability of materials), BS 476 (UK fire tests for building materials), EN 13501-1 (EU fire classification of construction products), or NFPA 701 (US fire tests for textiles).

• Environmental Standards: The product is free of hazardous substances and complies with European RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and REACH regulations.