FAQ - Silicone Coated Fiberglass Fabric: Application Guide

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Q: What are the uses of silicone fabric? / What is silicone coated fiberglass fabric used for?

A: Silicone coated fiberglass fabric (silicone fabric) is a high-performance industrial composite material. Its core purpose is to provide "flexible protection" for various industrial environments. Its applications are extensive, mainly focused on four key areas:

1. Insulation (Outer Layer): As the outer cover for removable insulation jackets, valve covers, and pipe jackets, it protects the internal insulation from water, oil, and weather.

2. Fire & Heat Protection: Used to fabricate welding blankets, fire curtains, smoke barriers, and car fire blankets, resisting 550°C peak temperatures from sparks and heat radiation.

3. Flexible Joints (Non-metallic Compensators): Used to make flexible duct connectors and non-metallic expansion joints, leveraging its flexibility, airtightness, and durability to absorb vibration and thermal movement.

4. Industrial Protection & Sealing: Used as outdoor equipment covers, high-temperature gaskets, engine heat shields, and chemical-resistant barriers.

Q: Can silicone fabric be used for a welding blanket?

A: Yes, silicone fabric is an ideal material for light and medium-duty welding protection. In welding, silicone fabric's core role is "protection," not direct "resistance."

• Why it's suitable: Its fiberglass base ensures it can withstand a 550°C peak temperature, which is sufficient to shed sparks and light slag, preventing them from igniting or damaging surfaces.

• Core Advantages: Compared to materials like high silica cloth, silicone fabric's advantages are that it is waterproof, oil-proof, more flexible, and abrasion-resistant. It can be easily draped over machinery, car bodies, or cables to provide both contamination and heat protection.

• Selection Note: For heavy-duty welding (e.g., cutting or molten metal pools), a 1000°C-rated high silica cloth should be used.

Q: Is silicone fabric suitable for fire blankets?

A: Yes, silicone fabric is one of the common materials used for fire blankets. A fire blanket works by "suffocating" the fire (cutting off oxygen). Silicone fabric has two key properties that make it ideal:

1. Completely Airtight: The silicone coating is a dense, non-porous seal that instantly cuts off oxygen when draped over a fire.

2. High-Temperature Resistance: The 550°C peak temperature rating ensures it will not burn through or break when first applied to a small fire, allowing it to extinguish safely.

• Extra Advantages: Compared to traditional plain fiberglass blankets, silicone fabric is smooth, does not shed irritating fibers (safe for skin), and is easier to grip, use, and clean.

Q: What material is used for car fire blankets? / EV fire blankets

A: Silicone coated fiberglass fabric is the core material for manufacturing car fire blankets, especially for new energy electric vehicles (EVs). Lithium battery fires require a material that is "fast to deploy, high-heat resistant, and capable of containment."

• Why it's suitable: Lithium battery thermal runaway creates intense, instant heat and flames. Silicone fabric (especially heavy-duty, thick versions) can withstand the 550°C thermal shock. Its flexibility allows it to be draped closely over the vehicle or battery pack, serving to suppress and contain the fire in its initial stages.

• Function: Its primary role is to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent vehicles or structures, buying valuable time for fire response teams.

Q: What fabric is used for removable insulation jackets?

A: Silicone coated fiberglass fabric is the most mainstream and commonly used outer layer fabric for removable insulation jackets. An insulation jacket is typically a three-layer system: "Silicone fabric outer layer + Insulation wool core + Inner liner." Silicone fabric plays the indispensable role of the "protective shell."

• Core Functions:

  1. Waterproof/Moisture-proof: Protects the inner insulation (like fiberglass mat or aerogel) from becoming wet and losing its thermal value.

  2. Oil & Chemical Resistant: Resists oil drips and chemical splashes in industrial environments.

  3. Weatherproof: Resists UV and rain, allowing it to be used outdoors without degrading.

  4. Flexible & Durable: It is easy to sew into complex shapes (like valves or elbows) and is durable enough to be removed and re-installed multiple times.

Q: Valve insulation jacket fabric / Pipe insulation material

A: Silicone fabric is precisely the specialty fabric used for valve insulation jackets and pipe insulation (external wrapping). This is a more specific version of the previous question. Complex valves, flanges, filters, and long-range steam pipes all require custom-fit jackets to reduce heat loss. Silicone fabric is the first choice for these custom jackets due to its superior flexibility, water/oil resistance, and ease of fabrication.

Q: Non-metallic expansion joint material / What fabric is used for flexible duct connectors?

A: Silicone fabric is the core functional layer material for non-metallic expansion joints (flexible duct connectors). In industrial ducting and HVAC systems, expansion joints are needed to absorb movement from thermal expansion and vibration.

• Why it's suitable: Silicone fabric is one of the few materials that can meet all the following conditions simultaneously:

  1. Excellent Flexibility: Can withstand millions of flex-cycles.

  2. Airtightness: The silicone coating is completely airtight, preventing leaks.

  3. Temperature Resistance: Meets the requirements for most HVAC and hot air ducts (up to 260°C).

  4. Durability: Resists wind pressure, vibration, and outdoor environments.

Q: What material is used for high-temperature fire curtains? / What fabric is used for smoke barriers?

A: Silicone fabric is an ideal material for making fire curtains and smoke barriers (smoke curtains). In the fire safety systems of malls, garages, or large factories, a smoke barrier's job is to automatically deploy in a fire, containing smoke to a specific zone and preventing its horizontal spread.

• Why it's suitable:

  1. Fire Resistance: The material is non-combustible and can withstand 550°C hot smoke.

  2. Airtightness: The coating is airtight, effectively blocking smoke flow.

  3. Flexibility: The material is soft and pliable, allowing it to be easily rolled up in a cassette and deploy quickly by gravity.

  4. Durability: It is resistant to aging and easy to clean, ensuring low maintenance.

Q: What fabric is used for outdoor equipment waterproof covers?

A: Silicone coated fiberglass fabric is an excellent choice for premium, industrial-grade outdoor waterproof covers. Compared to standard PVC-coated tarps or Oxford cloth, silicone fabric's advantage is its superior environmental resistance:

1. Weatherproof: This is its biggest advantage. It resists long-term UV radiation without aging, cracking, or fading, lasting much longer than plastic tarps.

2. High/Low Temp Range: It retains its properties from -50°C in deep cold to 260°C in high heat, unlike PVC which becomes stiff and brittle in winter.

3. Water & Oil Proof: It provides reliable protection from water and oil.

• Application: Suitable for protecting expensive outdoor machinery, valve assemblies, or electrical control boxes.

Q: High-temperature sealing gasket material

A: Yes, silicone fabric can be die-cut or stamped into various shapes for high-temperature gaskets.

• Why it's suitable: It combines the dimensional stability of fiberglass (won't expand with heat) with the elasticity and sealing properties of silicone rubber. It is used in low-to-medium pressure applications, such as:

  1. Flange gaskets for hot-air blowers and ducting.

  2. Oven door seals.

  3. Sealing joints on large equipment (e.g., heaters).

• Advantages: Compared to a solid silicone sheet, it has higher strength and won't stretch or deform. Compared to asbestos or non-asbestos sheets, it is more flexible and provides a better seal.

Q: Engine heat shield material / Turbocharger heat blanket

A: Silicone fabric is a common material used for engine and turbocharger insulation. In the automotive (racing, performance), marine, and power generation fields, engine bays produce extreme heat, especially from turbochargers and exhaust manifolds.

• Why it's suitable: Silicone fabric (especially versions with an aluminized top layer) is used as the outer layer of an insulation blanket.

  1. Heat Reflection: It effectively reflects and blocks high radiant heat from the engine and exhaust.

  2. Oil & Fluid Resistance: It protects the inner insulation wool from contamination by engine oil, fuel, or coolant.

  3. Durability: It can survive long-term in a harsh environment of high heat and intense vibration.