Refrasil Protects from welding sparks and spatter
Refrasil is a preferred alternative to cotton/wool, fiberglass and other heat shielding material for protecting personnel, equipment and finishes from sparks and molten metal splash during welding and torch cutting operations. A single layer of Refrasil will often provide the same protection as several layers of other fabrics.
Both Refrasil UC100 and abrasion-resistant AR100 series products have important advantages. They protect at higher temperatures, exhibit minimal dusting and fly-off of fiber particles, and present no known health hazard. A low chloride content makes Refrasil particularly suited for nuclear welding applications.
While Refrasil protects and retains flexibility at 1800°F, with excursions to 3100°F, fiberglass breaks down at temperatures exceeding 1000°F. Also, unlike Refrasil, fiberglass is irritating to the skin of the welder unless treated with finishes, some of which are either flammable, smoke-producing, or generate toxic fumes. Other fabrics afford only minimal protection and lose their heat resistance at comparatively low temperatures, e.g., at approximately 450°F to 650°F.
Contains weld spatter better than fiberglass
When using fiberglass as a weld blanket, one must allow for more of a drop space than with Refrasil; weld spatter can be contained closer to the work area when using Refrasil. The fact that the same welding application can be handled with less material gives the user a definite cost incentive for using Refrasil instead of fiberglass. Also, when the weld splatter hits fiberglass it will burn through, potentially causing costly damage. Refrasil weld blankets, on the other hand, have sufficient toughness and heat resistance to prevent penetration from hot spatter.
Reuse gives Refrasil AR100 a major cost advantage
Reuse is a major cost advantage favoring Refrasil AR100 series fabric. It has a tough, sacrificial orange colored treatment that improves abrasion resistance, durability, and handling characteristics. It is resistant to minor dragging, scraping, tearing and snagging, as well as offering 50% improved seam strength over standard Refrasil. AR100 is easily fabricated by conventional methods of stitching, sewing and grommeting. Reusability makes Refrasil AR100 particularly cost effective, especially if one has a good recovery system with storage provisions.
Low Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity curves demonstrate the effectiveness if Refrasil as a weld blanket. Refrasil’s thermal conductivity properties are lower than most heat shielding materials. Refrasil resists heat flow more effectively than other heat-resistant fabrics, fiberglass or natural fibers.
Available in rolls or pre-cut
As a utility material for dropcloths or general weldprotection use, Refrasil UC100 and AR100 series are available in rolls and the user merely cuts the required length to suit the application. Standard roll sizes for all Refrasil cloth products are 50 lineal yards, +/- 10%.
Armil CFS also offers Refrasil UC100 in 1 yard or 5 lineal yard lengths. Other custom sizes are available.
Refrasil cloth products are manufactured in the USA!
Jeff is an author for Armil CFS