Chemical Resistance

Saffil Alumina Fibres Technical Data

Saffil Fibre has outstanding chemical stability and resistance to degradation in a variety of demanding conditions including reducing atmospheres, vacuums at high temperatures and when under attack from metal oxides. The high content of crystalline alumina in all grades of Saffil and the absence of free silica make Saffil Fibre stand out from the competition

Transition Metal Oxides
In general terms transition metal oxides (eg Pb, Cu, Cr) act to reduce the melting point of fibres in Al-Si system as these oxides vapourize at relatively low temperatures forming a eutectic blanket on the fibre surface. The rate of this reaction is considerably less for 96% alumina fibres such as Saffil Fibre due to the low levels of volatile silica giving Saffil Alumina fibre longer lifetimes under these conditions than any other alumina containing fibre.

Acids
Saffil Fibre can be susceptible to attack from Fluoric Acid, Boric Acid, Phosphoric Acid and Hydrochloric Acid. However, in furnace applications these forms of attack will typically lead to premature failure of surrounding steelwork and supports before any serious damage occurs to the fibre.

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Saffil Alumina Fibres Technical Data
Typical Physical Properties

For refractory applications, SAFFIL fibres' benefits include:

• Stability to 1750°C
  
• Resistance to chemical attack
  
• High resilience
  
• Low linear shrinkage
  
• Very low 'shot' content (negligible)
  
• Lightweight
  
• Low thermal conductivity
  
• Low thermal mass
  
• Immunity to thermal shock
  
• Ease of fabrication
  
• High strength & modulus
  
• Uniform fibre diameter
  
• Safe to handle

For other applications, such as filtration and catalyst supports, special grades of SAFFIL fibre are available which offer additional valuable features:

• Reactive surface sites
  
• Large surface area
  
• High strength and modulus

SAFFIL fibre, 96 - 97% alumina, is available in mat, bulk, blanket and milled bulk fibre forms.

Products made with SAFFIL fibre can be engineered to be stable to 1750°C. SAFFIL fibre-containing products such as veneering modules, boards, vacuum formed shapes and papers are available for a range of temperatures 1100°C to 1750°C.