Carbon felts: indispensable element for thermal insulation

Carbon and graphite felts has several properties such as thermal stability and thermal reflectivity. Because of these properties, they are commonly used as insulation in industrial furnaces, due to the high operating temperatures.

For example, in the heat treatment industry, they are used as insulation for walls and doors in heat treatment chambers. For this reason, we have taken on the task of letting you know what they are, their usefulness, types and functions of the rbon felts

What are carbon felts?

They are carbon structures or fibers, or carbonized or graphitized material, which are used as a means of insulation in induction or vacuum resistance furnaces.

According to the type of heat treatment, the process is carried out under vacuum or in a controlled atmosphere with specific gases at temperatures ranging from 350ºC to 2000ºC.

Types of felts

There are different types of raw materials for the production of felts and carbon fibers. One of the most common are felts made from rayon or polyacrylnitril (PAN) fibers. Through a process of carbonization and graphitization, the organic material shrinks and its properties change. In this case we describe two types of felt:

• rbon: Ts is an economical version of graphite felt, which is used at low temperatures where chemical purity is of less importance. The fibers are subjected to a stabilization and carbonization process. They are used in furnaces with temperatures up to 1200ºC.
• aphite: Ihas the highest resistance to oxidation, because in addition to carbonization, they are subjected to even higher temperatures and for a long time in a graphitization process. They withstand temperatures higher than 2000ºC.

rbon and graphite felts oer greaadvantages, for ample:

• They are extremely resistant to temperature and oxidation.
• They have a low thermal conductivity coefficient.
• Easy installation.
• Dimensional uniformity
• Low specific heat (they heat up or cool down quickly).

Industrial felts

Felts provide workability, mechanical/chemical stability and best of all low cost, and can be used as thermal insulation or for the manufacture of composites or carbon-carbon (C/C) composites and sandwich structures. Some derivative products include: mechanical seals, bearings and rotary joints, among others.

In ESGRAF, we commercialize dustrial graphite and carbon felt, e. carbonized/ graphitized felts, for thermal insulation in high temperature furnaces. Request information here, or visit the site to discover other applications of graphite in industry.

Limitations to consider

Performance depends on graphite grade, grain orientation, temperature, load, pressure, speed, and operating environment. Material selection should be confirmed for your actual process conditions.

Information needed for a quote

To guide selection or prepare a quote, ESGRAF typically needs:

• Application and operating conditions (temperature, atmosphere, load).
• Dimensions, technical drawing, or CAD file when applicable.
• Required quantity.
• Requested grade or material currently in use.
• Observed issue with the previous part or lubricant, if any.

Request a quote

Share these details with our team at ESGRAF or request information. A specialist will review your application before recommending a grade or geometry.