Low thermal mass furnace linings

Abstract

Originally heat treatment furnaces were lined with dense fireclay bricks with insulating materials as a backing. Since the development of hot face insulating firebricks in the 1930's, most heat treatment furnaces have been lined with this material to take advantage of its lighter weight, lower heat storage and lower thermal conductivity. Over the last ten years or so, ceramic fibres, mainly in the form of blankets, have become increasingly used as heat treatment furnace linings. Ceramic fibres have even lower densities, heat storage and thermal conductivity than insulating fibrebricks.