Replacement for asbestos?

[Jim Mackell]

I need to make a replacement insert that was formerly made with asbestos. The object is an electric flash arc insulator. In asbestos it's half an inch thick. It's oddly shaped and I can't cut it out of cement board. Are there any alternations that are insulators (or at least non-conductive) and toolable? (Need to thread some screws into it)

Thanks!

[Charles Lent]

Kaolin ceramic is one of the more common replacements for asbestos when used around high temperature portions of furnaces and also for fire proof blankets that are used by welders and fire rescue crews. In these cases it's called Kaowool. In all of these uses the ceramic is a woven fiber, but it can be compressed into sheets or forms. Maybe some research for Kaolin and Kaowool would find what you are looking for.

Charley

[John Lanciani]

Glastic ; http://www.glastic.com/en/products/glastic-electrical-products/flat-sheet-laminate.html

[Jamie Buxton]

What temperature do you need to withstand? When you say "electric..arc", I'm thinking thousands of degrees. But when you say "flash" I'm thinking that the high temperature is only microseconds long, and maybe it happens only rarely.

[Jim Mackell]

What temperature do you need to withstand? When you say "electric..arc", I'm thinking thousands of degrees. But when you say "flash" I'm thinking that the high temperature is only microseconds long, and maybe it happens only rarely.

The enclosure might get up to 500 or 600 degrees F for short periods of time. While being switched from one position to another it's not totally uncommon for an arc to be created. The insulator is for both heat protection and arc protection.

[Jim Mackell]

Glastic ; http://www.glastic.com/en/products/glastic-electrical-products/flat-sheet-laminate.html



John, this looks interesting. Any idea what the stuff costs? Their online store function isn't working. Looking for general idea for a couple of square feet.

[Brian Henderson]

John, this looks interesting. Any idea what the stuff costs? Their online store function isn't working. Looking for general idea for a couple of square feet.

Here's their list of distributors, maybe you should contact whoever is closest?

http://www.glastic.com/en/contact-us/authorized-glastherm-distributors.html

[Rich Enders]

Depending on your shape requirements you could make a mold or form from two part silicone around the existing asbestos insert. Then you can form the new part using cement or possibly other two part thermosets that have the 5-600F capability.

[Scott Hackler]

Yeah I was going to suggest Permatex red high temp silicon. It is rated up to 650F. Wouldn't likely be able to remove it easily after it sets up though.