High Temperature Sleeves Protect in Extreme Conditions

Environments with scorching temperatures call for special types of wire, cable, pipe and hose protection. It is where automotive engine compartments, motorcycle exhaust systems, commercial and military planes, aerospace applications and many similar environments, face challenges like heat, hot surfaces, flames, sparks, temperature extremes, vibrations, shocks, cuts, abrasion, fuel, chemicals, gases and molten weld spatter.

The materials used and the construction of the various Techflex? High Temperature braided sleeves provide protective qualities in these settings, with fiberglass one of the most common base materials. Though Hermann Hammesfahr filed the first patent for fiberglass cloth in 1880, Owens-Illinois Glass Company is credited with inventing it for mass production, when researcher Games Slayter noted in 1932 that “glass wool” formed when compressed air was aimed at molten glass. He filed the patent the following year; and Owens-Illinois and Owens-Corning created “Fiberglas?” (its initial spelling), after discovering it was a useful, gas-trapping, insulating material with tensile strength. Fiberglas? was unveiled at the 1939 World’s Fair in shower curtains, drapes, upholstery, appliance insulation and other products.

Fiberglass in some of the Techflex? High Temperature braided sleeves is paired with other materials, including aluminum — an element with light reflecting properties that shields what it protects from temperature changes. Aluminum comes from bauxite, a clay-like rock with alumina and iron oxides. It was first discovered in the south of France in 1821, with the greatest supply and production found in Australia. Aluminum acts as a heat conductor and insulator to control temperatures and reduce fluctuations. Fiberglass sleeving may also be paired up with high temperature acrylic resin — a thermoplastic polymer that bends as it cools. Its lacquer-like consistency derives from acrylic and methacrylic acids and acrylate monomers. Though the term “acrylic” was first used in 1843, Otto R?hm of Rohm and Haas has been credited with inventing both acrylic resin and paint in 1934.?

The fiberglass yarns in Techflex? Insultherm? braided sleeves provide temperature resistance and thermal protection up to 1,200°F for wires, hoses and cables in exhaust systems and engine manifolds. With a resin coating resistant to cuts, abrasion, gasoline and chemicals, it holds up against melting, burning and becoming brittle. Insultherm? HD or Heavy Duty, has a high temperature fiberglass cord braided through it for added protection and expansion capabilities. Its high temperature acrylic resins add strength and fray-resistance to hydraulic and industrial hoses, welding environments, fuel lines and automotive applications. Insultherm? Tru-Fit provides fray-resistance and a primary insulation for toasters, coffee makers and other types of low voltage appliances in environments up to 1,200°F. For high performance engine and exhaust components, Insultherm? Ultra Flex? is a flexible and highly expandable sleeving that can be cut with scissors. Insultherm? Ultra Flex? PRO has a heavy wall construction that insulates pipes and hoses while offering abrasion resistance and vibration protection. Insultherm? Spark Plug Boots can sit directly on hot exhaust headers; and have a 3/4-inch diameter double thickness that slips over spark plug cables and boots, supporting right angles and guarding against engine heat up to 1,200°F.?

The T6 ThermaShield? reflective wrap covers wires, cables and bundles with braided fiberglass and a laminated, aluminized, metallic heat shield. It reduces heat transmission in temperatures up to 1,400°F by more than 50%, while resisting gasoline, chemicals, cuts and abrasion. ThermaShield? Convoluted reflects heat from sensitive electronics, wires and hoses, reducing the need for high-temp mylar tape or other adhesives. ThermaShield? Tube, ThermaShield? Wrap and ThermaShield? Flat endure temperatures up to 1,200°F, reflect radiant heat, insulate wires and components, cut easily with scissors and resist gasoline and engine chemicals. ThermaShield? Connector Shield cuts surface heat, while shielding plugs and receptacles in engines and exhaust systems. ThermaShield? Tape is made of 1 mil aluminum foil laminated on 2 mil glass cloth with silicone adhesive, offering high temperature, EMI (electromagnetic interference) and RFI (radio frequency interference) shielding.

Weld Wrap? is made of fiberglass yarns and a high temperature coating to keep welding hoses protected against molten spatter and abrasion. It can take temperatures up to 400°F and intermittent temperatures up to 750°F.

Silicone is also used within some types of high temperature sleeving. It derives from Silicon, a brittle crystalline that is one of the most plentiful chemical elements within the earth’s crust. It was Swedish researcher J?ns Jacob Berzelius who discovered and isolated it in 1824, converting it to a silicon powder used to make rubber, paint, resins and other materials.

The FireFlex? product line features silicone jacketed fiberglass sleeves that provide coverage in open flame and extreme heat conditions up to 500°F. FireFlex? is used in the racing world to protect against molten splash and welding sparks. It is non-conductive, does not become brittle, provides abrasion and puncture protection, can follow tight curves and resists automotive chemicals and solvents. FireFlex? Aero self-extinguishes in aviation environments with constant 500°F temperatures and molten splash up to 2,000°F. FireFlex? Snap Wrap snaps around welding hoses and assemblies, navigating tight radius curves and resisting automotive chemicals, solvents, abrasion and punctures. FireFlex? Flat offers similar protection in a versatile tape that wraps around irregular shapes like hose splitters and cable splices, overwrapping at 50% to double its protection.??

Vermiculite is one of the materials used in High Temperature sleeving that comes from the earth’s crust. It is a clay mineral that has a natural thermal resistance and peels back or exfoliates when it is heated, resembling mica, a silicate mineral. Its limited-expansion clay is used in brake lining, with fertilizer, as fire protection in wallboard, as a loose-fill insulation and as a high temperature coating. The texturized fiberglass yarns and vermiculite coating in Insultherm? Header Wrap manage heat, elevated temperatures and gases in high performance automotive headers and exhausts. Its 1/4-inch overlap lets warmth escape, without damaging the exhaust.?

Silica — a compound of silicon and oxygen that makes up about 59% of the earth’s crust — is incorporated within some of the Techflex? High Temperature sleeves. Flexo? Silica Sleeve is braided with silica yarns into a flexible sleeve that insulates exhaust systems, giving electrical cables and hydraulic and water cooling hoses thermal protection up to 1,800°F. The silica filament yarns in Insultherm? Header Wrap SI provides silica filament insulation in automotive applications. Weld Wrap? HD protects welding hoses with silica yarns in consistent temperatures up to 500°F — and intermittent temperatures of 2,000°F.?

Basalt originates from molten igneous rock that turn into dark crystals when cooling on the earth’s surface. It offers fire, sound and shock resistance, along with the ability to challenge temperatures up to 1,200°F. Basalt has been used in making building blocks, cobblestones and statues. When it is heated, it can be made into “stone wool” for insulation products. Volcano? Sleeve is braided of basalt fibers to provide fire protection in electrotechnical applications and automotive, airplane, ship and household appliance production environments. Volcano? Wrap envelops exhaust pipes in temperatures up to 1,500°F, adding 300°F temperature protection when it is wrapped over fiberglass. Volcano? Exhaust Sleeve has a structural paracord that cures when heated for added stability, while reducing surface temperatures, minimizing vibration, offering abrasion protection and providing unmatched aesthetics.

A crystalline polymer forms when polymers are melted, then crystallizes when cooled. Cotton is an example of a natural polymer, with polyethylene or plastic a few synthetic types. Once crystallized, polymers become more elastic; and gain thermal and mechanical properties. Dragon Blanket? is made of crystalline polymers and covers automotive engines from weld splatter up to 1,000°F. It may be cut and sewn into protective gear. Dragon Sleeve? guards hoses and wires against molten metal, flames, sparks and high temperatures, with a flexible and double wall braided fire-protective jacket. Dragon Arm? is made with a double wall construction of Techflex? proprietary “Dragon Fiber,” that protects welders’ and mechanics’ arms in temperatures up to 1,800°F.

Techflex? reflective lightweight Gold and Silver Foils are made of fiberglass-backed, fire and tear resistant aerospace materials. Both meet or exceed the FAA 12-second vertical burn requirement and are self-adhesive sheets that can be cut and configured to items they cover. Gold Foil has a 6 mil thickness, reflects up to 750°F radiant heat and works in a 500°F continual operating temperature. It is used for automotive firewalls, engine covers and in similar places. Silver Foil is 14 mil thick, reflects about 95% of radiant energy and offers thermal heat protection up to 1050°F and higher for short durations. It conforms and adheres to irregular shapes.

Visit Techflex? High Temperature sleeving for more information about all products in this category.