High Temperature, Non-conductive Material

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying materials that can withstand high temperatures (up to 800°C) while being non-conductive and less brittle than ceramics. The context includes potential applications in mechanical systems involving steel components and considerations for impact resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about materials that can endure high temperatures without being brittle, specifically for use in a mechanical system involving a hot steel coil.
  • Another suggests researching heat shield materials, indicating a broad range of options available.
  • Asbestos is mentioned as a high-temperature material (up to 1200°C), but concerns about its health risks are raised by multiple participants.
  • A participant expresses interest in using asbestos but acknowledges potential opposition from the assembly team due to health concerns.
  • One participant proposes using low friction brake lining material that can withstand up to 600°C as a potential alternative, pending its machinability.
  • Pure alumina paper and cloth are suggested as flexible materials capable of withstanding high temperatures, with a mention of alumina thread or yarn.
  • Crystal aluminum oxide (Garnet) is proposed as a tough material that can handle high temperatures and is mechanically stable.
  • Mica sheets are mentioned as another option, with a reference to their use in electrical applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of viewpoints on suitable materials, with no consensus reached on a single best option. Concerns about asbestos are acknowledged, but alternatives are also being explored without a clear agreement on the most viable solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note various limitations, including health risks associated with certain materials and the need for impact resistance in the application. The discussion reflects a range of material properties and potential uses without resolving the best choice.

Who May Find This Useful

Engineers, material scientists, and professionals involved in high-temperature applications or mechanical design may find this discussion relevant.

DEngineer
Messages
4
Reaction score
1
Does anyone know of any material that's not as brittle as ceramic that can withstand high temperatures and is non-conductive? I'm talking abou a max temp of 800degC of heat radiating from a hot steel coil. Components will be inside of the coil for a short period of time but trying to prepare for a system fault for where the components may sit there and cook...
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
There are many materials. Google heat shield material.
 
Asbestos is good to 1200°C and to 5000°C for a few minutes. The trouble is that it causes severe lung disease (cancer, asbestosis) if inhaled.
 
anorlunda said:
There are many materials. Google heat shield material.

You sir, are an asset to this board, and to the engineering community as a whole! Thank you for your insightful, thought provoking, life changing advice!
 
Tom.G said:
Asbestos is good to 1200°C and to 5000°C for a few minutes. The trouble is that it causes severe lung disease (cancer, asbestosis) if inhaled.

I'll look into this since I only need a small amount of it, however I'm sure our assembly team will oppose this. I'm looking for something that can take some sort of impact as it will be used on mechanical arms that close around the hot coil. They are pivoted using hydraulic cylinders, so they dock I'm sure there will be some impact / vibration. The whole point of what I'm doing is to make some type of linear position limit switch, to know when the arms have docked completely. I can't seem to the find a limit switch on the market that can withstand the temps. So since the arms are made of steel I'm thinking of using them as the switch. They close the circuit, but only when fully docked. So I need to isolate the male and female docking components as they guide each other in, then when fully docked, some type of lever or finger that can complete the circuit. So the material I am looking for will be used as a stand-off or some type of spacer between the docking components and the arms...

Thanks for the suggestion!
 
DEngineer said:
You sir, are an asset to this board, and to the engineering community as a whole! Thank you for your insightful, thought provoking, life changing advice!
I always thought so...
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters
Tom.G said:
Asbestos is good to 1200°C and to 5000°C for a few minutes. The trouble is that it causes severe lung disease (cancer, asbestosis) if inhaled.

Your suggestion got me thinking and I found some low friction brake lining material (non asbestos) that can withstand up to 600deg C. Have a sample coming in tomorrow. If it has good machinability, then we have a winner!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Tom.G
There does exist pure alumina paper and cloth. They are made for far higher temperatures and are flexible. You could
wrap something with this and use some metal ties to hold it together. Or, I think alumina thread or yarn may exist as well, though not sure a knot could be formed with it.
 
Last edited:
Crystal aluminum oxide, might do the trick (Garnet)
It can take high temperatures, and is about the toughest material going.
Slightly less hard than diamond, but very mechanically stable.
 
  • #10
Mica sheet is available in large sheets or "books". Look at how electrical bread toaster elements are made.
 

Similar threads

Inductive Heating of a Non-Conductive Reactor's Contents
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
High Temperature and Very High Temperature Materials
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Help finding the right material for non-conductive tubing
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Brittle to Ductile transition temperature of steel S450GD
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Corrosion resistant material at high temperature/high pressure?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Magnetic conductive material but thermally non conductive
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Find a Strong and Non-Conductive Material for High Pressure Applications
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
What Material for Non-Corrosive Pipes in Compost?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High temperature insulating material for new engine concept
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
GRX-810, Advanced Multi-principal Element Alloy (MPEA)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K