Ceramic Fiber Blanket

Few materials do as much heavy lifting in high-temperature industries as ceramic fiber blanket. Lightweight, flexible, and capable of withstanding continuous service temperatures up to 1430°C (2600°F), this refractory insulation product has become the default choice for furnace linings, kiln insulation, expansion joints, and countless other thermal management applications.

If you’re specifying insulation for a new furnace, replacing a worn-out lining, or simply trying to understand which refractory product fits your project, this guide covers everything you need to know about ceramic fiber blanket — what it’s made of, how it’s graded, where it’s used, and how it stacks up against related products like ceramic fiber board, ceramic fiber paper, ceramic fiber module, and ceramic fiber rope.

What Is Ceramic Fiber Blanket?

Ceramic fiber blanket is a needled, mat-like insulation material manufactured by spinning or blowing molten alumina-silica (Al₂O₃-SiO₂) into long, fine fibers, which are then cross-lapped into layers and mechanically needled to create a durable, resilient blanket. The needling process interlocks the fibers, giving the blanket tensile strength, resistance to delamination, and the flexibility to wrap around curved surfaces, pipes, and irregular furnace geometries.

Unlike rigid insulation, ceramic fiber blanket compresses easily for shipping and installation, then springs back to its original thickness once unrolled — a property known as “recovery” that helps it maintain a tight seal even after repeated thermal cycling.

Raw Materials and Manufacturing Process

Standard ceramic fiber blanket is produced from a melt of:

• Alumina (Al₂O₃): typically 45–47%
• Silica (SiO₂): typically 50–53%
• Trace amounts of other oxides depending on the grade

For higher-temperature grades, manufacturers add zirconia (ZrO₂) to boost thermal stability, or shift to a polycrystalline alumina fiber formulation for service above 1400°C. The molten mixture is spun or blown into fibers using a centrifugal or blowing

Ceramic Fiber Blanket Density and Thickness: How to Choose

Density and thickness are the two variables that most affect insulating performance and cost:

• 64 kg/m³ — economical, general-purpose insulation for lower-temperature backup layers
• 96 kg/m³ — the most common density for furnace and kiln linings; balances cost and performance
• 128 kg/m³ — used where higher compressive strength and lower shrinkage are needed
• 160 kg/m³ — specified for demanding applications with high gas velocity or where minimal shrinkage over time is critical

Thicker blankets (25mm, 38mm, 50mm) or multiple layered courses are used for higher o

Common Applications of Ceramic Fiber Blanket

Ceramic fiber blanket is used across virtually every high-temperature industry:

Annealing and tempering furnace linings in the glass and metals industries

Furnace and kiln lining — petrochemical furnaces, ceramic kilns, glass furnaces, heat-treating furnaces

Boiler insulation — power plant boilers, industrial boilers

Expansion joints and seals — filling gaps between refractory brick sections to absorb thermal expansion

Removable insulation blankets — wrapped and sewn covers for valves, flanges, and pipe fittings in petrochemical plants

Fire protection — passive fire barriers, penetration seals, and fire-rated curtains

Aerospace and automotive — exhaust wrapping, catalytic converter mounting mats, engine bay insulation

Backup insulation — layered behind ceramic fiber board or firebrick to reduce overall system weight and cost

Common Applications of Ceramic Fiber Blanket

Ceramic fiber blanket is used across virtually every high-temperature industry:

Annealing and tempering furnace linings in the glass and metals industries

Furnace and kiln lining — petrochemical furnaces, ceramic kilns, glass furnaces, heat-treating furnaces

Boiler insulation — power plant boilers, industrial boilers

Expansion joints and seals — filling gaps between refractory brick sections to absorb thermal expansion

Removable insulation blankets — wrapped and sewn covers for valves, flanges, and pipe fittings in petrochemical plants

Fire protection — passive fire barriers, penetration seals, and fire-rated curtains

Aerospace and automotive — exhaust wrapping, catalytic converter mounting mats, engine bay insulation

Backup insulation — layered behind ceramic fiber board or firebrick to reduce overall system weight and cost

Key Properties That Make Ceramic Fiber Blanket So Widely Used

1. Low Thermal Conductivity

Ceramic fiber blanket has excellent insulating value, with thermal conductivity typically between 0.1–0.3 W/m·K depending on temperature and density. This means less energy loss through furnace walls and lower fuel or electricity consumption.

2. Low Thermal Mass

Because the fibers are extremely fine and the blanket itself is lightweight (typically 64, 96, 128, or 160 kg/m³ density), it stores very little heat compared to brick or castable refractories. This allows furnaces lined with ceramic fiber blanket to heat up and cool down rapidly — a major advantage for batch processes and applications requiring frequent thermal cycling.

3. High Temperature Resistance

Depending on grade, ceramic fiber blanket can withstand continuous exposure to:

4. Excellent Thermal Shock Resistance

Ceramic fiber blanket doesn’t crack, spall, or degrade rapidly under sudden temperature swings — a common failure mode for rigid refractory brick.

5. Chemical Stability

It resists most chemical attack and doesn’t react with common furnace atmospheres, though it should be checked for compatibility with strong alkalis or hydrofluoric acid environments.

6. Sound Absorption

Because of its fibrous, porous structure, ceramic fiber blanket also functions as an effective acoustic insulator in high-temperature ducting and exhaust systems.

7. Low Weight, Easy Handling

At a fraction of the weight of firebrick, ceramic fiber blanket reduces structural loading on furna

Ceramic Fiber Blanket Technical Parameters