High-performance thermal seals are defined as materials that have excellent mechanical resistance to corrosive elements that are present in high-temperature applications as well as being flexible materials.
Thermal seals need to be made from materials that have a good balance of mechanical toughness and malleability to offer the formability that is necessary for sealing mating surfaces and voids in thermal components. Thermal seals should also have strong resistance to smoke corrosion, mechanical abrasion, and flame impingement as standard.
Carbon Bake Plants and Thermal Seals
Controlling heat and gasses is a critical element of operation in carbon bake plants. Thermal seals work to keep the areas that are most susceptible to leakage safe and controlled.
Thermal seals help with emission control, which is one of the main issues concerning the operation of the potline. There are many ways that thermal seals are used in carbon bake plants including:
- Anode bar seals
- Buss bar insulation
- Moldables
- External cathode bar seal boots
- Anode shell seals
- Duct connectors
- Door gaskets and seals
- Thermal shields
- Duct expansion joints
- Emission control seals
- Pot hood gaskets
- Spent potline covers
- Flexible trunk connectors
- Snake seals
- Air infiltration seals and covers
- Side shield seals
Thermal Seals from Mid Mountain
ARMATEX ® Q is a patented selection of coated fabrics and textiles which have been created for high thermal sealing applications. These thermal seals are designed using a variety of substrate materials as well as a refractory Q-Mix coating solution that penetrates the material and offers improved chemical, thermal, and abrasion resistance. This is achieved without having to reduce material flexibility. It is well suited to most heat treatment applications in carbon bake plants such as emission control and expansion joint.
THERMOPAK® Thermal Seals have been created by combining ARMATEX ® coated fabrics with HYTEX® textiles, producing a large range of tailored, high-temperature thermal seals. The materials that make these thermal seals such as silica and fiberglass can offer high thermal resistance. These thermal seals are frequently used to create high-temperature die-cut gaskets and tadpole gaskets, offering the best possible flexibility in a thermal seal.
Mid-Mountain Materials is highly experienced in the design and production of thermal seals for a range of applications such as those in carbon bake plants. The sealing fabrics can be fully customized to meet your requirements. To find out more about how Mid-Mountain can help you, get in touch today.