Development and Testing of Extremely High-Temperature (1093°C and Over) Coatings for Safety Clothing

Various properties critical for satisfactory performance of the fabric at temperatures of 1093°C (2000°F) and over are described. There is a dramatic change in the properties of materials at high temperatures. Various coatings have been developed over the years to enhance the temperature capability of both organic and inorganic materials. These coatings are evaluated. The selection process and the effect of the coatings in different applications are described. The paper also describes the development of an inorganic coating that dramatically changes the high-temperature properties of fiberglass with very little outgassing or smoke. New test methods were developed to evaluate the performance of Zetex Plus made from highly texturized fiberglass yarn and coated with the inorganic treatment. The insulation properties and product life are significantly improved with the application of the Zetex Plus coating.