Alkaline earth silicate wool: insulation fiber based on calcium and magnesium silicates, designed to dissolve in body fluids so it does not carry the carcinogen classification of refractory ceramic fiber. It comes in the same forms, blanket, modules, board and paper, with typical maximum use temperatures of about 1100 to 1300 C. It tends to shrink more than RCF and can react with alumina-rich materials it touches at high temperature.
Spec calls for AES wool on all new heater work, no RCF unless engineering signs off.
Also heard as
- AES fiber
- biosoluble fiber
- low biopersistence fiber
- LBP fiber
Related terms
Ceramic fiber
Wool-like high-temperature insulation spun from molten alumina-silica, sold as blanket, modules, board and paper.
Blanket
Flexible, needled mat of ceramic or biosoluble fiber sold in rolls by density and thickness.
Module
Block of folded or stacked fiber blanket, compressed and fitted with anchor hardware for fast furnace lining.