Die Cut Insulation: Applications and Markets
Choosing the right die cut insulation can be challenging. Product designers understand an application’s requirements, but sourcing managers are tasked with finding a die cutter who can recommend and then convert the right insulating materials. In this week’s blog entry, the second in a winter-long series from JBC Technologies, we’ll take a closer look at die cut insulation. If you missed last week’s introduction, click here for an overview of the materials we’ll cover.
Who Needs Die Cut Insulation?
Die cut insulation reduces heat, sound, and vibrations in applications ranging from household appliances and automobiles to industrial machinery and electronic enclosures. Die cut thermal insulation reduces the rate of heat transfer and helps to protect people and products from high temperatures. Die cut acoustic insulation reduces the intensity of unwanted sounds and may dampen vibrations that can cause noise and reduce the life of components. Die cut thermal acoustic insulation reduces both heat and sound.
Thermal Insulating Materials
As last week’s blog entry explained, JBC Technologies die cuts three categories of thermal insulating materials: ceramic papers, wet laid insulation papers, and needled blankets and mats. Each type has its advantages, but material properties vary. Let’s look at some examples. LyTherm®, a ceramic fiber, can withstand temperatures up to 3000° F. ManniGlas®, a wet laid insulation paper, can withstand 1200° degrees. Some needled mats can withstand only up to 1000° F, but come in blankets from 1/4” to 1” thick.
Die Cut LyTherm®
Die cut Lytherm® is used in high-temperature gaskets, refractory liners, expansion joints, foundries, and automotive applications. This high-temperature ceramic paper also comes in different grades, including a highly flexible material that won’t crack when wrapping tight diameters such as the mold wraps used in investment casting.
Die Cut ManniGlas®
With its consistent mid-temperature thermal performance, die cut ManniGlas® is a good choice for appliances such as domestic furnaces, industrial and commercial equipment, hearths, and heat traces. This wet laid insulation paper can also be laminated to foils, PSAs, and other functional substrates for die cut products that combine thermal insulation with heating shielding or acoustic insulation.
Die Cut Needled Blankets and Mats
One application for die cut needled blankets and mats is for thermally-insulating commercial ovens. To provide heat shielding, JBC Technologies can apply an aluminum foil facing to mats as thick as 1”. Die cut SuperWool®, a type of ceramic blanket, can be used in automotive exhaust heat shields, pipe wraps, annealing furnace linings, and process heater linings.
Learn More Next Week
We hope you’ve found this week’s blog entry to be helpful, and invite you to come back next week for the third installment in our winter-long series. Does your application require die cut insulation? Do you have questions about material selection and custom die cutting? Please contact JBC Technologies for the information you need.
ManniGlas® and LyTherm® are registered trademarks of Lydall, Inc.
SuperWool® is a registered trademark of Morgan Advanced Materials