Insulation Refractory

What is a Calcium Silicate Board?

Release Time: 2025-11-04
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Calcium silicate board is a high-temperature insulation material widely used in industrial furnaces, kilns, and boilers. Made primarily from xonotlite crystals and reinforced fibers, it combines excellent thermal insulation, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability under severe heat exposure.

Unlike flexible materials such as ceramic fiber, calcium silicate board serves as both an insulator and a structural support layer, providing lasting performance and energy efficiency in demanding thermal environments.

1. Composition and Microstructure

Firebird’s calcium silicate boards are composed of high-purity quartz (SiO₂), lime (CaO), and glass or carbon fibers as reinforcement. During production, these materials undergo a hydrothermal synthesis process inside a pressure vessel, forming xonotlite crystals (Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂) — a needle-like, porous structure.

This xonotlite structure creates a network of microscopic hollow spheres and channels that:

  • Trap air for excellent thermal insulation
  • Maintain rigidity under load
  • Resist thermal shock and cracking
  • Remain dimensionally stable up to 1100°C

The boards are 100% asbestos-free, chemically inert, and electrically insulating when dry, making them safe and sustainable for industrial use.

2. Key Physical and Thermal Properties

Firebird manufactures calcium silicate boards in several densities and temperature grades, all offering stable performance over long-term operation.

Property Range / Value
Classification Temperature 1000–1100°C
Bulk Density 170–500 kg/m³
Thermal Conductivity (200°C–600°C) 0.06–0.12 W/m·K
Compressive Strength 0.5–5.0 MPa
Flexural Strength 0.3–3.0 MPa
Linear Shrinkage (1000°C × 16h) ≤ 2%
Moisture Content 3–5%
pH Value 8–9

These properties ensure that Firebird boards provide consistent insulation efficiency, low heat loss, and long service life — often exceeding 20 years in well-maintained systems.

3. Available Grades and Types

Firebird produces multiple grades of calcium silicate boards to serve different industries and installation needs.

(1) Standard Grade – 1000°C Series 

  • Density: 170–270 kg/m³
  • Thermal conductivity: 0.06–0.12 W/m·K
  • Typical use: boiler walls, kiln linings, duct insulation, heat treatment furnaces

(2) High-Temperature Grade – 1100°C Series 

  • Density: 250–500 kg/m³
  • Compressive strength: up to 5 MPa
  • Used in: steel reheating furnaces, glass regenerators, cement preheaters, and power plant ducts

(3) High Density Calcium Silicate Board

  • Density: 850–1200 kg/m³
  • Thermal conductivity: 0.09–0.18 W/m·K
  • Features: non-wettability to molten aluminum, high thermal shock resistance, CNC machinability
  • Applications: launders, spouts, hot-top rings, end dams, furnace lids

High Density Calcium Silicate Board

Comparable to international grades such as Marinite A, N-14, and M1A, Firebird HD boards deliver strength and stability in environments where other insulations cannot survive.

4. Industrial Applications

Calcium silicate board application

Calcium silicate boards play a critical role in maintaining temperature control, minimizing heat loss, and supporting refractory linings across multiple industries:

Industry Application Examples
Aluminum Smelting Transfer launders, casting spouts, holding furnace covers, hot-top systems
Glass Industry Regenerators, crown insulation, annealing lehrs, forehearth backup insulation
Iron & Steel Blast furnace stoves, coke oven doors, reheating furnaces, dust-settling chambers
Cement & Lime Preheater cyclones, kiln risers, tertiary air ducts, firing hoods
Power & Energy Boilers, chimneys, waste heat recovery units, turbine insulation
Ceramics Tunnel kilns, firing chambers, insulation beneath kiln cars

 

5. Moisture Resistance and Handling

While calcium silicate board is stable under high humidity, it can absorb water through capillary action if left in direct contact with liquid. When wet, the board temporarily loses its insulation ability, but after drying, its full performance returns. Firebird provides two optional treatments:

  • Surface Water-Repellent Coating – for areas occasionally exposed to moisture
  • Full-Body Waterproofing – for improved resistance throughout the board

For best results:

  • Store boards in a dry, covered area
  • Dry at 105°C before use if moisture is suspected
  • For fiber-reinforced types, keep drying temperature below 250°C to protect fiber structure

6. Fire Resistance and Safety

Calcium silicate is inherently non-combustible (Class A1 fire rating). It withstands open flame and continuous heat without deformation or smoke generation. Because it contains no organic binders, it emits no toxic fumes, making it ideal for fire barriers, furnace covers, and thermal protection panels.

This fireproof nature also makes the material popular in passive fire protection systems, such as doors, partitions, and structural shields in industrial environments. It combines both safety and performance, serving as a reliable insulation layer even under extreme fire conditions.

CE-Certified Calcium Silicate Board

7. Installation and Machining

One of the key advantages of Firebird’s calcium silicate board is its machinability. It can be easily cut, drilled, milled, or shaped to precise dimensions — perfect for CNC customization and complex furnace geometries.
This allows engineers to replace traditional bricks with lightweight, uniform panels, simplifying assembly and reducing installation time. Typical processing includes:

  • Cutting and slotting with carbide tools
  • Polishing or edge-trimming for precision fitting
  • Fabrication into blocks, rings, or plates for modular lining systems

The result is consistent insulation thickness, reduced thermal bridging, and improved furnace efficiency.

Conclusion

Calcium silicate board is a proven high-performance insulation solution for industrial furnaces and high-temperature systems. Its low thermal conductivity, high mechanical strength, and fire-resistant composition make it one of the most reliable materials for modern energy-efficient operations.

With over 20 years of expertise, Firebird New Materials Co., Ltd. supplies CE-certified calcium silicate boards
for applications in aluminum, glass, steel, cement, and power industries. Every board is quality-controlled, dimensionally inspected, and available in custom-cut formats to suit your process needs.

Calcium silicate board


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a calcium silicate board used for?
It’s widely used as insulation and structural lining in furnaces, kilns, boilers, and molten metal systems, especially in aluminum and glass industries. → Read full article

2. Can calcium silicate board get wet?
It can absorb moisture but regains full performance after drying. Waterproof-treated types are available for better resistance. → Read full article

3. What are the disadvantages of calcium silicate board?
Though durable, it’s relatively brittle compared with fiber materials and needs careful handling during installation. → Read full article

4. Is calcium silicate board fireproof?
Yes. It’s a Class A non-combustible material and maintains strength even under direct flame exposure. → Read full article

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