Fire-Resistant Felt (CeTech Carbon & Graphite Felt)

Overview

CeTech Fire-Resistant Felt is a high-performance, inorganic thermal insulation and flame-protection material engineered for extreme thermal environments. Unlike conventional organic textiles, this felt is manufactured from polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based precursor fibers subjected to controlled oxidative stabilization and high-temperature carbonization (for carbon felt) or graphitization (for graphite felt). The resulting microstructure consists of highly entangled, amorphous carbon or turbostratic graphite domains with low thermal conductivity (95% mass retention after 1000°C air exposure), and zero melt-dripping behavior. It operates continuously at temperatures up to 600°C in inert atmospheres and 400°C in ambient air — making it suitable for passive fire protection systems, thermal barrier linings, and personal protective equipment (PPE) where structural integrity under radiant heat flux (up to 80 kW/m²) must be preserved without degradation.

Key Features

• Non-combustible composition: Does not ignite, smolder, or propagate flame per ASTM E136 and ISO 1182; achieves Class A fire rating per UL 94 V-0 equivalent testing.
• Dimensional stability: Exhibits <±0.5% linear change after 24 h at 300°C in nitrogen; no creep or permanent set under static compressive loads ≤100 kPa.
• Low density & high specific insulation: Bulk density ranges from 0.08–0.35 g/cm³, enabling lightweight integration into multi-layer PPE systems without compromising thermal resistance (R-value: 0.8–3.2 m²·K/W depending on thickness).
• Mechanical resilience: Maintains flexural recovery >92% after 10,000 bending cycles (ISO 13938-2); resists puncture (EN 388:2016 Level 3) and abrasion (ISO 12947-2 ≥20,000 cycles).
• Electromagnetic compatibility: Electrically conductive variants (graphite felt) provide electrostatic dissipation (surface resistivity: 10²–10⁴ Ω/sq) and partial shielding against RF interference (30–1000 MHz attenuation ~15–25 dB).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The CeTech CF/GF series is compatible with standard industrial cutting, die-punching, ultrasonic welding, and needle-punching processes — facilitating seamless integration into laminated composites (e.g., with aramid, PBI, or stainless steel mesh). All batches undergo batch-certified quality control per ISO 9001:2015 and are supplied with full traceability documentation including raw material lot numbers, thermal aging reports, and oxygen index (LOI ≥65%). The material complies with EN ISO 11612 (protective clothing against heat and flame), EN 61482-1-2 (arc flash protection), and meets the flammability requirements for aircraft interior materials per FAR 25.853(a). It is also certified for use in Zone 1 hazardous areas per IECEx and ATEX directives when incorporated into certified assemblies.

Software & Data Management

While the felt itself is a passive material, CeTech provides digital material specification sheets (PDF/A-3 compliant) embedded with XMP metadata for automated BOM integration in PLM platforms (e.g., Siemens Teamcenter, PTC Windchill). Thermal performance data — including transient heat transfer curves, emissivity vs. wavelength (2–20 µm), and oxidation kinetics models — are accessible via CeTech’s secure Material Data Portal using unique batch QR codes. All documentation supports audit readiness for FDA 21 CFR Part 11 (electronic records), ISO/IEC 17025 calibration traceability, and GLP/GMP validation protocols.

Applications

• Passive fire protection: Liners for furnace doors, kiln car decks, and reactor insulation blankets requiring low thermal mass and rapid thermal response.
• Personal protective equipment: Core layer in NFPA 2112-compliant flash fire suits, EN 469-certified firefighter turnout gear, and SAE J1930-rated racing driver suits.
• Industrial process safety: Welding curtains, spark guards for grinding operations, and thermal shields for LNG transfer hoses and cryogenic valve insulation.
• Aerospace & defense: Thermal acoustic insulation in nacelles, bleed air duct wraps, and crew compartment fire barriers meeting MIL-STD-2031 requirements.
• Energy storage: Separator padding and thermal runaway mitigation layers in lithium-ion battery module enclosures (UN 38.3 compliant).

FAQ

Is this material certified for use in aviation interiors?
Yes — CeTech carbon and graphite felts meet FAR 25.853(a) vertical burn, smoke density (ASTM E662), and heat release (ASTM E1354) requirements when used as non-structural insulation.
Can the felt be cut using CNC waterjet without delamination?
Yes — optimized fiber entanglement and binder-free architecture enable clean, burr-free cuts at pressures ≤300 MPa without edge fraying or layer separation.
Does graphite felt retain conductivity after repeated thermal cycling?
Yes — electrical conductivity remains stable within ±8% over 500 cycles between 25°C and 500°C in argon, verified by four-point probe measurements per ASTM F1529.
Are material safety data sheets (MSDS/SDS) available in multiple languages?
Yes — SDS documents are provided in English, German, French, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese, compliant with GHS Rev. 8 and REACH Annex II requirements.
What is the recommended shelf life and storage condition?
Store unopened in dry, ventilated environments at 15–25°C and RH <60%; shelf life is 36 months from date of manufacture when stored per ISO 12944-5 guidelines.