You may know that calcium silicate is used in food preparation and as an antacid, but did you know that this food-safe anticaking agent is also used in insulation? In fact, calcium silicate is one of the most resilient insulation materials on the market today. This powerhouse material starts out as a powder, but is generally manufactured for insulation in one of these three forms: preformed block, preformed pipe, and board.
Asbestos Alternative
Asbestos was once considered the ideal insulation for many applications. However, it didn’t take long before people started to recognize the danger of this silicate mineral. The 1970s brought the abatement of asbestos. Calcium silicate was to take its place, being just as effective with none of the detrimental health effects. Today, it competes against other widely known materials such as rockwool and perlite.
High Performance Material
Often pressed into boards, calcium silicate will retain dimensional stability even in damp and humid conditions. This material boasts both high compressive and flexural strength, making it incredibly durable. These qualities are exactly what allow calcium silicate to last so long without deterioration or excessive shrinkage.
High Temperature Insulation
Calcium silicate can withstand continuous temperatures up to 1,200°F. Because of this, it is widely used in Europe for fireproofing. In Canada, calcium silicate is used in many different kinds of industrial facilities, including chemical plants, refineries, and steam electric power plants. Because of its stability, this material is even able to maintain its structural integrity even through constant vibrations induced by steam flow.
Calcium silicate is a material that exhibits impressive strength statistics and is nearly impervious to corrosion. It’s no wonder why leaders in industry trust their insulation to this product. If you’re curious as to how calcium silicate can benefit your company, contact us today for a consultation.
