Asbestos alternative 1

[zpiderman]

We have Asbestos curtains, surrounding a grinder, used as a fire shield in the rare event of an explosion (it's happened once in the last 20 years). I would like to replace these curtains with non-asbestos material. What material can I make these curtains from without loosing the fire protection of asbestos? Where can I find some?

 

[nbucska]

What is the potential explosive ?

<nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

 

[zpiderman]

The product we grind is Aluminum Stearate. The curtains would block the fireball (which lasts barely 1 second) from spreading and igniting something else.

 

[nbucska]

I would try a metal mesh/screen

<nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

 

[zpiderman]

What kind of metal mesh/screen? Would that block flames from passing through?

 

[nbucska]

Hi Zpider:
The metal screen cools the flames below the ignition
temperature preventing the explosion to propagate to
the other side of the screen -- see the coal miner's
safety lamp ( Dawy ?? )

<nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

 

[nbucska]

Search for &quot;davy lamp&quot;.
A properly designed screen can prevent even H2-O2 explosion
from propagating to the other side. The Al stearate is
a fairly poor explosive... it should take much to extinguish
it.


<nbucska@pcperipherals.com>