Saftey Issues

[Johnny the oven man]

Ceramic fibre blanket is only dangerous when it has been fired and the binders have burnt out from the product. This only happens in the higher ranges of temperatures, which will never happen in a WFO. Yes, wear protection, but the sky is not going to fall down.

[brickie in oz]

So when the air is full of sparkling tiny fibres theres no problem?

[david s]

Originally Posted by Johnny the oven man

Ceramic fibre blanket is only dangerous when it has been fired and the binders have burnt out from the product. This only happens in the higher ranges of temperatures, which will never happen in a WFO. Yes, wear protection, but the sky is not going to fall down.

Can't agree, it is the fibres that are the problem and although they are held within the binder, on bending and handling, loose fibres will still become airborne, particularly when cutting the blanket.

[Johnny the oven man]

Yes, agree on both parts, but as it has been mentioned, NO human cases of cancer have been detected, only rats that have ingested the product have had issues.
I have been in the refractory industry for 30 years, and have never heard of anyone having any dramas.

[david s]

Originally Posted by Johnny the oven man

Yes, agree on both parts, but as it has been mentioned, NO human cases of cancer have been detected, only rats that have ingested the product have had issues.
I have been in the refractory industry for 30 years, and have never heard of anyone having any dramas.

Yes, it could be safe, but as cancers often take a long time to develop after exposure to carcinogens we might be in a waiting game. My Dad was a medical officer during one of the Maralinga nuclear tests. He died of cancer, probably as a result of exposure, 24 years after. You should have been given the MSDS on the stuff, here it is if you want to check it out.
Also, it is not the ingestion that is the problem it is inhalation. It's when it gets into your lungs not your stomach that is the worry.I work in a school and we are not allowed to let children have any contact with it.

FIBERFRAX® CERAMIC FIBER PRODUCTS

[mcreevey]

On the topic of ceramic fibre blankets ... I'm about to insulate my dome that has unfortunatley cracked during curing. I've patched the cracks from the outside, but i'm concerned that if further cracks develop, exposing the ceramic fibre blanket to the cooking chamber could it be a safety issue when cooking?

Thanks

[david s]

Yeah, I'd be concerned too. The fibres are considered dangerous if inhaled. I think they're ok if ingested. If you've sealed the cracks from the outside then there should be no way they can get out, but with expansion and contraction going on there could be some abrasive action going on where the blanket contacts the dome.