PHOSPHATE COATED INORGANIC FD5ER AND METHODS OF PREPARATION AND USE

TECHNICAL FIELD

A high temperature resistant inorganic fiber useful as a thermal, electrical, or acoustical insulating material is provided, which has a use temperature of 1100 ⁰ C or greater. The high temperature resistant inorganic fiber is easily manufacturable, exhibits low shrinkage after prolonged exposure to the use temperature, retains good mechanical strength after exposure to the use temperature, and is soluble in physiological fluids.

BACKGROUND

The insulation material industry has determined that it is desirable to utilize fibers in thermal and acoustical insulating applications, which are not durable in physiological fluids, that is, fiber compositions which exhibit a low biopersistence. While candidate materials have been proposed, the use temperature limit of these materials have not been high enough to accommodate many of the applications to which high temperature resistant fibers, including vitreous fibers and ceramic fibers, are applied. Many compositions within the synthetic vitreous fiber family of materials have been proposed which are non-durable or decomposable in a physiological medium.

The high temperature resistant fibers should also exhibit minimal linear shrinkage at expected exposure temperatures, and after prolonged or continuous exposure to the expected use temperatures, in order to provide effective thermal protection to the article being insulated.

In addition to temperature resistance as expressed by shrinkage characteristics that are important in fibers that are used in insulation, it is also required that the fibers have mechanical strength characteristics during and following exposure to the use or service temperature, that will permit the fiber to maintain its structural integrity and insulating characteristics in use.

One characteristic of the mechanical integrity of a fiber is its after service friability. The more friable a fiber, that is, the more easily it is crushed or crumbled to a powder, the less mechanical integrity it possesses. In general, inorganic fibers that exhibit both high temperature resistance and non-durability in physiological fluids also exhibit a high degree of after service friability. This results in the fiber lacking the strength or mechanical integrity after exposure to the service temperature, to be able to provide the necessary structure to accomplish its insulating purpose.

Thus, it is still desirable to produce an improved inorganic fiber composition that is readily manufacturable from a fiberizable melt of desired ingredients, which exhibits low shrinkage during and after exposure to service temperatures of HOO ⁰ C or greater, which exhibits low brittleness after exposure to the expected use temperatures, and which maintains mechanical integrity after exposure to use temperatures of 1100 ⁰ C or greater.

SUMMARY

A high temperature resistant inorganic fiber that is useful as a thermal, electrical or acoustical insulating material is provided. The inorganic fiber has a use temperature of 1100 ⁰ C and greater. The high temperature resistant inorganic is fiber is easily manufacturable from a melt of fiber ingredients, exhibits low linear shrinkage, retains good mechanical strength and integrity after exposure to the use temperature, and yet is soluble in physiological fluids.

The inorganic fiber comprises calcia and alumina as the major fiber components, and has a phosphorous containing compound deposited thereon. At least about 90 weight percent of said fiber comprises the fiberization product comprising calcia and alumina, wherein said fiber contains less than about 10 weight percent impurities, and wherein at least a portion of the fiber surface is coated with a phosphorous containing compound.

According to certain embodiments, at least about 90 weight percent of the fiber comprises the fiberization product of about 20 to about 50 weight percent calcia and from about 50 to about 80 weight percent alumina.

A process for preparing a low shrinkage, high temperature resistant, non-durable vitreous inorganic fiber having a use temperature of 1100 ^° C or greater and having a phosphorous containing compound coating is also provided. The process comprises forming a melt with ingredients comprising calcia and alumina, wherein at least 90 weight percent of said ingredients comprise, in total, calcia and alumina, producing fibers from the melt, and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the surfaces of said fibers.

A thermal insulation article is additionally provided, the thermal insulation article comprises inorganic fibers comprising a fiberization product, wherein at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises calcia and alumina, wherein said fiber contains about 10 weight percent or less impurities, and wherein at least a portion of the fiber surface is coated with a phosphorous containing compound.

According to certain embodiments, at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises from about 20 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 80 weight percent alumina.

A method of insulating an article with thermal insulation is also provided, the method comprising disposing on, in, near, or around the article, a thermal insulation material comprising low shrinkage, high temperature resistant, non-durable vitreous inorganic fibers having a service temperature of 1100 ⁰ C or greater, said inorganic fibers of said thermal insulation material comprising a fiberization product, wherein at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises calcia and alumina, and about 10 weight percent or less impurities, and wherein at least a portion of the surface the fiber is coated with a phosphorous containing compound.

A method for reducing the hydration of inorganic fibers in a liquid is further provided, the method comprises adding to said liquid an effective amount of a hydration retarder.

A method for preparing a low shrinkage thermal insulation board resistant to 1100 ⁰ C or greater is also provided, the method comprises forming a slurry with inorganic fibers, a hydration retarder, and a liquid; removing the liquid from the slurry to form a board; and drying the insulation board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a scanning electron micrograph of a phosphate coated calcium- aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of about 65 weight percent alumina and about 33 weight percent calcia.

FIG. 2 is a scanning electron micrograph of a phosphate coated calcium- aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of about 55.8 weight percent alumina and about 42.1 weight percent calcia.

FIG. 3 is a scanning electron micrograph of a phosphate coated calcium- aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of about 43.5 weight percent alumina and about 53 weight percent calcia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An inorganic fiber that is useful as a thermal, electrical, and acoustical insulation material is provided. The inorganic fiber has a continuous service or use temperature of HOO ⁰ C or greater. According to certain embodiments, the vitreous inorganic fiber has a continuous service or use temperature of 1260 ⁰ C or greater

The inorganic fiber is non-durable in physiological fluids. By "nondurable" in physiological fluids it is meant that the inorganic fiber at least partially dissolves in such fluids, such as simulated lung fluid, during in vitro tests. The inorganic vitreous fiber also exhibits a linear shrinkage, as determined by the test method described below, of less than about 5 percent in response to exposure to a use temperature of 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours.

The low shrinkage, high temperature resistant inorganic fiber comprises the fiberization product of a melt containing calcia and alumina as the primary constituents. The inorganic fiber comprising the fiberization product of calcia and alumina is referred to as a "calcium-aluminate" fiber. The calcium- aluminate fiber includes a coating of a phosphorous containing compound on at least a portion of its exterior surface.

The raw materials for the melt may be obtained from any suitable source capable of supplying the required chemistry and purity. Without limitation, suitable sources of calcium oxide include calcium-aluminate cement having a desired ratio of CaO/AkCh, lime, limestone, and quicklime. Without limitation, suitable sources of alumina are those having the required purity and which may be blended as needed with the CaO-bearing materials to achieve the desired chemistry.

In addition to calcia and alumina, the calcium-aluminate fiber may contain up to about 10 weight percent of impurities. Such impurities may include iron oxides. If iron oxide impurities are present in the fiberization melt from the starting raw materials, they are usually present in an amount of less than about 1 weight percent, calculated as Fe2U3.

According to certain embodiments, the impurities may contain up to 10 percent by weight of silica, based on the total weight of the fiber. However, in certain embodiments the calcium-aluminate fibers may contain less than about 5 weight percent silica, or even as low as about 2 weight percent silica or less.

A method for preparing a low shrinkage, high temperature resistant, nondurable calcium-aluminate fiber having a use temperature of at least 1100 ^° C or greater is provided. The method of forming the calcium-aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients comprising calcia and alumina, and forming fibers from the melt of ingredients. The calcium-aluminate fibers may be produced from the melt of ingredients by standard melt spinning or fiber blowing techniques.

The viscosity of the material melt of ingredients may optionally be controlled by the presence of viscosity modifiers, in an amount sufficient to provide the fiberization required for the desired applications. The viscosity

modifiers may be present in the raw materials which supply the main components of the melt, or may, at least in part, be separately added. Desired particle size of the raw materials is determined by furnacing conditions, including furnace size, pour rate, melt temperature, residence time, and the like.

As described above, the calcium-aluminate fiber may be prepared by fiber blowing or fiber spinning techniques. A suitable fiber blowing technique includes the steps of mixing the starting raw materials containing calcia and alumina together to form a material mixture of ingredients, introducing the material mixture of ingredients into a suitable vessel or container, melting the material mixture of ingredients for discharge through a suitable nozzle, and blowing a high pressure gas onto the discharged flow of molten material mixture of ingredients to form the calcium-aluminate fibers.

A suitable fiber spinning technique includes the steps of mixing the starting raw materials containing calcia and alumina together to form a material mixture of ingredients, introducing the material mixture of ingredients into a suitable vessel or container, melting the material mixture of ingredients for discharge through a suitable nozzle onto spinning wheels. The molten stream then cascades over the wheels, coating the wheels and being thrown off through centripetal forces, thereby forming fibers.

The low shrinkage, high temperature resistant, non-durable calcium- aluminate fiber includes a coating of a phosphorous compound on the exterior surface of the fiber. While it is not necessary that the entire exterior surface area of the individual fibers be coated with a phosphorous containing compound, a sufficient portion of the surface area should be coated with the phosphorous compound coating to provide a calcium-aluminate fiber having a continuous use or service temperature of at least 126O ⁰ C.

A precursor to the phosphorous containing compound that is used to form the coating of the at least a portion of the surface of the calcium-aluminate fiber may include phosphoric acid in its various forms, such as a metaphosphoric acid, orthophosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, superphosphoric acid, any water soluble salt of phosphoric acid that includes the -PO4 group, and mixtures thereof.

Metal phosphates are suitable for forming the coating of the surfaces of the calcium-aluminate fibers to increase the temperature resistance of the fibers. According to certain embodiments, the metal phosphates that may be utilized to coat the surfaces of the calcium-aluminate fibers include the alkali metal phosphates and the alkaline earth metal phosphates. Without limitation, suitable alkali metal phosphates may include lithium phosphates, sodium phosphates, and potassium phosphates. Without limitation, suitable alkaline earth metal phosphates include magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphate. Ammonium phosphate may also be used to coat the surfaces of the calcium-aluminate fiber.

Linear shrinkage of an inorganic fiber is a good measure of a fiber's high temperature resistance or of its performance at a particular continuous service or use temperature. The calcium-aluminate fibers having a phosphorous containing compound coating on at least a portion of the exterior fiber surfaces exhibit a linear shrinkage after exposure to a service temperature of 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours of 5 percent or less. Thus, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers are useful for thermal insulating applications at continuous service or operating temperatures of at least 1260 ⁰ C or greater. Furthermore, it has been found that the calcium-aluminate fibers do not melt until they are exposed to a temperature of 132O ⁰ C or greater.

A phosphorous containing compound precursor is applied to at least a portion of the fiber surfaces. The phosphorous containing coating precursor may be applied on at least a portion of the surfaces of the calcium-aluminate fibers either during the fiberization process, or after the fiberization process has been carried out.

According to certain embodiments, the method of forming the calcium- aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients wherein at least 90 weight percent of the ingredients comprise, in total, from about 20 to about 50 weight percent calcia and from about 50 to about 80 weight percent alumina, forming fibers from the melt of ingredients, and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the fiber. It is understood that not each ingredient of the material melt must possess this calcia: alumina ratio, or any of the other calcia: alumina ratios described herein. Rather, the total amount of calcia and alumina contained in the material melt of ingredients comprises this ratio, or any of the calcia: alumina ratios described herein. Thus, in this embodiment, and the embodiments that follow, each ingredient need not have calcia and alumina in the disclosed ranges, but that total of such ingredients should comprise the disclosed ranges.

According to other embodiments, the method of forming the calcium- aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients where at least 90 weight percent of the ingredients comprise, in total, from about 35 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 65 weight percent alumina, forming fibers from the melt of ingredients, and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the fiber.

According to other embodiments, the method of forming the calcium- aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients where at least 90 weight percent of the ingredients comprise, in total, from about 37 to about 50

weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 63 weight percent alumina, forming fibers from the melt of ingredients, and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the fiber.

According to certain embodiments, the method of forming the calcium- aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients where at least 90 weight percent of the ingredients comprise, in total, greater than 50 weight percent calcia and greater than 0 to less than 50 weight percent alumina, forming fibers from the melt of ingredients, and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the fiber.

According to other embodiments, the method of forming the calcium- aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients comprise, in total, from greater than 50 to about 60 weight percent calcia and from about 40 to less than 50 weight percent alumina, forming fibers from the melt of ingredients, and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the fiber.

According to other embodiments, the method of forming the calcium- aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients where at least 90 weight percent of the ingredients comprise, in total, about greater than 50 to about 80 weight percent calcia and about 20 to less than 50 weight percent alumina, forming fibers from the melt of ingredients, and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the fiber.

According to other embodiments, the method of forming the calcium- aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients where at least 90 weight percent of the ingredients comprise, in total, fiberization product of a melt comprising about 60 to about 80 weight percent calcia and about 20 to about 40 weight percent alumina, forming fibers from the melt of ingredients,

and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the fiber.

According to other embodiments, the method of forming the calcium- aluminate fiber includes forming a material melt of ingredients where at least 90 weight percent of the ingredients comprise, in total, the fiber ization product of greater than 50 to about 70 weight percent calcia and about 30 to less than 50 weight percent alumina, forming fibers from the melt of ingredients, and applying a phosphorous containing compound precursor to at least a portion of the fiber.

The coating containing a phosphorous compound may be applied to the exterior surfaces of the fiber either during the fiber ization process, or after the calcium-aluminate fibers have been fiberized. It is useful to apply the coating of the phosphorous compound on the fibers surfaces during the fiberization process. According to this technique, the coating containing the phosphorous compound is sprayed onto the surfaces of the fibers at the point of fiberization with a suitable spray apparatus having a nozzle for discharging the coating composition onto the fibers. That is, the coating composition containing a phosphorous compound is applied to the fibers as the fibers are discharged from the molten mixture of ingredients.

The coating containing the phosphorous compound precursor may also be applied to the fiber surfaces after completion of the fiberization process by a number of techniques including, without limitation, dipping, immersing, impregnating, soaking, or splashing the fibers with the coating composition containing a phosphorous compound.

A method of insulating an article using thermal insulation containing coated calcium-aluminate fibers is also provided. The method of insulating an

article includes disposing on, in, near, or around the article to be insulated, a thermal insulation material that contains phosphate coated calcium-aluminate fibers. The thermal insulation article comprises inorganic fibers comprising a fiberization product, wherein at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises calcia and alumina, and about 10 weight percent or less impurities, and wherein at least a portion of the fiber surface is coated with a phosphorous containing compound.

According to certain embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises about 20 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 80 weight percent alumina.

According to other embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises about 35 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 65 weight percent alumina.

According to further embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises about 37 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 63 weight percent alumina.

According to certain embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises greater than 50 weight percent calcia and greater than 0 to less than 50 weight percent alumina.

According to other embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where

at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises greater than 50 to about 60 weight percent calcia and from about 40 to less than 50 weight percent alumina.

According to other embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises greater than 50 to about 80 weight percent calcia and about 20 to less than 50 weight percent alumina.

According to other embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises about 60 to about 80 weight percent calcia and about 20 to about 40 weight percent alumina, and wherein at least a portion of the fiber surface is coated with a phosphorous containing compound.

According to other embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 90 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises greater than 50 to about 70 weight percent calcia and about 30 to less than 50 weight percent alumina.

According to certain embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 95 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises about 20 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 80 weight percent alumina.

According to other embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where

at least 95 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises about 35 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 65 weight percent alumina.

According to further embodiments, the coated calcium-aluminate fibers included in the thermal insulation material comprise a fiberization product where at least 95 weight percent of the fiberization product comprises about 37 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 63 weight percent alumina.

Without being bound to any particular theory, the increased refractoriness of the phosphate coated calcium-aluminate fibers may be a result of the effect of the phosphate coating on the devitrification temperature of the calcium-aluminate fiber. That is, the phosphate coating appears to reduce the temperature at which the calcium-aluminate fiber undergoes devitrification.

Uncoated calcium-aluminate fibers undergo devitrification at about 91O ⁰ C. Between about 875 ⁰ C and 910 ⁰ C, the uncoated calcium-aluminate fibers are subject to viscous creep, which results in excessive fiber shrinkage.

Devitrification of a calcium-aluminate fiber coated with a phosphorous containing coating occurs at a temperature that is lower than 91O ⁰ C, perhaps as low as 810 ⁰ C. Thus, devitrification of the coated calcium-aluminate fiber at these lower temperatures substantially prevents fiber shrinkage through viscous creep.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are set forth to describe illustrative embodiments of the calcium-aluminate fibers in further detail and to illustrate the methods of preparing the inorganic fibers, preparing thermal insulating article containing the fibers and using the fibers as thermal insulation. However, the examples should not be construed as limiting the fiber, fiber containing articles, or the processes of making or using as thermal insulation in any manner.

Example 1

Calcium-aluminate fibers were produced from a melt of ingredients containing about 40 weight percent calcia and about 60 weight percent alumina by a fiber blowing process. A coating of sodium monophosphate was applied to the fibers by a spraying process.

A shrinkage pad was prepared by mixing the blown fibers, a phenolic binder, and water. The mixture of fibers, binder, and water was poured into a sheet mold and the water was allowed to drain through openings in the bottom of the mold. A 3 inch x 5 inch test piece was cut from the pad and was used in the shrinkage testing. The length and width of the test pad was carefully measured. The test pad was then placed into a furnace and brought to a temperature of 1260 ⁰ C for 24 hours. After heating for 24 hours, the test pad was removed from the test furnace and cooled. After cooling, the length and width of the test pad were measured again. The linear shrinkage of the test pad was determined by comparing the "before" and "after" dimensional measurements. The test pad comprising fibers manufactured from a melt of ingredients including about 40 weight percent calcia and about 60 weight percent alumina and which were coated with sodium monophosphate, exhibited a linear shrinkage of less than 5 percent after exposure to a temperature of 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours.

Example 2

Calcium-aluminate fibers were produced from a melt of ingredients containing about 37 weight percent calcia and about 63 weight percent alumina by a fiber blowing process. A coating of sodium monophosphate was applied to the fibers by a spraying process. The phosphate coated fibers were formed into a test pad and the shrinkage characteristics of the test pad were determined

according to the methods described for Example 1. The test pad comprising fibers manufactured from a melt of ingredients including about 37 weight percent calcia and about 63 weight percent alumina and which were coated with sodium monophosphate exhibited a linear shrinkage of less than 5 percent after exposure to a temperature of 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours.

Table I below includes a number of calcium-aluminate fibers produced in accordance with the present process.

TABLE I

*P2θ5 in Table I refers to either the phosphorous containing compound coating on the calcium-aluminate fibers or incidental trace impurity from the raw materials.

The calcium-aluminate fibers set forth in Table 1 above were analyzed for linear shrinkage after exposure to a temperature of 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours. The results of the fiber analysis are set forth in Table II below.

TABLE II

The durability of the calcium-aluminate fibers in physiological lung fluid was evaluated. The durability test measures the rate at which mass is lost from the fiber (ng/cm ² -hr) under conditions which simulate the temperature and chemical conditions found in the human lung. This test consists of exposing approximately 0. Ig of de-shotted fiber to a 0.3 ml/min flow of simulated lung fluid

(SLF). The entire test system is maintained at 37°C, to simulate the temperature of the human body. Tests preferably last for between about two and four weeks.

After the SLF has flowed through the fiber, it is collected and analyzed for glass constituents using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy. A "blank"

SLF sample is also measured and used to correct for elements present in the SLF.

Once this data has been obtained, it is possible to calculate the rate at which the fiber has lost mass over the time interval of the study.

The composition for the simulated lung fluid, which was used to test the durability of the fiber compositions of the present invention:

Constituent Amount/Make-up

NH ₄ Cl 10.72 g/50 mL

NaCl 135.6 g

NaHCO ₃ 45.36 g

NaH ₂ PO ₄ -HiO solution 3.31 g/50 mL

NaSCeHsO ₇ -H ₂ O solution 1.18 g/50 mL

Glycine 9.08 g

H ₂ SO ₄ ( 1 N solution) 20.0 mL

CaCl ₂ (2.75 wt. % solution) 15.8 mL

Formaldehyde 20.0 mL

To approximately 18 liters of deionized water, sequentially add the above reagents in the amounts shown in the above table. Dilute the mixture to 20 liters with deionized water and continue to stir contents with magnetic stir bar or other suitable means for at least 15 minutes. The results of the durability testing are set forth in Table III below.

Table III

The flux resistance of the calcium-aluminate fibers was evaluated. The term "fluxing" describes a reaction in which a relatively minor component (the flux) acts to drastically lower the melting point of a second material. The fluxing process can significantly compromise the integrity of a thermal insulation material. In the context of high temperature resistant insulation

applications, such as, for example, kiln insulation applications, a flux may be present in the fuel that is used to fire the kiln. Two common fluxes encountered in high temperature resistant kiln insulation applications are Na2θ and K2O, which are very damaging to refractory ceramic fiber. If NaaO and K2O are present in a sufficient concentration and come into contact with the refractory ceramic fiber, it will cause the refractory ceramic fiber to melt, thereby compromising the integrity of the insulation material.

The flux test is designed to test the aggressiveness of an impurity (the flux) toward the fiber at elevated temperatures. Briefly, a 1 gram sample of a powdered flux is piled in a 1 square inch area on the surface of fiber blanket.

The assembly is then heated to 126O ⁰ C (or the desired test temperature) and held for 24 hours. Following the heating, the flux attack on the blanket is determined by visual inspection. Fluxing attack results in melting of the fiber which is in contact with the fluxing agent. The degree of attack can be assessed by the amount of fiber which is melted. The results of the flux testing is reported in Table IV:

Table IV

Comparative Examples Cl 9 and C20 represent commercially available alumina-zirconia-silica fiber blanket, and Comparative Example C21 represents a commercially available alumino-silicate ceramic fiber blanket. The results indicates that the commercially available alumina-zirconia-silica and alumino- silicate blankets were attacked by the NaiO flux. In the case of the fiber refractory ceramic fiber material blankets of the comparative examples, the 1 square inch of blanket which had been in contact with the flux had melted. In stark contrast to the refractory ceramic fiber material of the comparative examples, no flux attack was observes for insulation blankets manufactured from the calcium-aluminate fibers.

According to certain illustrative embodiments, a method of controlling the hydration of calcium-aluminate fibers during production of thermal insulation materials is provided. The hydration of the fibers is controlled through the application of a hydration controlling agent to the surfaces of the fibers. The method for reducing the hydration of fibers in liquids may include adding to said liquid an effective amount of a hydration retarder.

According to certain embodiments, the method comprises reducing the hydration of calcium-aluminate fibers which comprise the fiberization product of from about 20 weight percent or greater calcia and greater than 0 to about 80 weight percent alumina.

According to other embodiments, the method comprises reducing the hydration of calcium-aluminate fibers which comprise the fiberization product of a melt comprising about 20 to about 60 weight percent calcia and about 40 to about 80 weight percent alumina.

According to other embodiments, the method comprises reducing the hydration of calcium-aluminate fibers in liquids comprises adding an effective

amount of a hydration retarder to the liquid containing calcium-aluminate fibers which comprise the fiberization product of from about 20 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 80 weight percent alumina.

According to additional embodiments, the method comprises reducing the hydration of calcium-aluminate fibers which comprise the fiberization product of from about 35 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 65 weight percent alumina.

According to further embodiments, the method comprises reducing the hydration of calcium-aluminate fibers which comprise the fiberization product of from about 37 to about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 to about 63 weight percent alumina.

According to other embodiments, the method comprises reducing the hydration of calcium-aluminate fibers which comprise the fiberization product of a melt comprising about 50 weight percent calcia and about 50 weight percent alumina.

The following examples are set forth merely to further illustrate the effect of the hydration retarders on calcium-aluminate fibers. The illustrative examples should not be construed as limiting the method of reducing hydration of calcium-aluminate fibers, the method of preparing a thermal insulation board, or the thermal insulation board prepared in according with the method.

Example 26-Control

A calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was tested for stability in deionized water. 10 grams of the calcium-aluminate fiber was added to 250 ml

of deionized water. The water solution containing the calcium-aluminate fibers was allowed to sit for 1 hour. The deionized water severely degraded to the calcium-aluminate fiber, leaving only a small quantity of non-fibrous residue in the water solution.

Example 27

A calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiber ization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was tested for stability in a solution of zinc chloride. 10 grams of the calcium-aluminate fiber was added to 250 ml of a 10 percent solution of ZnCk. The solution of ZnCb containing the calcium-aluminate fibers was allowed to sit for 1 hour. The solution of ZnCh still contained the initial 10 grams of calcium-aluminate fiber. Thus, a 10 percent solution of ZnCh did not degrade the structure of the fiber.

Example 28

A calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was tested for stability in a solution of sodium citrate. 10 grams of the calcium-aluminate fiber was added to 250 ml of a 10 percent solution of sodium citrate. The solution of sodium citrate containing the calcium-aluminate fibers was allowed to sit for 1 hour. The sodium citrate solution severely degraded to the calcium-aluminate fiber, leaving only a small quantity of non-fibrous residue in the solution.

Example 29

A calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was tested for stability in a phosphoric acid solution. 10 grams of the calcium-aluminate fiber was added to

acid containing the calcium-aluminate fibers was allowed to sit for 1 hour. The phosphoric acid solution severely degraded to the calcium-aluminate fiber, leaving only a small quantity of non-fibrous residue in the solution.

Example 30

A calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was tested for stability in a solution of sodium monophosphate. 10 grams of the calcium-aluminate fiber was added to 250 ml of a 10 percent solution of sodium monophosphate. The sodium monophosphate solution containing the calcium-aluminate fibers was allowed to sit for 1 hour. The sodium monophosphate solution still contained the initial 10 grams of calcium-aluminate fiber. Thus, a 10 percent sodium monophosphate solution did not degrade the structure of the fiber.

Example 31

A calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was tested for stability in a solution of sodium carboxymethylcellulose. 10 grams of the calcium-aluminate fiber was added to 250 ml of a 0.4 percent solution of sodium carboxymethylcellulose. The sodium carboxymethylcellulose solution containing the calcium-aluminate fibers was allowed to sit for 1 hour. While solution still contained calcium-aluminate fiber, the solution had gelled into a soft, solid mass.

25

Example 32

10 grams of a calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was added to 250 ml of a 5 percent sodium monophosphate solution. The calcium- aluminate fibers were allowed to soak in the sodium monophosphate solution for 1 hour.

The length of the calcium-aluminate fibers was analyzed by the settled volume test. After soaking for 1 hour, the fiber solution was introduced into a graduated cylinder. Water added to the graduated cylinder to 500 ml. The solution was agitated and was allowed to settle for 10 minutes. The highest point of the fiber column was then recorded. This is referred to as the settled volume test, which is an indicator of fiber length.

Example 33

10 grams of a calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was added to 250 ml of a 1 percent sodium monophosphate solution. The calcium- aluminate fibers were allowed to soak in the sodium monophosphate solution for 1 hour. After soaking for 1 hour, the fiber solution was analyzed by the settled volume test described in connection with Example 32.

Example 34

10 grams of a calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of

43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was added to 250 ml of a 0.5 percent sodium monophosphate solution. The calcium-aluminate fibers were allowed to soak in the sodium monophosphate solution for 1 hour. After

soaking for 1 hour, the fiber solution was analyzed by the settled volume test described in connection with Example 32.

Example 35-Control

10 grams of a calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was added to 250 ml of deionized water. The calcium-aluminate fibers were allowed to soak in the deionized water for 1 hour. After soaking for 1 hour, the fiber solution was analyzed by the settled volume test described in connection with Example 32.

The results of Examples 32-35 are reported in Table V below:

TABLE V

The results indicate that the length of the calcium-aluminate fibers was well preserved in each of the sodium monophosphate solutions.

Example 36

10 grams of a calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was added to 250 ml of a 5 percent ammonium phosphate solution. The calcium-aluminate fibers were allowed to soak in the ammonium phosphate solution for 1 hour. After soaking for 1 hour, the fiber solution was analyzed by the settled volume test described in connection with Example 32.

Example 37

10 grams of a calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was added to 250 ml of a 1 percent ammonium phosphate solution. The calcium-aluminate fibers were allowed to soak in the ammonium phosphate solution for 1 hour. After soaking for 1 hour, the fiber solution was analyzed by the settled volume test described in connection with Example 32.

Example 38

10 grams of a calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was added to 250 ml of a 0.5 percent ammonium phosphate solution. The calcium- aluminate fibers were allowed to soak in the ammonium phosphate solution for 1 hour. After soaking for 1 hour, the fiber solution was analyzed by the settled volume test described in connection with Example 32.

Example 39-Control

10 grams of a calcium-aluminate fiber comprising the fiberization product of 43.5 weight percent calcia, 54.8 weight percent alumina was added to 250 ml of deionized water. The calcium-aluminate fibers were allowed to soak in the deionized water for 1 hour. After soaking for 1 hour, the fiber solution was analyzed by the settled volume test described in connection with Example 32.

The results of Examples 36-39 are reported in Table VI below:

TABLE VI

The results indicate that the length of the calcium-aluminate fibers was well preserved in each of the ammonium phosphate solutions.

Having established that ammonium phosphate has a protective effect on the calcium-aluminate fibers, vacuum cast insulation board product were produced using a solution of 1 percent ammonium phosphate.

Example 40

A vacuum formed insulation board was formed from a slurry containing the following materials:

4 gallons of water 40 g of ammonium phosphate 600 g of calcium-aluminate fiber 260 g of colloidal alumina (Wesol D-30) 40 g of starch (Empersol) dissolved in 1 liter of water

Example 41-Comparative

A vacuum formed insulation board was formed from a slurry containing the following materials:

4 gallons of water 600 g of calcium-aluminate fiber 260 g of colloidal alumina (Wesol D-30) 40 g of starch (Empersol) dissolved in 1 liter of water

Example 42-Comparative

A vacuum formed insulation board was formed from a slurry containing the following materials:

4 gallons of water

600 g of blown refractory ceramic fiber

260 g of colloidal alumina (Wesol D-30) 40 g of starch (Empersol) dissolved in 1 liter of water

After vacuum forming, the boards prepared in accordance with Examples 40-42 were dried overnight at 100 ⁰ C. The boards were cut and measured for mechanical properties, which are presented in the following Tables:

TABLE VII TYPE A DUROMETER

TABLE VIII TYPE 00 DUROMETER

TABLE IX MODULUS OF RUPTURE

The boards prepared in accordance with Examples 40-42 were tested for mechanical properties and shrinkage following exposure at temperatures of 1000 ⁰ C and 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours. The results of the testing are reported in the following Tables:

TABLE X

TYPE A DUROMETER EXPOSURE TO 1000 ⁰ C for 24 hours

TABLE XI

TYPE 00 DUROMETER EXPOSURE TO 1000 ⁰ C for 24 hours

TABLE XII

SHRINKAGE AFTER

EXPOSURE TO 1000 ⁰ C for 24 hours

TABLE XIII

MODULUS OF RUPTURE EXPOSURE TO 1000 ⁰ C for 24 hours

TABLE XIV

TYPE A DUROMETER

EXPOSURE TO 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours

TABLE XV

TYPE 00 DUROMETER EXPOSURE TO 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours

TABLE XVI

SHRINKAGE AFTER

EXPOSURE TO 126O ⁰ C for 24 hours

TABLE XVII

MODULUS OF RUPTURE EXPOSURE TO 1260 ⁰ C for 24 hours

As indicated in the above Tables, thermal insulation boards comprising calcium-aluminate fibers possess good shrinkage and strength characteristics. Accordingly, the thermal insulation containing the calcium-aluminate fibers may be utilized in thermal insulation applications as a replacement for standard mineral wool or alumino-silicate refractory ceramic fiber. Thermal insulation material containing the calcium-aluminate fibers may be utilized for thermal insulation applications that require resistance of HOO ⁰ C or greater. Moreover, thermal insulation material containing the calcium-aluminate fibers may be utilized for thermal insulation applications that require resistance up to about 1200 ⁰ C. Without limitation, thermal insulation containing the calcium-aluminate fibers may be utilized to thermally insulate heating vessels, such as furnaces, in the chemical processing, petroleum processing, ceramic processing, glass processing, metals production and processing industries, or in the automotive, aerospace, appliance, and fire protection industries.

The calcium-aluminate fibers may be provided in the form of bulk fibers.

Additionally, the calcium-aluminate fibers may be incorporated into a wide variety of acoustical, electrical, or thermal insulation articles or products. Without limitation, for example, the calcium-aluminate fibers may be processed into high temperature resistant fiber containing blankets, including needled and stitched blankets, boards, braids, cloths, expanding papers, non-expanding papers, fabrics, felts, cast shapes, modules, bonded modules, mats, packings, ropes, tapes, sleeving, vacuum cast shapes, woven textiles, workable compositions, including high temperature resistant caulks, cements, coatings, mortars, pumpable compositions, putties, and moldable compositions.

The inorganic fiber compositions, method for producing the inorganic fiber composition, the various inorganic fiber containing articles, and method of insulating articles are not limited to the embodiments described above, but include all variations, modifications, and equivalent embodiments. The embodiments that are disclosed separately are not necessarily in the alternative, as the various embodiments of the invention may be combined to provide the desired characteristics. Therefore, the inorganic fiber, fiber containing articles, and methods for preparing the fiber and using the fiber as thermal insulation should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the attached claims.