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Post by decrepitoldguy on Apr 2, 2023 15:44:02 GMT -8
I'd like to mix up a batch of fumed silica rigidizer to drench some ceramic fiber blanket with. Does anyone have a recommendation for the water to silica powder ratio likely to give the best results? Thanks.
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Post by masonryrocketstove on Apr 2, 2023 18:49:24 GMT -8
Somewhere between 3 parts (volume) fumed silica in 7 parts warm water ..to 1 part fumed silica in 2 parts warm water, seems to be common mix.
It's not necessary to be super precise, since the powder can compact in the container and most people measure by volume ..or they just eyeball it without measuring. And since the water is just a carrier that evaporates out later. You'd probably only run into issues if you mixed it so thick that capillary action wouldn't draw it in as deeply into the fiber.. or if it was thick enough to clog a spray bottle nozzle. You'd probably have to go way overboard to get it that viscous.
Can be a little easier to mix thoroughly without clumping if you add the powder a little bit at a time while stirring continuously
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Post by decrepitoldguy on Apr 2, 2023 21:17:44 GMT -8
I'm considering using a Hudson agricultural sprayer to soak the batts with. Hopefully clogging won't be an issue, as it works great to spray fruit trees with a copper and Neem oil with. It puts out a good volume fairly quickly and is easy to clean.
I'll probably err on the side of caution and use the more saturated mix that you suggested.
I assume that once the batts are soaking that it's safe to remove my dust mask and goggles. Can I use a shop vac with a hepa filter to clean up the shipping container and then add water to the vacuum to settle the fibers for removal? Or am I being too paranoid? I don't want to recycle a cardboard box with silica fibers that some Waste Management guy might inhale later.
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Post by masonryrocketstove on Apr 5, 2023 2:23:34 GMT -8
I assume that once the batts are soaking that it's safe to remove my dust mask and goggles. Can I use a shop vac with a hepa filter to clean up the shipping container and then add water to the vacuum to settle the fibers for removal? Or am I being too paranoid? I don't want to recycle a cardboard box with silica fibers that some Waste Management guy might inhale later. Most unused Refractory Ceramic Fiber ("RCF") is not classed as a hazardous waste substance for disposal, so it can be sealed in bags or other containers for transport to landfill. At least in the US and Canada. Looks like the unused RCF waste is classed the same as amorphous glass fibers like waste fiberglass insulation is. Might be different if your RCF contains chromium for higher temp rating, so maybe check your product's SDS just to be sure. Chromed RCF is a lot less common these days, but a few manufacturers still make it. Zirconia impregnated fiber seems to be replacing the chrome kind in the market for most superduty applications. As an example, here's an SDS for a common type of regular 2300ºF ceramic fiber, without chrome: www.lewcospecialtyproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RG2300CeramicFiber.pdfFor disposing a used product, it's interesting that they say the fiber can contain elevated levels of cristobalite after exposure to high heat, and may contain other hazardous substances as a result of normal installation and use. I'd guess that could be stuff like residues from hazardous waste incineration, or maybe even the chemical effect ash might have on forming cristobalite at different temps like is talked about in the superwool disintegration thread. If you wanted to be extra safe, you could mix the dust with mud and form it into a solid cake before bagging it up. That would keep it from going airborne. You can also mix RCF into clay, mortar, cement, etc. to lock the dust particles into a solid mass. Could even be recycled that way in your perlite insulation coating you were planning to use in an outer layer of the kiln. Some potters even use ceramic fibers in clay wares and sculpture. Poses no risk when incorporated into a solid fired clay mass like that. Just becomes a part of the ceramic like any other grog or clay particle does. |
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Post by decrepitoldguy on Apr 6, 2023 18:52:29 GMT -8
Great disposal ideas, thanks.
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