Our ability to produce heat insulation covers in complex and custom shapes has lead us in many new directions. By using some of our unique products – such as Pyreflect™, Pyroblanket™, Silicaflex™ and Nomex® Velcro – we can achieve highly customized characteristics of insulation value, abrasion resistance, moisture resistance, and noise reduction.
The photos show a custom-designed muffler cover built for Caterpillar® in Peoria, Illinois. In this example, Caterpillar required total fiber containment and the ability to reflect radiant heat back into the exhaust system on heavy equipment. We used a 32oz Pyroblanket® outer covering, as it has the ability to contain loose insulation fibers, flex continuously, and withstand hydraulic fluids and flame in the event of a fire. Our Insulflex® E glass insulation helps achieve a temperature drop of over 350°F (177°C).
On the interior, we used our Pyreflect™ cloth to reflect over 90% of the radiant heat back into the exhaust system.
In addition to mufflers, Insulflex® custom fabricated covers can be used to insulate and protect complete exhaust systems, manifolds and turbos. This is especially important in the forestry and mining industries, where a hydraulic hose failure can easily spray oil onto a hot engine component and ignite a flash fire.
OEM’s such as Caterpillar appreciate that all Insulflex® custom fabricated heat covers carry a unique serial number traceable to our Total Quality Management system. This allows for easy replacement and eliminates the need to re-measure when replacement covers are required in the field.
OEM’s using Insulflex® heat protection include Caterpillar, John Deere, Kawasaki, and the McLaren Formula 1 racing team.