Have an unusual thermal insulation or fire protection application?

Can’t get what you need off the shelf?

Take advantage of our advanced thermal insulation and fire protections research and development capabilities.

We can design, test and produce thermal insulation textiles for a huge range of applications across a wide variety of sectors. 

We’re not allowed to talk about many of the projects we’ve been involved in, but needless to say, our solutions have ended up in some pretty challenging applications. Sometimes due to the performance of the materials needed, sometimes due to the limited dimensions we have to work with, and sometimes both.  

We can work with temperatures from absolute zero up to 2500 degrees Celsius. And we can design and produce materials that will work in all kinds of challenging environments, for example if there are vibrations or flexing to consider. Or if the environment is acidic, moist or if the material will come into contact with fuel. 

These are just some examples, but whatever your product needs in terms of thermal insulation and/or fire protection, we might have produced something very similar already. 

We have experience in many sectors including: 

• Motor racing 
• Marine 
• Defence 
• Passive fire protection 

• Thermal insulation  
• Welding  
• Heavy industry and mining 
• Health care (NHS) 

• Petrochemical 
• Nuclear 
• Renewable Energy 
• Power generation 
• Automotive 

Whatever you need, it starts with us getting to know the specifics of your application. 

The specifics of your thermal insulation or fire protection application 

Our experience in developing new thermal insulation and fire safety products tells us you won’t always know every parameter, but we’ll start with what you do know and work from there. 

We’ll ask: 

• What temperatures we’re dealing with 
• If there are any spikes in temperature 
• What’s the environment like? Dry, damp, acidic 

• How is your product made 
• What budget we need to aim for 
• Regulatory considerations

Prototyping your solution 

Once we have the specifics of your application, we’ll put prototypes together and thoroughly test them against your specification in our testing laboratory. This process often involves trial and error combined with our experience in creating unique solutions.  

It’s an iterative process of refinement until we have created a product that meets your specification in terms of performance and budget. 

Once we have prototypes that stand up to your specification in our laboratory, we’ll hand them over for you to test in the real world.  

We’ll then come back to you with options for production. 

We would like to announce the opening of THS GmbH!

THS’ European expansion – THS Technische Textilien GmbH

In part a direct result of Brexit, and the substantially increased bureaucracy and cost THS now face, we are pleased to announce the opening of our new German subsidiary in the Baden-Württemberg region – THS Technische Textilien GmbH.

THS’ primary objective is to maintain the quality of service and competitive pricing our customers know and expect, whilst we have been fighting hard to maintain this for our European customers from outside the EU, the reality is clear, we best achieve this by operating from within the bloc.

THS’ Sales Director Colin Stansfield said:

“The opening of THS Technische Textilien GmbH demonstrates our enduring commitment to all our customers and shows how serious we are about providing the best quality of service possible.  Initially the GmbH will service our current customer base, and allow us to better support our European distributor network from Spain to Denmark and Romania, followed by plans for expansion with new customers and accounts across Europe we have not been able to win from the UK.  

From the South of Germany, we have great logistic access to all of mainland Europe, which will reduce our current delivery times and actually make many deliveries quicker than our Pre-Brexit lead times – in some cases, a standard next day delivery may even be possible! It’s a very exciting time for all at THS.”

THS GmbH will be run by the same staff in the UK with a small team on the ground in Germany, therefore all relationships we have built with our EU customers will be maintained by the same people and team.

THS GmbH warehouse will gradually begin to build its own stock of THS core products, as well as products identified by specific customers. Stocked products will include the full range of glass cloths with silicone, PTFE, and PU coatings, foil and film laminated glass fabrics and even glass fibre needlemat.  Glass fibre needlemat will be a new offering for our EU customers as previous transport costs from the UK made deliveries uneconomical.

Auf ein Wiedersehen !

Product Focus – 8590SR.AS

ATEX tested, Anti-Static silicone rubber coated glass.

Silicone is a general all rounder in the thermal insulation industry, with good temperature range of -60 ‘C to plus 220’C for standard grey colour, or 250’C for some red and black coloured silicones. It also has good flame, weather, water and ozone resistance.

ATEX is the formal name appointed by two European directives for controlling explosive atmospheres. It is an acronym for “ATmospheres EXplosible”

Explosive atmospheres can be a result of various substances or airborne chemicals, this can include flammable gases, mists, vapours and even combustible dust. Once the percentage of the flammable substance reaches a certain level, the smallest level of ignition could easily cause an explosion.

ATEX is the European certification given to tested products and equipment to be deemed intrinsically safe. This simply means that the products are suitable for use within explosive environments.

ATEX directive is classified by ‘zones’;

Zones 0-2: Gas, Vapour and Mist

Zones 20-22: Dust and Fibres

An Anti-Static surface dampens, reduces or otherwise inhibits electrostatic discharges by preventing the build-up of static electricity.

If static electricity was allowed build-up on a surface, this can increase risk of discharge in certain environments, if an electrostatic discharge was to occur – this could damage property, equipment and in worst case scenarios ignite flammable liquids and gases.

ATEX tested – the electrostatic properties of this silicone coated fabric meet the requirement for intended use in hazardous areas zone 22 to zone 20. THS also have a PTFE coated glass fabric, which is also ATEX tested for all zones 0-2 and 20-22.

Product Focus – Acid Indicator

Specialist Acid-Indicator Silicone Rubber fabric.

Product Profile: Style 8590SR/AC

A specialist silicone coating from THS, when it’s critical that leaking valves, flanges and pipes are identified without delay, the use of covers and jackets made with our new acid indicator cloth is the perfect solution.

Developed to quicker identify leaks and spills of hazardous liquids, prior to standard maintenance checks requiring the removal of the jacket or system, which may of course by then be too late and damage already caused.

Giving all the benefits of silicone rubber; good temperature range, weather, flame, water and ozone resistance, with the additional benefit acid indication. Upon contact with strong acids, the modified silicone coating will undergo a highly noticeable colour change from green to bright yellow, allowing workers to easily spot leaks from a distance and take remedial action immediately.*

A highly visible colour change reaction to acid, even acids with a low pH.

Importantly, the indicator pigments will not fade outside, and will continue to work up to the standard operating temperature of silicone rubbers.

Designed for specific use as the outer layer on any kind of insulation jacket, therefore meaning that this fabric can be easily integrated into your current design.

*Samples will be issued prior to purchase to ensure the fabrics reaction in your specific application/acid environment. The rate of colour change is subject to acid strength and the quantity leak/spillage.

Product Focus – Alumina

A product that may go unknown for many, this product is reserved for the highest running temperature systems. Alumina fabrics provide resilience where standard glass, silica and ceramic textiles may fail.

With a chemical composition of; 72%: AL2O3 and 28%: SiO2. Alumina fabrics from THS can withstand up to 1250°C continuously, showing no loss of mechanical strength up to 1200°C and only marginal shrinkage at 1200°C after 30minutes.

Alumina fabrics from THS are boron free, meaning there is no risk of boron gas release at higher temperatures. This allows alumina fabrics, in certain applications, to be used up to 1395°C.

Alumina fabrics from THS come in a range of weights and thicknesses for varied applications, such as; Automotive Insulation, Furnace linings, HT Seals and Gaskets and other Turbo and Exhaust Wraps, such as within rockets and turbines.

Sewing threads are also available, manufactured from the very same fibres, which perform to the same temperatures as the fabric, ensuring the longevity of your system or product.

Foil & Film Laminations

Another major process which THS utilises to produce fabrics with enhanced properties is laminations, significantly here, foil & film facings.

Metallic facings are highly reflective, and are therefore chosen for use as a radiant heat shield, or as a radiant insulation layer. But foils and films are often confused – generally known as aluminised glass, or foiled glass. How do you tell the difference? The most simplistic way to identify is to remember, foil is what you roast your food in the oven in, but you eat your crisps from a bag of aluminised film. Easy, right?

Especially at high temperature, the very nature of bonding two or more components together with adhesive gives rise to an inherent weakness – the adhesive itself. Whilst aluminium foil and glass fibre will both withstand 500’c+ most adhesives used to bond the two together wouldn’t be able to perform to the same level.

We can use a variety of adhesives for lamination with a range of temperature capabilities, the core adhesive used is able to resist up to 150’c, however special adhesives can be used to increase this to 250’c:

1. -PU based
2. -High temperature silicone based
3. -Thermoplastic based
4. -Acrylic
5. -Sodium silicate (very stiff and brittle)

THS can laminate with a variety of different products, including stainless steel, foams, felts, adhesive backings and even customers own fabrics.

It is also possible to laminate to different substrates, such as Silica, Aramid or even Needlemat

Product Focus – 8590SWL1/IMO

IMO (International Maritime Organisation) Approved, Silica Wash Dipped, E-glass Fabric.

Through customer demand, THS started rolling out a new programme of product testing, to meet the stringent demands on IMO MSC 307(88) Annex 1: parts 5 & 2.

Silica Wash treatment greatly enhance E-glass fabrics temperature resistance, increasing the continual resistance from 550deg C to 750deg C. Bridging the temperature gap between standard E-glass and Silica or Ceramic fibres.

THS’s silica wash treated fabrics have been tested for retention of breaking strength after 24hours at 700deg C. they retained at least 18% of their breaking strength after heat treatment compared with other Calcium Silicate treated textiles which retained between only 10-15%.

8590SWL1/IMO is certified to;

IMO MSC 307(88): Annex 1: Part 5 surface flammability

IMO MSC 307(88): Annex 1: Part 2 smoke and toxicity

THS have a range of IMO approved fabrics, now standing at 6 products fully certified, including Silica Wash treated, Aluminium Foil faced, Silicone coated (single and double sided), PU coated and Wire Reinforced.

Product Focus – Intumescent

Intumescent coatings from THS.

THS’s coated fabric range is vast. 7660BI9 is one of the more technical coatings we apply.

When the coating is exposed to temperatures above 160deg C, the coating system will form an expanding carbonaceous char, which combined with an endothermic reaction will also retard pyrolysis of organic matter, suppress smoke release, dilute combustion gases with liberated water vapours and consequently provide a thermal insulating barrier.

7660BI9 has demonstrated, that subject to the way in which it is supported and suspended, it can achieve 120 minutes integrity performance, when tested in accordance with BS EN 1634-1: 2008.

THS have also fire and smoke curtain materials for 60, 90, 120, and 240mins integrity. We are always developing this range, and new fabrics will be coming to market soon.

Samples available on request to test within your system.

Product Focus – Oil & Gas Welding Drapes

Another industry standard that has been around for decades, mainly developed for the oil and gas industry – THS’ ‘blue’ and ‘green’ welding drapes are always in high demand.

The colours, originally applied for quick visual visual identification, define the fabrics weight and thickness;

Green – 630gsm, square weave E-glass, at 0.6mm thickness.

Blue – 840gsm, square weave E-glass, at 0.8mm thickness.

These fabrics are best suited to medium duty applications with sparks and small amounts of welding spatter, for heavier duty applications and in particular underfoot protection from molten metal slag, then THS Weldblock would be a more suitable choice.

They are designed to be used as a the name suggests, a drape, to protect the surrounding areas. Whether that be hung from a frame, or draped over an object in the immediate vicinity.

These fabrics can be supplied as a roll, generally in 25/50mtr lengths, or a pre-fabricated blanket e.g. 2mtr x 1mtr, hemmed with or without eyelets.

Product Focus – PTFE

PTFE is a high performance lamination or coating, which can be reinforced through the use of a base fabric, like glass fibre or kevlar, or unsupported through multi-layer cross lamination. PTFE, or PolyTetraFluoroEthylene is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has multiple applications. PTFE is more often referred to, or recognised, through trade names, such as Teflon ®.

PTFE, depending on how it is supported, can perform continuously in temperature ranges from -72deg C to +260deg C and be used in cryogenic applications when using an aramid base fabric. PTFE’s characteristics make it a very popular choice for non-stick or low friction applications, but also gives excellent flame, weather, ozone, and high chemical corrosion resistance to both acid and alkali.

PTFE fabrics are all-rounders in performance;

• Chemically inert
• Great temperature resistance
• Low coefficient of friction
• minimal to no surface micro-cracks leading to great water and oil tightness

Because of these extreme non-reactivity and high temperature resistance characteristics, PTFE is a great contender for many applications, be that thermal insulation, expansion joints, industrial pipelines, production belts, even with dangerous or hazards zones through special additions to the coating for anti-static or conductive surface resistivity.

Processing of PTFE can be very difficult, and sometimes expensive. Due to the high melting point, the transition of PTFE goes from a solid to a gas, it does not turn into a ‘liquid’ first, but softening to a pliable solid before turning to gas. It is at this stage which the PTFE can be laminated or coated onto a substrate.

Other versions of PTFE are available, such as expanded PTFE in different thicknesses, or in threads or coated packing’s and cords.

We also offer other family members of PTFE, such as ECTFE, which is a clear film regularly used for windows on flange jackets, allowing to view the valve without removing the jacket system. Many PTFE products available from stock, single and double sided and in a variety of colours, including Black, Orange, Grey, Beige, Clear and more.

THS also have tested PTFE fabrics to ATEX zones 20-22, and are currently undertaking further testing to certify one of our PTFE fabrics to all ATEX zones, check back for updates on this.

Fun Fact: PTFE is the only known surface a gecko cannot stick to….