Alumina Fabric

Temperature Resistance 1,250°C

Alumina products offer exceptional durability where traditional glass, silica, and ceramic textiles might not hold up. The most common form of Alumina fibre is 72%, consisting of 72% Al₂O₃ (alumina) and 28% SiO₂ (silicon dioxide). There are also 85% and 99% Al₂O₃ purity fibres available. Alumina products can endure temperatures of 1250°C or even 1395°C depending on the fibre type. They maintain their mechanical strength and only have a slight shrinkage observed at that temperature after 30 minutes.

Additionally, THS’s alumina fabrics are free from boron, eliminating the risk of boron gas emissions at elevated temperatures. This feature enables the use of alumina fabrics in specific applications at temperatures reaching 1395°C.

Alumina fabrics offered by THS are available in various weights and thicknesses, making them suitable for a wide array of applications. These include automotive insulation, furnace linings, high-temperature seals and gaskets, as well as insulation for turbo systems and exhausts, including use in rockets and turbines.

In principle, all the treatments and coatings that could be applied to E-glass, silica and aramid fabrics, could be applied to alumina fabrics including:

• Dipped Treatments
• Laminated
• Heat Treated & Caramelised
• Polymer Coatings

However, due to the extreme temperature resistance of alumina, these additions would not improve the fabrics temperature performance. Although they might be applied to improve fabrication or tailoring, or to provide waterproofing properties whilst at low temperatures.

Woven Alumina is very expensive and therefore only commercially viable for a very limited number of applications where no other fibre will do the job. Woven Alumina is available in the following constructions:

Weight (g/m2)	Weave Pattern	Thickness (mm)	Common widths (mm)
128	Plain	0.21	1000
145	Plain	0.41	1000
260	Twill/Satin	0.25	1000
280	Plain	0.31	1000
440	Twill	0.35	1000
500	Plain	0.87	1000
670	Satin	0.97	1000
940	Double Twill	1.35	1000

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. They are available as both hand sewing, and machine sewing thread options.

Diameter of threads from 0.53mm – 1mm.

Diameter (mm)	Composition	Sewing method
0.53	Alumina / Rayon	Machine
0.76	Alumina / Rayon	Machine
1.00	Alumina	Hand

Please contact us for your high temperature sewing requirements.

FAQs

What is Alumina Fabric?

Alumina fabric is a high-performance industrial textile woven from alumina (aluminium oxide) fibre, a fully ceramic material. It is engineered for extreme temperature environments where glass, silica and conventional ceramic textiles cannot maintain adequate performance.

What Temperature does Alumina Fabric Withstand?

Alumina fabric temperature resistance depends on fibre purity. The most common grade, 72% Al₂O₃, is rated for continuous use up to 1250°C. Higher purity grades at 85% and 99% Al₂O₃ can withstand continuous temperatures up to 1395°C. Importantly, alumina fabric maintains mechanical strength at these temperatures, with minimal shrinkage even after prolonged exposure at maximum operating conditions.

What is Alumina Fabric Used For?

Alumina fabric is specified for the most thermally demanding applications in the industry. Common uses include furnace and kiln linings, high-temperature seals and gaskets, automotive and turbo system insulation, exhaust heat management, aerospace thermal protection and components in rocket and turbine systems. It is also used in high-temperature filtration and in applications where boron gas emissions from other fabrics are a concern.

What Does Boron-Free Mean in Alumina Fabric?

Some alumina-type fabrics and ceramic fibres contain boron compounds, which can release boron-containing gases at elevated temperatures. In sensitive industrial, aerospace and precision manufacturing environments, this can lead to contamination or interfere with critical processes.

Why is Alumina Fabric so Expensive?

Alumina fabric is significantly more expensive than glass or silica fabric due to the cost of producing alumina (aluminium oxide) ceramic fibre, which requires specialist manufacturing processes. It is only commercially viable for applications where no other fabric can reliably meet the operating requirements.