Published on: 12/Nov/2020
Fire sleeve finds its extensive applications in industries and aircraft. Fire sleeve is a thick woven tube of fiberglass covered with a high-temperature iron oxide silicone rubber compound. Its insulation and dielectric properties make it suitable for fire control and abrasion resistance. In this article, we will discuss the wide applications of fire sleeves.
What Is A Fire Sleeve? How Does It Work?
A fire sleeve OR Fire Watch Services is a thick woven tube of fiberglass covered with an outer coating of high-temperature iron oxide silicone rubber. It is commonly used in hoses, cables, and wires to make them heat resistant. The fire sleeve works by reflecting the heat instead of absorbing it. In this way, it blocks the heat by dissipating it through the fabric. A fire sleeve is used mostly in hoses, wires, and cables to make them heat resistant.
The common applications of a fire sleeve include:
Aircraft Applications
A fire sleeve or Fire Watch Guards finds its extensive applications in aircraft. The aviation fire sleeve is thicker and has dense inner glass fiberglass as compared to the industrial fire sleeve. In addition, it is more resistant, has increased strength and high insulation that makes it a perfect fit to use in aviation. It can withstand continuous high temperatures owing to these properties.
The high temperatures that a fire sleeve can tolerate range from 500° F to up to 2000° F. In some cases it’s up to 3000°F. It can tolerate these high temperatures for straight 15to 20 minutes. A fire sleeve is installed in such a way in aircraft to provide safe land to pilots before a damaged hose can lead to an unfortunate incident. In addition, a fire sleeve is commonly used in tight engine compartments where the chance of hose catching fire from the exhaust system is threefold. However, the use of fire sleeves in aviation depends on the environment and type of aircraft used.
Oil Line Protection
Most commercial aircraft cannot function without oil. The absence of heat insulation material in aircraft oil lines can lead to the ignition of the fire. This fire in the presence of oil can be dangerous as an explosion can take place. The use of heat-insulating materials such as fire sleeves can prevent any unfortunate event from taking place.
Industrial Applications
A fire sleeve is a heat-insulating material that can withstand abrasions and molten splashes. Owing to these properties it is used in industries like steel plants, metallurgical applications, and electric arc furnace applications. For instance, EAF cables are most suitable for electric arc furnace minimills. They are suitable because of their special features and custom installation.
Pyrojacket is another industrial fire sleeve. It is made up of high bulk of glass fiber that makes it tolerate high temperatures, molten steel, molten aluminum, and molten glass. The temperature is nearly 3000°F. The ability of the pro jacket to tolerate such high levels makes it worth more.
Prevents Temperature Cycling
A fire sleeve is used to prevent failure of cycling temperature in hose assembly. It increases durability and reduces the chance of fuel and oil system contamination. On the other hand, the absence of a fire sleeve makes hose assembly less durable. This can lead to the breakage of the hose rubber. As a result, there will be contamination of the oil and fuel system with flakes of broken rubber of the hose. In other words, a fire sleeve gives resistance and increases the durability of the hose by continuously exposing it to withstand the high temperature of the engine.