RATH presents ALTRA® 1500C for lightweight refractory lining: The newly developed, non-classified polycrystalline high-temperature insulation wool has already been successfully used by several RATH customers.

Vienna, February 24, 2025

For more than three decades, RATH has been a leading manufacturer of high-temperature insulation products such as wool, blankets, modules and vacuum-formed parts. In use, temperatures of up to 1650 °C can be insulated.

ALTRA® 1500C: maximum service life, easy handling and installation

The all-rounder of the well-known and proven ALTRA® series is the new, non-classified polycrystalline high-temperature wool ALTRA® 1500C, which offers numerous advantages in addition to maximum cost-effectiveness: maximum service life and highly efficient thermal insulation (up to 1400 °C) to save costs. The lightweight and strong ALTRA® 1500C also stands for easy handling and installation; for example, the blankets are highly flexible for folding serpentine modules. Another advantage is the optimal compatibility: ALTRA® 1500C fits with the entire ALTRA® series family, a coordinated range of grades that provides efficient solutions for specific requirements.

“ALTRA® 1500C is an innovative development from the RATH research department and opens up new perspectives and opportunities for our customers, especially when it comes to saving energy and costs. Due to the targeted combination of physical properties, high-temperature wool is particularly energy-efficient and, in combination with common refractory materials such as bricks and concretes, is the ideal complement for a complete refractory lining,” says Christopher Kluthe, Senior R&D Manager, RATH.

ALTRA® 1500C is suitable for numerous industries, from ceramics and petrochemicals to steel and metal, and particularly for applications with rapidly alternating heating and cooling cycles. To meet customer-specific requirements, ALTRA® 1500C is available in a range of densities and dimensions.Furthermore, the blankets can be individually processed into modules to customer requirements in terms of dimensions and density.

ALTRA® 1500C: all the advantages of polycrystalline fibers and more economical in terms of investment costs

The use of non-classified high temperature insulation wools (HTIW) is becoming increasingly important. While fibers with low biopersistence serve as non-classified alternatives in some processes, they are limited in their thermal and chemical resistance. “Polycrystalline fibers are also non-classified due to their unique microstructure and high fiber diameter, but their performance often far exceeds the requirements of the processes, while the investment costs are higher compared to other HTIWs. ALTRA® 1500C has been specifically tailored to offer all the advantages of polycrystalline fibers while being more economical in terms of investment costs”, adds Christopher Kluthe.

Successful application in metal and steel companies in Austria and Germany

In the steel and metal industry, the new polycrystalline high-temperature insulation wool ALTRA® 1500C, which is available as a module and blanket, has already been successfully used by several German and Austrian companies: for example, as linings in the roof, wall and door areas of bogie hearth forging furnaces, chamber forging furnaces, rolling mill furnaces, walking beam furnaces and rotary hearth furnaces. "The results were excellent, the product met all our expectations," summarizes Christopher Kluthe.

Different grades for specific requirements

The ALTRA® series consists of the ALTRA® 1500C and other proved grades that have been on the market for many years and offer solutions for a wide range of requirements, including chemical resistance and maximum temperatures (1650 °C):

• ALTRA® 72: This is the right solution for applications at exceptionally high temperatures.
• ALTRA® 97: This type is ideal for applications requiring high chemical resistance.

“The entire ALTRA® series – in the form of blankets and modules – has one thing in common: It guarantees high quality and reliability as well as simple and damage-free installation,” concludes Christopher Kluthe.

ALTRA® 1500C: key figures at a glance

• Composition: Mullite (polycrystalline) & amorphous silica
• Classification temperature: 1500°C
• Continuous application: 1400°C
• Average fiber diameter: 3 - 5 μm
• Fiber density: 3,3g/ cm3
• Densities (EN 1094): 60 - 120 kg/m3
• Thickness (EN 1094): 13, 25 mm
• Standard dimensions: 7200x620x13(25) mm
• Color: white

More information: www.rath-group.com/altra 

Contact:

Anja Rauter
Global Manager Marketing Communications
T +43 1 513 44 27 - 21 76
E anja.rauter@rath-group.com

Thomas Binder-Krieglstein
Head of Group Marketing
T +43 1 513 44 27 - 21 74
E thomas.binder-krieglstein@rath-group.com