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Finally tried that new ceramic fiber blanket on a 3-pass Scotch marine boiler and it cut my refractory dry time from 72 hours to under 48.
I was sure it was just marketing hype until I saw the moisture readings myself, so has anyone else found a material that actually lives up to the claims?
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the_wyatt7mo ago
Yeah, the moisture readings don't lie. I had the same shock with a new castable mix last fall. The spec sheet said it set fast, but watching it go from wet to ready in one day for a firebox patch was wild. It felt like cheating after using the old stuff for years. What temp did you bring that boiler up to for the first firing?
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the_drew7mo ago
My first firing with that fast stuff was a nervous 200 degrees for like, four hours. I was so sure it would crack I barely left the boiler room. @the_wyatt, you calling it cheating is spot on because I definitely felt like I didn't earn it. The old refractory would have needed a whole week of baby steps. This new mix just sat there like it was no big deal. It kind of messed with my head after twenty years of treating every patch job like a fragile egg.
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the_alice7mo ago
Wait, you fired it the same day you patched it? That's insane. I would have been too scared it would explode or something. Even with the fast set stuff, I always give it at least an overnight cure before I even think about heat. You guys are braver than me, treating it like it's just another Tuesday.
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jamie9406mo ago
Trust the data sheet. Pushed a new castable to 450 degrees after a six hour cure last month. The probe showed it was bone dry inside. Still held my breath the whole time.
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