Insulating mats

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I'm having a real job finding a source of fireproof heat insulating mats. I'm wanting something about 5-6mm thick I can cut to fit under the bed of the 3D printer or wrap around my extruder's hot end.

I want to reduce the wasted heat in this hot weather!

A rigid plate (such as skamolex) isn't really suitable.

Neil

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Plumbers merchants will have 300×300 soldering mats

CUP also do a sheet wool product that can be used as insulation when silver soildering

KAOwool is sold by several ME suppliers to insulate boilers, comes in 1mm or 1/4" sheets which can be doubled up. product details. This is easy to cut and unlike the plumbers mats does not fray at the edges it is more like low density a felt

Edited By JasonB on 06/07/2017 15:07:43

Edited By JasonB on 06/07/2017 15:13:47

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

have you looked at plumbers' soldering heat mats?

**LINK**

(Other retailers are available &nbsp

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Snap, Jason posted whilst I was finding a linked example

[Simon Williams 3Participant @simonwilliams3]

Fibre glass mat sold as a plumber's heat insulating mat foe soldering in awkward spaces?

I've got one about 6 ins by 8 ins, comes with a sewn border to stop it unravelling. I bought from my local builders merchant

(edit – several people type faster 'n me!)

Edited By Simon Williams 3 on 06/07/2017 15:07:57

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

How about some fibre blanket like wot potters use?

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Thanks all, a plumber's mat was in mind as a last resort. The 'ceramic fibre blanket'/kaowool is exactly what I was trying to find.

I should have searched for 'blanket' not 'sheet'!

I've ordered a 'blanket' of half-inch will will fit neatly between the bed and its aluminium carrier, which is about a 12mm gap.

Neil

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

**LINK**

Bit crispy, but is flame proof & can be cut to size.

I've melted glass soldering mats when plumbing – in an emergency I had to deal with a CH system & couldn't completely close the stop-cock. Ended up using high power on the torch to boil off the dripping water as it came through & in doing so melted the glass mat, nearly setting the skirting alight.

Regards,

Richard

[ZebethyalParticipant @zebethyal]

I use a themally reflective sheet under my heated bed, as suggested on the Richrap blog

About £1.00 for 3 x 35 x 20cm sheets

Edited By Zebethyal on 06/07/2017 16:03:43

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Zebethyal on 06/07/2017 15:59:45:

I use a themally reflective sheet under my heated bed, as suggested on the Richrap blog

Please don't, the next thing we know Neil will be trying to print a Full English

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

You don't need high temperature resistance so fireproof blankets are a bit OTT. I use a couple of layers of aluminised bubblewrap that came free as packing for something. It has good insulating and reflecting properties and doesn't melt.

I also add a sheet of it on the top of the bed while it's heating up. It roughly halves the heat up time.

Russell.

[Simon Williams 3Participant @simonwilliams3]

Aluminised mylar blanket as used against hypo-thermia by the emergency services?

[mark costello 1Participant @markcostello1]

British equivalent of Harbor freight has welding blankets, leaving extra for other uses.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I don't want to risk something flammable, plus I can wrap it round the hot end.

Neil

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Well the aluminium silicate blanket works a treat

Good news – the bed heats up much faster

Bad news, it cools down slower

Getting bored, had better unclip the glass build plate!

[ShugsParticipant @shugs]

Could this be what you may be looking for,

**LINK**

Shugs

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Last time I was at the supermarket the kitchenware department had some heatproof silicone oven mats about that size. No idea what they are used for in the kitchen but I thought at the time they might be a handy workshop item.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Shugs on 11/07/2017 21:20:08:

Could this be what you may be looking for,

**LINK**

Shugs

For the nozzle, yes, but now I can make my own by cutting down the blanket and wrapping in kapton tape.

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