INDUSTRY FIRSTS:

From its beginning, Thermal Ceramics has been an industry innovator and the preferred provider of custom-engineered, high-temperature, insulating refractory solutions.

80® FIREBRICK During World War I, Thermal Ceramics engineers found that the existing refractory firebrick limited their designs, so it was suggested that the company make its own. After an exhaustive search for the best raw materials, our engineers selected pure kaolin clay from Hephzibah, Georgia. Within five years, 80 Firebrick was developed. The name "80" was selected because the firebrick was produced from the 80th different formula attempted.	KAOWOOL® CERAMIC FIBER In the mid-40's while researchers were attempting to develop a fused cast kaolin product, they noticed that the air blowing through the taphole would "fiberize" the molten metal. After further research, they discovered that this "fiber" was capable of withstanding 2000°F temperatures versus the 1000°F temperature-limit of mineral wool. A patent application was filed and the "fiber" became the trademarked Kaowool ceramic fiber. In 1964, the first complete Kaowool blanket lined furnace was installed and, in 1967, Thermal Ceramics became the first company to use fiber as a furnace lining.
K® LIGHTWEIGHT INSULATING FIREBRICK (IFB) In the 1920's, the Navy requested a light- weight refractory brick that could help lighten the loads on warships. Thermal Ceramics mixed raw kaolin and wood flour (ground from pine shavings), prepared grogs, and developed a new lightweight insulating firebrick that is still in use today.	PYRO-BLOC® MONOLITHIC MODULES/EESTM In 1984, we acquired the Pyro-Bloc Division of Sauder Industries in Emporia, Kansas. This gave us the capability to produce a variety of monolithic, weld-on type modules and our own Electrical Element System (EES) for use with ceramic fiber lining.
KAOCAST® CASTABLES After World War II, we developed and introduced the first of the 3000°F, non-exploding type castables. Kaocast was unique due to its calcium aluminate binder.	SUPERWOOL® SOLUBLE FIBERS Superwool bulk/blanket fibers were developed in response to a variety of industrial needs, primarily as an alternative to traditional, non-soluble fibers. Prior to the development of Superwool, typical insulation had non-wetting agents added onto the fiber, rather than built into the fiber itself.