Refractory Insulation
What we supply
Every BTU that escapes is a BTU you paid for.
High-performance refractory insulation reduces shell temperatures, cuts fuel costs, and protects structural steel. Whether backup behind a dense brick hot face or sole lining in a lower-temperature zone, the right insulation product pays for itself quickly.
Insulating Firebrick (IFB)
K-20 through K-30 ratings (2,000–3,000°F). Lightweight, easy to cut, and excellent insulating value. The most common backup insulation for industrial furnaces and kilns.
Calcium Silicate Board & Block
Rigid, machinable board for furnaces, boilers, and pipe insulation. Excellent compressive strength. Service to 1,800°F. Resists thermal shock and cuts cleanly on-site.
Microporous Insulation
Ultra-low-K panels achieve 4–5× the insulation value of IFB at the same thickness. Critical for compact furnaces or retrofit situations with limited wall depth.
Perlite & Vermiculite Fill
Loose-fill for annular spaces, backing zones, and irregular cavities. Perlite to 1,500°F; vermiculite for higher stability. Low cost, easy installation.
Castable Insulating Concrete
Lightweight castable for backup zones and insulating fills. Pour or gun into irregular shapes. Densities 35–75 PCF, service temps to 2,800°F.
Insulating Plastic & Ram Mix
Hand-rammable insulating refractory for patches and irregular sections where casting is impractical. Bonds directly to existing linings.
Insulation upgrades often pay within one operating year
Reducing furnace shell temperature from 600°F to 250°F translates directly to measurable annual fuel savings for any continuously operating furnace. Red Stick Industrial Supply can help estimate the ROI for your specific installation and recommend the right product combination.
Product specifications
| Product Type | Max Service Temp | Density (PCF) | Thermal Conductivity | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFB K-20 | 2,000°F | 18–20 | Low | Backup insulation, low-temp furnaces |
| IFB K-23 | 2,300°F | 22–26 | Low–Mod | Kiln backup, boiler insulation |
| IFB K-26 | 2,600°F | 26–30 | Moderate | Industrial furnace backup |
| IFB K-30 | 3,000°F | 30–34 | Moderate | High-temp furnace backup |
| Calcium Silicate | 1,800°F | 14–18 | Very Low | Pipe, boiler, shell insulation |
| Microporous Panel | 1,832°F | 12–18 | Ultra-Low | Space-constrained, high-value applications |
| Perlite Fill | 1,500°F | 6–8 | Very Low | Annular fill, loose backup |
Wall system design
An effective wall pairs a hot-face working lining with backup insulation sized to keep steel shell temperature below design limits — typically 250–400°F for carbon steel.
- Calculate expected shell temps before specifying backup thickness
- Thicker backup is not always the answer — match to actual heat flux
- Consider microporous for retrofit where wall depth cannot grow
- Multi-layer systems can pair IFB with calcium silicate for best value
Energy cost impact
Insulation payback is calculable. Shell heat loss is measurable; fuel cost is known. The math is usually favorable within 12 months of an upgrade.
- Collect baseline shell temperature data before upgrading
- Post-upgrade thermal scan confirms performance improvement
- Document fuel savings to justify future capital requests
- Insulation condition should be assessed at every major outage
Ready to move forward?
Refractory Insulation — sourced, specified, delivered.
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