Glossary

AES:
AES fibres are Alkaline Earth Silicate fibres. These are man made vitreous fibre composed predominantly of calcium, magnesium and silicon oxides in various proportions. Most AES fibres available on the market are exonerated from the EU carcinogen classification on the basis of their low bio-persistence.

Organic Binder:
Organic binders such as starch or polymer latex are added to fibres when making boards, vacuum formed shapes, paper or felt. The organic binder adds strength in the green state, which is valuable for handling, cutting or application. At high temperature the organic binder is burnt out and is no longer present in the fired product.

C.A.S. number:
Registry number given to a substance by the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS).

CARE:
CARE is an occupational hygiene programme which has been developed by ECFIA. CARE stands for Controlled and Reduced Exposure.

Classification Temperature:
The classification temperature is determined by following the test procedure in one of the accepted norms, such as EN1094-1. It corresponds to the temperature for which the product has a permanent linear shrinkage not exceeding a given value (depending on the product): 2% for boards and vacuum formed products 4% for blankets, felts, mats, and papers.

Crystalline silica:
Crystalline silica is found in industrial applications mostly as quartz. Crystalline silica is known to produce silicosis and has been classified as a human carcinogen by the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

ECFIA:
ECFIA is the European association representing the high temperature insulation wool industry.

Fibre concentration:
The concentration of airborne fibres capable of reaching the deep lung region, i.e. respirable. Usually such fibres are defined using the WHO definition: A fibre is a particle which is longer than 5 µm, thinner than 3 µm and having a aspect ratio length to diameter of greater than 3.

Low Bio-persistence:
Superwool® fibres are referred to as having low bio-persistence as they are designed to be cleared from the lungs very quickly if they are inhaled. Clearance occurs through the body's natural defence mechanisms and is described in more detail in Fact Sheet 6.

Man made vitreous fibres (MMVF):
Man made vitreous fibres are amorphous silicate fibres manufactured from liquid melts at 1000°C - 1700°C by drawing (continuous filaments), spinning or blowing. Both RCF and Superwool fibres are examples of MMVF.

Maximum Continuous Use Temperature:
This term is used by Thermal Ceramics to advise on the temperature at which its products can be expected to work for extended periods of time without adverse effects. In some applications, where a short or one shot exposure is expected, this application temperature may be exceeded. It is always advisable to seek applications advice from Thermal Ceramics in such a case.

Refractory Ceramic Fibres (RCF):
The term RCF is used to mean an MMVF whose chemical constituents are predominantly Alumina and Silica. Such MMVF's are classified in the EU as category 2 carcinogens.

Respirable dust:
The fraction of airborne dust that can penetrate to the deep lung regions.

Spinning method:
This process is used for the production of fibres from a melt directed onto high speed rotating wheels.

Synthetic lung fluid:
A standardised aqueous solution prepared from different chemical elements designed to simulate natural lung fluids. Such a fluid is normally used for testing the bio-solubility of fibres.

Thermal Conductivity:
This is the ability of a material to transmit heat. The lower the thermal conductivity the better the product is at resisting the flow of heat through it. The thickness of a furnace lining necessary to give a known cold face temperature can be calculated using the thermal conductivity. It is normally independent of size or shape of the tested material. Thermal conductivity is measured in Watts per meter per degree Kelvin (W/mK).