Cable protection for the steel industry

Cable Protection for the Steel Industry: Protecting Cables Against Heat and Abrasion

In steelworks, foundries and rolling mills, cables and hoses are exposed to high temperatures, flying sparks and mechanical stress. Depending on the installation location, radiant heat, hot splashes or repeated abrasion can affect the cables. The appropriate protection must therefore be matched to the actual operating conditions.

Techflex offers heat protection sleeves, woven sleeves and wrap tapes for various applications in the steel industry. While reflective surfaces primarily deflect radiant heat, thick fabrics and insulating materials help reduce heat transfer. Additional products are available for protection against welding spatter and mechanical wear.

Reflective Cable Protection Against Radiant Heat

Near hot furnace surfaces or machine components, radiant heat can place stress on wiring even when the cables are not in direct contact with the hot component.

T6 ThermaShield® features a reflective aluminium coating on a fiberglass fabric. The sleeve is designed for applications involving radiant heat. Thanks to its side opening, it can be fitted around cables that have already been installed without having to remove them completely.

In addition to temperature, the distance from the heat source and the type of heat exposure are important factors when selecting a product. A reflective sleeve performs a different function from a product designed for thermal insulation.

Insulating Sleeves for High Temperatures

Where cables are exposed to heat over extended periods, heat-resistant fabrics and coatings are used. Insultherm® FI combines a fiberglass braid with a thick silicone coating. This flexible fire protection sleeve is designed for cables and hoses in areas exposed to heat, sparks or hot splashes. According to the product data, its continuous operating temperature is up to 260 °C.

Flexo® Silica Sleeve is made from silica fabric and provides another option for thermally shielding cables and components. It is suitable where both high temperature resistance and a flexible sleeve design are required. The permissible operating temperature should be checked in the product data for the specific application.

Not every heat source can be effectively covered with a sleeve. Insultherm® Header Wrap SI is a silica wrap tape for hot pipes and similar components. It is wrapped around the heat source and can therefore help reduce heat transfer to adjacent components. In this way, it complements direct cable protection.

Welding Protection for Cables and Hoses

During welding and metalworking, sparks, spatter and hot slag can damage cables. At the same time, cables in moving machinery often rub against other components.

Weld Wrap® Heavy Duty is a protective sleeve designed for such environments. According to the product description, it provides protection against welding spatter, slag, sparks and abrasion. Thanks to its hook-and-loop closure, it can also be installed around cables or hoses that have already been routed. According to the product specifications, its continuous operating temperature is up to 260 °C.

Selecting the Right Heat Protection for the Steel Industry

Radiant heat near a furnace, continuously high temperatures in an installation and flying sparks during welding all require different protection solutions. Techflex supports you in selecting a product based on installation location, temperature, abrasion exposure and installation method.

Tell us about your application at sales@techflex.de, by phone at +49 2268 9075131 or via the contact form.