Insulation materials- not asbestos

[jgb7573]

I'm building a vertical boiler to a design by Tubal Cain in his book on building the Williamson engine. It's a pot boiler with a central flue, which sits on top of a rolled copper firebox. He specifies a spirit burner for the boiler, though I may use LPG. In his write-up, Tubal Cain suggests the use of asbestos sheet (handled wet) to line the firebox with and so protect the paint. Given that asbestos sheet is off the list these days, what would be a suitable material to use in its place?

Cheers,

John

[catgate]

Iwould suggest the use of politicians hide. It is very thick and virtually fireproof. The more time one has spent with his nose in the trough the more "non-stick" will it be also.

[robin]

I had some plumbing done recently and the plumber had a heatproof cloth sheet he used behind the pipes to protect the paintwork from his gas torch. Try looking in a plumber's merchant. They're probably made of Nomex or something.

[denis M]

Try some lagging called Kao Wool I think from Blackgates or Reeves, very thin and good. Or on my Winson Baldwin the lagging is cork sheet of some description.

[Tel]

errm... I got the impression that it was wanted to line the inside of the firebox. Either a commercial refractory mix or a home made mixture of fireclay, portland cement & pearlite would probably work - mix it to a stiffish past & apply it inside with a plasterer's small tool. Let it dry right out before firing.