Hard Coat™ Insulation

Firwin HC is a permanent insulation, so the first consideration is whether the part in question needs to be accessible for maintenance purposes. If maintenance access is required, a removable insulation blanket would be a better alternative.

Hard Coat™ performs well in confined spaces and completely covers the insulation material. If there are space constraints or if the application involves the possibility of oil coming into contact with the part, Firwin HC may be appropriate. For a detailed comparison, see our resource on Hard Coat™ vs. removable insulation.

Because of the wide variation of demands during use and operation of equipment onto which Hard Coat™ insulation is installed, it is difficult to say precisely how long Firwin HC will last. That said, we designed Firwin HC to offer a durable and long-lasting insulating Hard Coat™ing, and feedback from the field has been generally positive.

Due to the nature of the materials used in manufacturing Firwin HC, some loosening may occur over time during engine use as a result of the expansion and contraction of the engine part as it heats and cools.

Firwin HC is designed for personnel safety and fire protection of expensive engines and equipment. This is accomplished by insulating exposed high-heat components such as engine manifolds and turbos. There is yet no concrete evidence to confirm whether Firwin HC will reduce the life of an engine part. Although the possibility exists, our customers are willing to assume this risk as it is outweighed by the safety benefits.

Hard Coat™ insulation should not be covered or shielded with other insulation or shielding products (i.e., insulation blankets, heat shields, etc.). Any product that retains heat or reflects heat onto Firwin HC can raise the temperature of the outer shell beyond its designed level, thereby causing the outer HC shell to deteriorate.

Firwin HC is available in both 1/2 in. and 1 in. insulation thicknesses. Most applications use 1/2 in. thick insulation because of the limited space available around the parts to be insulated.

Firwin HC can be used for both high-temperature diesel and gas applications. The insulation material used in Firwin HC is rated at 2,192 °F (1,200 °C). In practice, most applications that use Firwin HC rarely see temperatures above 1,200 °F (650°C), allowing for effective heat reduction from Firwin HC at 1/2 in. insulation thickness.

Firwin HC has a typical lead time of 2 weeks.

When sending parts:

• Send the bolt sleeves/spacers as well.
• Disassemble the turbo. We request that customers send turbos with hot housing only (the air intake side needs to be removed for the HC process). Include clamps if possible.
• Send plenty of photos of the complete exhaust arrangement. Take detailed pictures anywhere clearance is an issue (within 1 in. of the part).

When sending engine parts to Firwin to be coated with Firwin HC, there are certain customs requirements that need to be followed to ensure that there are no delays in getting the parts across the border. A customs invoice and, if shipping from the U.S. or Mexico, a NAFTA certificate need to be prepared and accompany the parts.

Firwin Corp warrants its products to be free of defects in material and workmanship at the time of delivery. Our warranty is limited to the replacement of the insulation product found to be defective within ninety (90) days from the date of delivery. This warranty is only valid provided the product is used within the design and material limitations for the specific operating conditions, as agreed at the time the order is placed, and is subject to correct installation, regular scheduled inspection, and normal wear and tear.

Visit our Warranty page for more information.