Choosing the Right Zetex® Fabric Treatment for Industrial Applications

In high-temperature industrial environments, fabric performance depends on more than the base textile alone. Surface treatments and coatings can significantly influence how a fabric performs during fabrication, installation, thermal cycling, and long-term service exposure.

Newtex Industries manufactures Zetex® fiberglass fabrics for demanding thermal management and fire protection applications across industries, including metal processing, power generation, welding, aerospace, marine, OEM manufacturing, and industrial insulation.

To support these applications, Zetex® fabrics are available with multiple treatment options engineered to improve handling, abrasion resistance, moisture resistance, fabrication efficiency, and environmental performance.

Understanding how each treatment functions helps engineers, insulation contractors, fabricators, and OEMs select the right high-temperature fabric for the application.

Why High-Temperature Fabric Treatments Are Critical in Industrial Environments

In industrial environments, untreated fiberglass fabrics may not provide the handling characteristics, durability, or environmental resistance required for fabrication and field use. Fabric treatments help optimize performance for specific operating conditions.

Common benefits of high-temperature coating treatments include:

1) Improved Weave Stability: Treatments help maintain fabric structure during cutting, sewing, fabrication, and repeated thermal cycling.

2) Reduced Edge Fraying: Stabilized fiberglass yarns reduce fraying during fabrication, improving consistency and reducing material waste.

3) Lower Smoke Generation: Removing residual binders and lubricants helps reduce smoke during initial heat exposure.

4) Enhanced Abrasion Resistance: Protective coatings help fabrics withstand repeated handling, movement, vibration, and mechanical wear.

5) Reduced Airborne Fibers: Heat-cleaning processes remove broken filaments and manufacturing residues that can contribute to airborne fiberglass particles.

6) Improved Fabrication Efficiency: Treated fabrics are generally easier to cut, sew, wrap, and install in removable insulation systems, welding protection products, and thermal barriers.

7) Oil and Water Resistance: Specialized coatings help prevent moisture absorption and liquid wicking in marine, outdoor, and industrial process environments.

8) Better Product Identification: Color treatments support visual differentiation for insulation systems, safety zones, and OEM thermal assemblies.

Types of Heat-Resistant Fabric Treatments

Newtex Industries offers a range of specialized fabric treatments and coatings to optimize performance in demanding industrial environments. Depending on the application, these coating treatments can improve fabrication efficiency, reduce airborne fibers and smoke generation, enhance abrasion resistance, and provide additional protection against moisture and industrial contaminants.

Zetex A-600 HC Fabrics
Zetex® Fabric Treatments

1. Heat Cleaned (HC): Weave binders removed for smoke-free thermal performance at onset

Heat-cleaned Zetex® fabrics are thermally processed to remove weave binders, lubricants, and broken filaments left over from the manufacturing process. The process produces a more pure fiberglass fabric with improved weave stability and reduced airborne fibers.

Because residual finishes are removed, HC fabrics generate almost no smoke or outgassing during initial exposure to elevated temperatures.

Common Applications

  • Welding blankets

  • Welding curtains

  • Furnace curtains

  • Fire barriers

  • Thermal insulation blankets

  • Removable insulation covers

Key Advantages

  • Reduced smoke generation

  • Improved weave stability

  • Reduced potential for skin and respiratory irritation during handling 

  • Cleaner handling characteristics

Zetex Fabrics
Zetex® Fabric Treatments

2. Regular Treatment (RT): Used to improve cutting & sewing; greatly enhances weave set

Regular Treatment (RT) applies a lightweight acrylic top coating to both sides of the fiberglass fabric. The treatment improves weave set, flexibility, and handling characteristics without significantly changing the base fabric structure.

RT fabrics maintain the thermal performance of woven fiberglass while improving fabrication efficiency and installation handling.

These fabrics are commonly rated for continuous operating temperatures up to 800°F (427°C), with peak exposure temperatures up to 1000°F (540°C).

Common Applications

  • Industrial insulation systems

  • Pipe wrapping

  • Welding protection

  • Heat shielding

  • Equipment protection covers

Key Advantages

  • Easier fabrication

  • Improved cuttability and sewability

  • Better fabric manageability

  • Enhanced surface stability

Zetex Oil and Water Resistant Coating
Zetex® Fabric Treatments

3. Oil & Water Resistant (OWR): Oil, water, and fluid resistance

Oil & Water Resistant (OWR) treatments apply a lightweight protective coating that helps fiberglass fabrics resist moisture absorption, oil penetration, and liquid wicking.

The treatment also improves abrasion resistance while maintaining fabric flexibility and thermal performance.

OWR-treated fabrics are commonly used in environments exposed to humidity, outdoor or marine environments, and process fluids. 

Common Applications

  • Marine insulation systems

  • Outdoor thermal protection

  • Equipment covers

  • Removable insulation blankets

  • Industrial insulation jacketing

Key Advantages

  • Moisture resistance

  • Oil resistance

  • Reduced liquid wicking

  • Improved abrasion resistance

Zetex Color Treatments
Zetex® Fabric Treatments

4. Color Treatments: Visual Identification for Safety Fabric

Zetex® fiberglass fabrics are available in multiple color treatments, including black, yellow, red, blue, green, orange, and salmon.

These treatments help simplify visual identification of insulation systems, thermal zones, safety barriers, and OEM assemblies while maintaining the underlying thermal performance of the fiberglass substrate.

Color-treated fabrics also improve handling characteristics and may help reduce fiber shedding during fabrication depending on treatment formulation. 

Common Applications

  • Safety barriers

  • Thermal insulation systems

  • OEM thermal assemblies

  • Industrial maintenance identification systems

Key Advantages

  • Easier visual identification

  • Improved handling

  • Reduced fiber shedding

  • Better fabrication efficiency

5. Rewettable Coating Treatments: Used for encapsulating and casting purposes (e.g., lead and asbestos removal) 

Rewettable Coating
Rewettable Coating Treatments

Rewettable treatments use an inorganic clay-based coating that becomes flexible when moistened during installation and dries into a hardened outer surface after curing.

This allows the fabric to conform closely to irregular equipment geometries while creating a durable, paintable outer layer once dry.

Rewettable-treated materials are typically used in applications requiring continuous operating temperatures up to 800°F (427°C), with peak exposure temperatures up to 1000°F (540°C).

Common Applications

  • Insulation lagging

  • Encapsulation systems

  • Asbestos abatement projects

  • Complex surface insulation systems

Key Advantages

  • Surface conformability

  • Hardened outer finish

  • Paintable surface

  • Improved encapsulation performance

Safe Handling Notice: As with all industrial products, always consult the applicable Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for information on safe handling practices, installation guidance, and applicable PPE requirements before use.

How to Choose the Right Zetex® Fabric Treatment

The table below provides a quick reference for matching common application requirements with the appropriate Zetex® fabric treatment.

Application Requirement

Recommended Treatment

Primary Benefit

Reduced smoke during initial heat exposure

Heat Cleaned (HC)

Removes binders and residual manufacturing finishes

Improved fabrication and handling

Regular Treatment (RT)

Improves weave stability and manageability

Resistance to moisture and oils

Oil & Water Resistant (OWR)

Helps prevent liquid penetration and wicking

Color-coded insulation or safety systems

Color Treatments

Supports visual identification

Encapsulation and irregular surfaces

Rewettable Treatments

Conforms before curing into a rigid surface

Hardened insulation outer surface

Rewettable Treatments

Creates a rigid, paintable finish

Note: Certain fabric treatments, including custom color options and specialized rewettable coatings, may be subject to minimum order quantities, production requirements, or extended lead times. Contact Newtex Industries to discuss availability and application requirements.

Custom High-Temperature Coating Solutions

Beyond standard treatments, Newtex Industries offers additional high-temperature coatings and engineered textile solutions designed for demanding thermal protection applications.

Depending on operating conditions, environmental exposure, and fabrication requirements, high-temperature fabric coatings and treatments can be combined or customized to achieve the appropriate balance of thermal performance, flexibility, abrasion resistance, moisture protection, fabrication efficiency, and long-term surface durability for the application.

These engineered solutions are commonly used in removable insulation systems, welding protection products, fire barriers, heat shields, and OEM thermal management assemblies.

Select treatment and coating options may also be available on ZetexPlus® fiberglass fabrics and aluminized fabric constructions. Contact Newtex Industries for details.

Related Articles: 

High Temperature Fire Retardant Coating and Common Applications

VVD vs. Foil vs. Transfer Coating: Understanding Aluminized Fabric Constructions

How to Extend the Life of High-Temperature Fabrics?

Conclusion

Selecting the right high-temperature fabric treatment is critical for achieving long-term performance in industrial thermal protection systems.

While base fabric selection remains important, treatments often determine how materials perform during fabrication, installation, environmental exposure, and ongoing service conditions.

From heat-cleaned fabrics designed to reduce smoke generation to Oil & Water Resistant coatings for harsh industrial environments, each Zetex® treatment addresses specific operational challenges encountered in real-world applications.

Published: July 9, 2026
Categories: Stories