The two materials are aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibres and zirconia aluminosilicate refractory ceramic fibres.
Aluminosilicate Refractory Ceramic Fibres are fibres covered by index number 650-017-00-8 in Annex VI, part 3, table 3.2 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. They are Carcinogen, category 2. They fulfil the two following conditions:
- Al2O3 and SiO2 are present within the following concentration ranges:Al2O3: 43.5 – 47 % w/w, and SiO2: 49.5 – 53.5 % w/w, or Al2O3: 45.5 – 50.5 % w/w, and SiO2: 48.5 – 54 % w/w,
- the fibres have a length weighted geometric mean diameter less two standard geometric errors of 6 or less micrometers (μm).
Zirconia Aluminosilicate Refractory Ceramic Fibres are fibres covered by index number 650-017-00-8 in Annex VI, part 3, table 3.2 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. They are also Carcinogen, category 2.
They fulfil the two following conditions:
- Al2O3, SiO2 and ZrO2 are present within the following concentration ranges: Al2O3: 35 – 36 % w/w, and SiO2: 47.5 – 50 % w/w, and ZrO2: 15 - 17 % w/w,
- fibres have a length weighted geometric mean diameter less two standard geometric errors of 6 or less micrometers (μm).
Both refractory ceramic fibres are used for high-temperature insulation, almost exclusively in industrial applications (insulation of industrial furnaces and equipment, equipment for the automotive and aircraft/aerospace industry) and in fire protection (buildings and industrial process equipment).
The Member State Committee agreed unanimously that the new substances should be added to the list. Decisions on the need to subject these substances to authorisation will be taken later.