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For those of us who are looking for safety protection against weld sparks and spatters, choosing the right welding blanket is not an easy task.
A good fireproof welding blanket promises to protect equipment, property, and the welder while welding.
As you certainly know, this means that weld sparks and spatter will hit the fireproof blanket and will not burn a hole in your equipment. Moreover, welding blankets also provide protection against grinding sparks.
But what exactly are the technical differences between the welding blankets you can buy?
Welding blanket materials
First of all, welding blankets are made of flame-retardant and heat resistant fibers or leather. They vary in temperature resistant classes. Overall, temperature resistance can range up to 1800°F (982°C). You can even weld on top of some blankets.
Typical materials for fireproof blankets are leather, fiberglass and carbon fibers (PAN).
In general, fiberglass works just fine but can sometimes shed. I recommend you to wear gloves when handling fiberglass blankets because they can get really itchy.
In the past, fireproof blankets were made from hazardous asbestos fibers. Nowadays, the safest welding blankets are those made from silica cloth (fiberglass), which tend to release less amount of toxic fumes over time. [Source: abestos.net]
Top 7 welding blankets
Steiner Velvet Shield Carbonized Fiber Blanket (316 Series) ?
The Steiner Velvet Shield 316 is a lightweight, soft and flexible welding blanket that provides high heat.
There is a very impressive video I found on the web, demonstrating the extreme capabilities of the Steiner Velvet Shield carbonized fiber blanket.
Fact sheet:
- Application: Heavy duty welding, protects against sparks and spatter, light slag
- Material: carbonized fiber
- Temperature resistance: 1800°F
- Size: 18″x18″
- Weight: ~ 16 oz/sq.yd
- Thickness: 0.15″ – .0.20″
- Color: black
The shown product right here has quite a small size, but it is available also in different sizes.
Steiner 316-18X18 Velvet Shield 16-Ounce Black Carbonized Fiber Welding Blanket, 18" x 18"
- Occupational Health & Safety
- Country of Manifacturer: United States
- Manufacturer: Steiner
- Temperature rating: 1800oF
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Felt High Temp welding blanket
This Felt high-temperature welding blanket is made out of precursor carbon fibers (PAN). The carbon fibers provides a temperature resistance of up to 1800°F. This welding blanket works well to cover your work environment or fragile pieces. You can use it for welding, brazing or soldering.
The blanket is not electrically conductive but lightweight, soft and flexible.
According to the manufacturer, this fire-proof blanket for sale is scratch-free and tear-resistant. On the downside, I’d like to mention that the blanket is not designed to withstand long contact with hot objects but ideal to shield objects.
Fact sheet:
- Application: Medium welding, sparks and spatter
- Material: Precursor carbon fiber (PAN)
- Temperature resistance: 1800°F
- Size: 6’x4′
- Weight: 16 oz/sq.yd.
- Thickness: 1/8″
- Color: Black
High Temp Felt Welding Blanket: 6' X 4', Black
- Measure: 6 ft x 4 ft, 16 oz/sq. Yd
- Felt made of tear resistant Carbon Fiber called PAN
- Temperature resistance of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit (982 deg. Celsius)
- The blanket will not ignite, char or shrink
- Pliable and soft material that is scratch free
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Tillman 596B fiberglass welding blanket
Tillman 596B is an FM approved welding curtain that can withstand temperatures up to 1200°F on a flat surfaces and 1700°F on a vertical plane. It is designed for heavy duty welders with heavy sparks and spatters.
Fact sheet:
- Application: Heavy duty welding, sparks and spatter, slag
- Material: fiberglass (vermiculite impregnated)
- Temperature resistance: 1200°F on flat surface, 1700°F on vertical plane
- Size: 6’x6′
- Weight: –
- Thickness: 0.06″
- Color: Black
Tillman Heavy Duty Welding Blanket 6' x 6'
- 25 oz. black, vermiculite impregnated fiberglass welding blanket
- Protects from Heavy duty sparks, spatter, slag, 1200°F melt temperature flat surfaces, 1700°F vertical plane
- FM APPROVED WELDING CURTAIN
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Waylander VE21 Premium welding blanket
The Waylander Premium welding blanket is 100% flame-retardant.
Thus it withstands temperatures up to 1400°F. Moreover, 12 sturdy grommets are attached to this blanket which makes it easy for you to hang the welding sheet.
Fact sheet:
- Application: Heavy duty welding, sparks and spatter, light slag
- Material: fiberglass (vermiculite impregnated/asbestos free!)
- Temperature resistance: 1400°F
- Size: 6’x6′
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Thickness: 0.03″
- Color: light brown
Waylander Premium Welding Blanket 6' x 6' 1400°F Heavy Duty Vermiculite Impregnated Fiberglass with Brass Grommets
- FIREPROOF WELDING TABLE COVER: When you need a fire blanket to protect surfaces from flying sparks and welding spatter, turn to Waylander. Our fiberglass blanket is a powerful welding shield, so use it to protect wood and other flammable materials.
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Neiko heavy duty fiberglass blanket with brass grommets
The Neiko heavy duty blanket is a 100% flame-retardant fiberglass welding blanket. It provides a working temperature up to 1000°F.
Pre-installed brass grommets provide easy installation and hanging.
Fact sheet:
- Application: Light duty welding, light sparks and spatter
- Material: fiberglass
- Temperature resistance: 1000°F
- Size: 4’x6′
- Weight: 19.8 oz/sq.yd.
- Thickness: –
- Color: White
Neiko 10908A Heavy Duty Fiberglass Welding Blanket and Cover with Brass Grommets Size 4 FT. x 6 FT.
- 100% FLAME RETARDANT WELDING BLANKETS: This fireproof blanket is extremely durable and used for general purpose welding to prevent property damages from sparks and flames.
- HEAVY-DUTY FIBERGLASS MATERIAL: The fire blanket retardant fiberglass is 19.8 ounce per square yard that provides excellent thermal fire-resistant protection.
Free shipping
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Hobart heat-treated fiberglass blanket
This temperature resistant Hobart blanket is extra soft and withstands temperatures up to 1000°F. As a plus, several brass grommets are already attached to the blanket so that you can easily hang it. Additionally, a storage bag is included.
I read some reports where people mention it is not recommended to directly weld on top of this blanket, because the molten metal can burn a hole in it. Some people tell they use this type of blanket to wrap their grill or smoker in winter.
Fact sheet:
- Application: Light duty welding, light sparks and spatter
- Material: Fiberglass
- Temperature resistance: 1000°F
- Size: 4’x6′
- Weight: 18 oz
- Thickness: –
- Color: White
Hobart 770635 Heat-Treated Fiberglass Welding Blanket, 4-Foot by 6-Foot
- Country of Origin:China
- Package length:14.0"
- Package width:11.0"
- Package height:1.5"
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Steiner cowhide leather
Steiner’s natural cowhide leather protects anything from weld spark and spatters. The soft leather is especially useful for auto body use because it does not scratch. Because this is a natural product and does not consist of fibers, you can cut it in size as you wish. No fibers are messing around here.
Fact sheet:
- Application: Light to medium duty welding, protects against sparks and spatter. Ideal for auto body use!
- Material: natural leather
- Temperature resistance: –
- Size: 3’x4′
- Weight: ~ 3.5 oz/sq.yd
- Thickness: 0.06″ – .0.08″
- Color: brown
Steiner 321-3X4 Side Split Cowhide Leather Welding Blanket, 3' x 4'
- Premium side split rust leather
- Protects against sparks and spatter
- Excellent for auto body use
- Weight: 3.0 - 3.5 oz/yd2
- Thickness: .060" - .080"
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Of course, a welding blanket can only be an addition to your safety clothing like your leather welding jackets.
Insulate your BBQ Smoker with welding blankets
I even heard of people using their fire blankets to insulate BBQ smokers, to avoid temperature drop when it is cold outside.
For smoker shielding, some people prefer blankets without fiberglass, to avoid small particles of fiberglass falling into the meat.
Welding blanket sizes
Of course, welding blankets differ a lot in size. Besides the typical sizes which are 3′ x 3′, 6′ x 6′, 8′ x 8 ‘, 10′ x 10′ and 6′ x 4’. You can cut some materials in size, while others not.
In general you can say, the larger the blanket is, the more weight it will have.
Attachment of welding blankets
Some welding blankets have brass grommets which makes it easier to attach them. But you can also use magnets or grips to attach your blankets securely to your environment. Some people also use special-sized frames to attach their welding blankets to get a welding curtain.
Conclusion
As I mentioned in the beginning, there are quite a lot of welding blankets to choose from. And a good fireproof welding blanket should protect your equipment, tools and yourself while welding.
In my opinion, the Steiner Velvet Shield does an excellent job here. I bet you will agree when you have watched the video above. It does not get damaged from molten metal and protects everything underneath. Even though the Steiner Velvet Shield is a bit more expensive, it will be cheaper in the long run because of longevity.
As an alternative to welding blankets you could also take a look at welding curtains and screens.
Image Credits: https://pixabay.com/photo-1838986/
