Why Hot Work Needs A Barrier
Welding produces intense ultraviolet and infrared radiation, sparks, molten droplets and fumes. Personal protective equipment covers the welder; a welding blanket covers everything around the weld that would be damaged by spatter and slag.
Materials And Ratings
Welding blankets are made from fire-resistant materials including fibreglass, silica, carbon fibre and leather, with temperature ratings from roughly 1000 to 1800 degrees F depending on the material. Leather blankets are chosen for heavy spatter and slag because they take abrasion and do not shed fibres.
See the MS-6*6 Leather Welding Blanket
Where Blankets Are Used
Cutting operations, factory maintenance, automotive repair, oil and gas infrastructure and construction sites all use blankets to isolate hot work from the surroundings. In fabrication they are also used to protect finished assemblies while further welding is carried out nearby.
Rigging And Fixing
A blanket that can only be laid flat has half the uses. Metal eyelets let it be secured to curtain frames or scaffolding so it can be rigged as a vertical screen, which is how most hot work permits require the area to be isolated.
Maintenance
Brush the blanket after use, store it in a clean dry area away from direct sunlight, and roll it rather than folding it so the material does not crease and crack. A well-maintained blanket lasts years of intermittent use.
Choosing A Manufacturer
Look for international certifications, a product range wide enough that the supplier understands the application, export experience, customer support and whether they actually manufacture. Third-party audits and factory tours are reasonable requests before a first order.
Questions Worth Asking
Ask about certifications, production capacity, customisation capability, quality control procedure, export experience and after-sales policy. On welding blankets specifically, ask whether custom sizes and colours are available, because standard sizes rarely match the machine or opening that needs covering.
