Update: This is a cool product from Unifrax

These ceramic boards would be a terrific alternative to OSB or Gypsum. Put that on a SIP and WOW!Apparently they have high R-Value of 1.1 per 0.5 in. These boards were developed to be placed behind oven or kilns so as not to damage materials behind it. Isn't that cool?! The R-Value of that is more than cementboard or Gypsum and probably available to people who operate pottery establishments.

Relative Comparison "R" Values of Substrate Materials per Inch

Ceramic Board 2.2

Gypsum 0.90

Cementious Board 0.40

GFRC 0.048 (As you can see.. a very very poor insulator)

Any discussion on this?

aziansenzation:

At what temperature is the 1.1 R- value

What is the weight per sq. ft.

Does it have structural capabilities?

What lengths do they come in?

What does one cut it with?

Can it be nailed or screwed?

Go to www.unifrax.com for more information on their tech and MSDS sheets...

It's their Fibrefrax Duraboard line of products. Being that it's a refractory, it's thermally stable up and above 2600F in certain line. It doesn't say if it's structural but being a rigid product it might be. There are various densities available. They do have castable products and various blanket type insulations. I'm assuming that these ceramics are easily cutable with a diamond blade circular saw. Since it's mounted on walls, screws are always better. Try fibreglass screws ;)

There are other companies with similar ceramic board products. It's just one that I found without all the hype and with tried and true customer base.

There's also a ceramic curtain wall from China from another company...

I'm not really sure why you are so excited? Since most SIPS have less than an inch of 'skin' you would only be gaining around R-1. And at what price?

aziansenzation;

Easily and cuttable with a diamond blade is an oxy-moron

I'll stick with what I know works

Diamond 8.5 inch circular saw blades are only $5/here i've cut 2in. granite (w/o water) and it's much harder than ceramic.

Changing people's minds about what works and whats coming is the whole idea of "newer" technologies.. the space shuttle doesn't use a stainless steel skin on it's hull..it's a ceramic.. here the ceramic board is cheap since there's lots of industry here that uses that product.. (precast ceramic is another option too)..perhaps in your region it's not as viable as say a stainless steel SIP..but to some people benefits are that it's looks like stone.. has better perfomance in R value than metal or concrete skin etc.... and repairable when grandmother accidentally drives a car through the wall..:P

in this forum, all i hear are sales pitches from (x) companies but really a consumer have options now to know alternatives, pros and cons, and be non-biased about products..

what is good for me is not necessarily good for you as the saying goes..

We should have an "alternative building system" category here. There are many systems that don't quite fall into the ICF or SIP categories that end up getting discussed in them.