ceramic wool forge safety question

[darkp4st]

I’m jumping into my first forge build after making a knife with a propane torch! I’m planning a two burner setup using an old 13L propane tank, but I’m confused about the insulation.
since I just moved to another state, finding specific refractories is tough, and honestly, I’m getting a bit paranoid about the safety of ceramic wool

I know the dust is no joke. I’ll be using PPE during the build, but what about afterward? once it’s built, is it safe to store, or do I need to wrap it in plastic to keep the fibers from floating around?

 

[quenchquest]

After you coat the ceramic wool with rigidizer or ITC-100, it really locks those fibers down for good. Once it’s sealed, you’re all set, no more dust problems.

Seriously, don’t skip this step, uncoated wool will shed fibers endlessly and can harm your lungs over time.

 

[Lorian]

Once you apply the rigidizer and let it cure, the fibers stay put and safe. You won’t even need plastic wrap for storage. Just be careful with bare uncoated wool; you’ll want some serious respiratory protection if you do.

 

[BlackAnvil]

The concern about ceramic wool is totally valid, it can be pretty nasty before it’s sealed. But once you rigidize it and add a refractory coating, it becomes stable and safe. I’ve kept mine in the garage for years without any issues after sealing it properly during the build.