Abstract: An insulating curtain assembly for a continuous furnace, having an extremely durable woven metal-wire covering protecting a thermal insulating fabric which lacks durability. A plurality of horizontally oriented hinges enable the curtain to closely follow a top surface of products having varying thicknesses when those products are entering or exiting the furnace.

Abstract: An insulating curtain assembly for a continuous furnace, having an extremely durable woven metal-wire covering protecting a thermal insulating fabric which lacks durability. A plurality of horizontally oriented hinges enable the curtain to closely follow a top surface of products having varying thicknesses when those products are entering or exiting the furnace.

Abstract: A pair of composite refractory tiles for insulating fluid-cooled structural members of a metallurgical furnace of the type for re-heating metal billets and slabs. The refractory tiles are a composite of a cast refractory shell which extends radially from an outer surface of the tile inward, at selected portions, to an inner surface for contacting the furnace member. In portions of the refractory tile, where contact with the furnace member is not made, a ceramic fiber insulating blanket fills a hollow between the cast refractory shell and the furnace member. Incorporating the ceramic fiber insulating blanket into each tile decreases furnace heat loss as compared to solid cast refractory tiles of comparable thickness. Attachment assemblies, which contact the fluid-cooled structural members, have a plurality of spaced anchoring wires which extend into the cast refractory shell and maintain proper alignment of each tile with the furnace structural member.