Warm Glass
Isofrax Paper from Unifrax
Click here to order Isofrax paper through the Warm Glass site.
Isofrax paper is manufactured by Unifrax corporation. It is flexible and is easy to wrap, shape, or cut. Isofrax paper is rated to 2300 F (1260 C) and performs well at fusing and slumping temperatures. Its color is white and like most fiber papers it has a different texture on each side. Isofrax comes in several thickness and widths, but the version sold on the Warm Glass site is 3mm thick (approximately 1/8").
From a warm glass perspective, Isofrax paper performs well for fusing, slumping, and kilncarving. It can be cut fairly easily with a standard craft knife or scalpel. Although you can sometimes get away without it, pre-firing to 1400 F (760 C) to burn off the binder is recommended. After fusing, the underside of the glass picks up some of the texture of the paper and some glasses (especially whites and opaques) will stick to the paper a bit. The paper becomes more fragile after firing, but with care will last several firings.
The major advantage that Isofrax paper has over more conventional papers like Fiberfrax is that it meets European regulatory requirements and does not does not need to carry a label stating that it may be carcinogenic. That does not necessarily mean that it is perfectly safe; like most fiber papers, Isofrax should be handled with care. Loose fibers do irritate the skin of some people and sensitive folks may want to consider using a respirator, but these harmful effects appear to be short term, rather than the long term negative effects of conventional papers. A complete Material Safety Data Sheet is available at: http://www.unifrax.com/MSDSAPPR.nsf/byMSDS/M0372
Click here to order Isofrax through the Warm Glass site.