I’ve been commissioned to make some wooden trivets and am in the process of designing the shapes etc.
But one thing came up (because of the industrial nature of the users) about specifying a value for typical heat of objects placed upon the trivet.
I’m sure that they will be subjected to typical stove-top type of heating which I’ve had experience with, but then there’s that fanatical engineer that wants a spec … on paper.
I’m fully capable for the wood part, but then there’s the matter of the finish to be placed on the trivet. I can’t let it go without some kind of finish. I typically would apply a “Special Linseed Oil” to products, but then there’s that engineer.
Do some of you have a similar product you’ve used for the contact surface of a trivet or similar surface?
EDIT: I’ve been advised by “AI” :
A completely cured, well-dried linseed oil finish on wood typically resists heat up to about 120–150°C (250–300°F).
Cullen, I found the “SDS” for this finish with “Nano-Ceramic Additives“, but it doesn’t list them specifically in the ingredients although it does list "Silicone dioxide 20 nm” as an ingredient. I could paint it on the top surfaces and make claims.
I would think that the Rowdy Rooster folks are more involved with abrasion than temperature, but still adding ceramic to the finish is supposed to “improve thermal insulation, raise the temperature at which the coating degrades, and increase reflectivity of infrared heat” according to my “AI”.
Yes! Thanks to that engineer! And I plan on doing that for sure, but now I’m trying to get through the specification hold stage of the project (which is economically viable to my business, of course.)
With a bit of trepidation, I got into MSDS and SDS reports for various products and found many safety considerations like “Flash Point” that are of no concern to me after the product has already been cured/dried to the wood.
At the beginning, of course, I thought this was going to be an easypeasyslamdunk!
If the engineer that wants an exact temp keeps bellyaching, tell ‘‘em to rest easy knowing that at high temps the wood is likely to break down into a “highly heat resistive carbon barrier”
If they ask what that means, tell em to order fajitas sometime and look at the wood the cast iron is served on
I actually tried to do that intentionally to my fajita service ware and it was much more difficult than expected. I figured a couple rounds of setting a 500f pan on it would do the trick but it barely discolored the surface…which makes sense in hindsight, 500f isn’t all that hot in the grand scheme
I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with for this one
Eric, I did look at automotive paint, but I never found a clear version. Although I didn’t quickly find the 2000 degree version, I did find a clear coat that says:
VHT 550° F (288° C) Engine Enamels are a unique blend of urethane and ceramic resins, which produce a tough and long lasting finish.
The only catch is this:
VHT Engine Enamel only attains its unique properties after correct curing. Off the Vehicle: Bake at 200° F (93° C) for 20 min.
I’m going to say that you have found the solution. This allows me to offer this high temperature coated version along with a more practical version that doesn’t cost near as much.
Thanks to all for the suggestions, and @CullenS for the “ceramic” reference.
that wants a spec … on paper.
I could paint it on the top surfaces and make claims. 
