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Marinite® A Replacement: Promat MONALITE® – M1AT
Aluminum Contact Board

BNZ Materials has permanently closed their Marinite production facility, and Marinite A is final, non-restocking inventory. If you’re running transition plates, hot top rings, launders, or holding furnace linings built around Marinite A, your supply window is closing. AWMCO sources Promat MONALITE – M1AT, a calcium silicate aluminum contact board manufactured by Promat and rated to 1000°C (1832°F) — a recommended replacement for Marinite A in molten aluminum and non-ferrous casting applications. Like Marinite A, MONALITE M1AT is non-asbestos, non-wetting to molten non-ferrous metals, and precisely machinable to close tolerances for fabricated foundry components. Contact AWMCO for lead times, pricing, and custom cutting.

Marinite® A vs. Promat MONALITE® – M1AT : Spec Comparison

Specification BNZ Marinite® A Promat MONALITE® – M1AT
Manufacturer BNZ Materials Promat (Etex Group)
Density 65 pcf (1041 kg/m³) 62 pcf (990 kg/m³)
Classification / Max Service Temperature 1500°F (816°C) aluminum contact 1832°F (1000°C) aluminum contact
Modulus of Rupture / Bending Strength 1400 psi (≤1.5″ thick) >1160 psi (>8 N/mm²)
Compressive Strength 2400 psi @ 5% deformation ≤3045 psi (≤21 N/mm²) cold
Thermal Conductivity @ ~932°F (~500°C) 0.280 W/m·K 0.297 W/m·K
Thermal Shrinkage (L/W in service) 0.1% @ 1350°F / 24 hrs <0.5% @ 1382°F (750°C) / 12 hrs
Non-Wetting to Molten Non-Ferrous Metals Yes Yes
Asbestos-Free Yes Yes
Building Material Class Non-combustible A1, Non-combustible
Sheet Size 48" × 96" (1219 × 2438 mm) 47″ × 98″ (1200 × 2500 mm)
Quality System ISO 9002 EN 12467
Availability Limited stock — final inventory Sourced to order — contact AWMCO
Custom Cutting Available Available
Supply Status Discontinued — BNZ no longer manufacturing Currently available

Spec note: Bending and compressive strength values are measured under different test standards (ASTM C 99 / BNZ method vs. EN 993-5/6) and are not directly equivalent. Both products are high-strength boards within the aluminum contact board class. Thermal conductivity is compared at approximately 932°F (~500°C) mean temperature, where data from both data sheets overlaps. Sheet dimensions differ — MONALITE M1AT ships in metric format (~98″ × 47″); confirm cut sizes with AWMCO at time of order.

Why Foundry Engineers and Casting Operations are Switching from Marinite A to MONALITE M1AT

BNZ Materials — the manufacturer of Marinite — has permanently closed its Marinite production facility. The Marinite A shown on the AWMCO website is our last available inventory. It will not be replenished. MONALITE M1AT was selected as the recommended transition product for three reasons:

  • Same core job — non-wetting, machinable and dimensionally stable

    MONALITE M1AT was engineered for the same demanding environment Marinite A has served for decades: direct contact with molten aluminum and non-ferrous metals. It does not wet, does not react with boron nitride or graphite lubricants, and machines cleanly to close tolerances with standard equipment. Skull removal is clean. Thermal shrinkage in length and width is less than 0.5% at 750°C over 12 hours. For teams running tight-tolerance transition plates, hot top rings, or nozzle components, MONALITE M1AT holds shape.

  • Higher temperature classification

    MONALITE M1AT carries a classification temperature of 1000°C (1832°F) — higher than Marinite A’s published ~816°C (1500°F) aluminum contact ceiling. For operations running at or approaching Marinite A’s temperature limit, MONALITE M1AT provides additional thermal headroom with no change in product category.

  • Current supply availability

    Marinite A has limited availability. Once the current stock is gone, there is no reorder path. AWMCO sources MONALITE M1AT through Promat — giving your operation a qualified transition option before the Marinite A supply runs dry. Contact AWMCO for lead times and pricing.

Is MONALITE - M1AT a Direct Drop-In for Marinite A?

For most standard aluminum contact board applications, yes. Both are:

•      Non-asbestos, non-combustible calcium silicate boards designed for molten non-ferrous metal contact

•      Non-wetting — metal does not adhere, skull removes cleanly, no foundry wash required

•      Precisely machinable — cut, drilled, and shaped to tight tolerances with conventional equipment

•      Rated for high-temperature aluminum casting environments

Main differences to evaluate before substitution:

Bending strength — Marinite A’s MOR of 1400 psi is higher than MONALITE M1AT’s >8 N/mm² (>1160 psi) using different test standards. For most launder, float, spout, and panel applications the difference is not operationally significant. For thin, heavily loaded structural shapes, confirm with AWMCO.

Sheet format — MONALITE M1AT ships in 2500 × 1200 mm metric sheets. AWMCO can cut sheets to specific a size — confirm your part dimensions at order to optimize yield.

Density — MONALITE M1AT is nominally 990 kg/m³ (~62 pcf) vs. Marinite A’s 65 pcf. Same density class; minor difference with no practical significance in most casting applications.

Common Applications

MONALITE - M1AT replaces Marinite A in the following aluminum foundry and non-ferrous casting applications:

•      Transition plates for continuous and semi-continuous casters

•      Hot top rings (including large-diameter) for direct chill casting

•      Floats, spouts, and stopper pins

•      Distribution boxes, dams, baffles, and filter boxes

•      Launders and trough systems

•      Head boxes for continuous casters

•      Sprue bushes, tubes, nozzles, and feeder box liners in low pressure die casting

•      Working lining in low-energy aluminum die cast holding furnaces

•      Load-bearing housings requiring thermal and mechanicalperformance

•      Structural insulation for high thermal and mechanical load environments

Order MONALITE - M1AT from AWMCO

AWMCO is an authorized Promat distributor for MONALITE M1AT. Contact us for lead times, pricing, and custom cutting to your part dimensions.

Frequently asked questions about Marinite A and Promat MONALITE - M1AT

What is the best replacement for BNZ Marinite A in aluminum casting applications?

Promat MONALITE - M1AT is a recommended replacement for BNZ Marinite A. It is a non-asbestos calcium silicate board rated to 1000°C (1832°F), non-wetting to molten non-ferrous metals, and precisely machinable to close tolerances — the same properties that made Marinite A the specified material in aluminum contact board applications for decades. AWMCO is an authorized distributor of MONALITE M1AT from Promat. Contact AWMCO for lead times and pricing.

 Is MONALITE M1AT non-wetting to molten aluminum like Marinite A?

Yes. MONALITE M1AT is non-wetting to liquid non-ferrous metals including molten aluminum. Skull removes cleanly without adhesion, no foundry facing wash is required, and the material does not react with standard lubricants such as boron nitride or graphite. This is a primary selection criterion for aluminum contact board applications and MONALITE M1AT meets it.

Does MONALITE M1AT have the same bending strength as Marinite A?

Not exactly, and the two figures use different test standards. Marinite A published a modulus of rupture of 1400 psi for boards 1.5" or less. MONALITE M1AT publishes a bending strength of >8 N/mm² (>1160 psi) per EN 993-6. Both are high strength boards within the aluminum contact board class. For heavily loaded structural shapes or thin fabricated components, confirm fit with AWMCO before approving substitution.

Can MONALITE M1AT be machined to close tolerances like Marinite A?

Yes. MONALITE M1AT has a homogeneous, fine-pored structure ideal for clean, precision machining. It can be shaped with standard wood or metal processing equipment using appropriate tooling. Dust extraction is recommended. AWMCO also offers custom cutting and fabrication — contact us with your part dimensions and quantities.

Why is Marinite A no longer available from BNZ Materials?

BNZ Materials, the manufacturer of the Marinite product line, has permanently closed its production operations. AWMCO has sold through its remaining Marinite A inventory and is no longer able to reorder any Marinite A due the closure. AWMCO sources Promat MONALITE M1AT as the recommended replacement. Contact AWMCO for availability and lead times.

Does AWMCO still have Marinite A in stock?

No — AWMCO has sold through all of its remaining BNZ Marinite A. This will not be restocked. Contact AWMCO to transition to Promat MONALITE M1AT for long-term sourcing continuity.

What sheet sizes does MONALITE M1AT come in?

MONALITE M1AT is supplied in 1200 × 2500 mm metric sheets (approximately 47" × 98"), which differs from Marinite A’s standard 4 ft × 8 ft format. AWMCO cuts to your specified dimensions. Available thicknesses include approximately 13, 26, 38, 51, 77, and 102 mm.

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