Interlocking refractory for covering a pipe

A light weight, vacuum formed ceramic fiber refractory unit having two interlocking shapes for insulating a pipe within a high temperature environment comprising:

• a. an arcuate body segment having first and second ends, and extending axially the length of the shape, said arcuate body segment converging in the direction of the second end thereof,
• b. a pair of arcuate protuberances disposed circumferentially on either side of the body segment each having first and second ends wherein:
• (i) the first end extends axially from and is integrally formed with the first end of the body segment,
• (ii) the protuberances extend axially less than the body segment,
• (iii) the protuberances converge in the direction of the second end thereof;
• and
• (iv) the second end of the protuberances are arcuate,
• c. a pair of recesses circumferentially spacing the protuberances from the body segment, said recesses closely conforming to the shape of the protuberances,
• d. a void extending axially the length of the body segment, said void circumferentially spacing the protuberances from one another and closely conforming to the shape of the second end of the body segment whereby the shapes fit conformingly around the pipe to form the unit, and
• e. a support means to maintain said unit around said pipe consisting of an interlocking relationship of the body segment with the conforming void and of the protuberances with the conforming recesses of the refractory unit.