A welding blanket and a welding pad are not automatically the same protective product. The important difference is the manufacturer's tested use and application plane, not just the color, size, or highest temperature number on a sales listing. For example, Tillman identifies its 591B acrylic-coated fiberglass fabric as a welding curtain for vertical-plane protection, while its 615B ThermoFelt product is a welding pad for vertical and horizontal applications. That distinction matters when you are shielding shop equipment from sparks and spatter.
What are you protecting—and where will the material go?
Before buying, identify the hot-work process, where sparks or spatter can land, and what must be protected: a machine beside the work, a vulnerable surface below it, or an opening that could let sparks travel into another space. A hanging curtain, a draped blanket and a horizontal pad may look similar in a photo but face different exposure. Never assume a curtain approved for vertical use also suits horizontal use directly beneath falling slag.
Also distinguish brief sparks and spatter from continuous heat, molten-metal accumulation, thermal stress relief or direct flame. Those are not interchangeable conditions. The fabric's published temperature value does not, by itself, authorize all of them. Read the precise manufacturer's application description and any project-specific hot-work plan.
Two stocked Tillman options: 591B versus 615B
| Selection factor | Tillman 591B | Tillman 615B |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Gold acrylic-coated fiberglass | Black 16 oz. ThermoFelt |
| Maker's product category | FM-approved welding curtain | FM-approved welding pad |
| Listed application | Vertical-plane spark protection | Vertical and horizontal spark/spatter protection |
| Maker's published thermal value | 1,000°F melt temperature | 1,800°F working temperature |
| Arc Weld size shown here | 6 ft × 8 ft | 6 ft × 8 ft |
These details come from Tillman's 591B manufacturer product page and 615B manufacturer product page. The two thermal values are defined differently—melt temperature versus working temperature—so do not rank the products by those numbers alone. They do not replace an exposure assessment, the FM approval's actual use classification, or Tillman's limitations.
When the 591B makes sense
The Tillman 591B is a gold, 30 oz. acrylic-coated fiberglass material that Tillman lists for general-purpose welding, sparks, spatter and abrasion on a vertical plane. Its manufacturer page calls it an FM-approved welding curtain, lists FM 4950 approval, and states it is not recommended for stress relief. The coating and color are useful identification clues, but the approval and orientation must come from the product documentation, not appearance.
For suitable vertical shielding, Arc Weld lists a Tillman 591B 6 × 8 ft acrylic-coated fiberglass welding blanket. Note that the retail name uses the word “blanket”; the manufacturer's vertical-plane application still controls. Verify how the material will be suspended or supported and whether the fabric's installed edges can leave spark paths.
When the 615B makes sense
Tillman's 615B is a black, 16 oz. ThermoFelt pre-sized welding pad. Tillman describes it as suited to medium-duty welding with sparks, spatter and light slag, with vertical and horizontal plane protection. The manufacturer describes it as nonflammable, nonmelting and nonshrinking, while specifically warning that smoking and loss of tensile strength can occur when it contacts molten metal. It is also not designed for stress relief. Do not treat “nonmelting” as permission to collect a hot pool of metal on the material.
For the stated application, Arc Weld lists the Tillman 615B 6 × 8 ft ThermoFelt welding pad. Review the manufacturer's pad details and limitations before choosing placement. Its flexible feel and black color alone do not prove suitability for a specific welding current, cut, temperature exposure or jobsite condition.
How to select and place a welding blanket or pad
- Identify the exposure path. Think about where sparks fall, where they bounce, and whether an open seam, grate, floor crack, cable pass-through or doorway can lead into a concealed space.
- Match the product's approved use. Check whether the manufacturer identifies the exact fabric and model as a curtain, blanket or pad, including vertical versus horizontal use. Do not substitute based on dimensions alone.
- Measure the area and coverage. The products linked here are each listed as 6 × 8 ft. Confirm that this is enough for the actual setup, including drape and edges; a large piece is not effective if sparks can simply travel around it.
- Inspect before every use. Look for cuts, fraying, burn-through, stiff or brittle sections, damaged seams and excessive contamination. Remove doubtful material from service and follow the manufacturer's inspection and replacement directions.
- Control the surrounding hazards. Move combustibles where possible, close or protect openings, and keep a suitable fire extinguisher ready. A welding fabric is one component of fire prevention, not a substitute for preparing the area.
- Check the installation. Avoid unstable draping that could slip, fold toward the arc, trap sparks, or contact energized equipment. Follow local hot-work authorization and the manufacturer's placement instructions.
OSHA hot-work checks that still apply
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2), movable combustibles should be relocated at least 35 feet from cutting or welding where practicable; where relocation is impracticable, they must be protected by appropriate covers or guards. The regulation also addresses cracks, floor openings, nearby combustible construction, extinguishing equipment, and designated fire-watch conditions. The 35-foot figure is a hazard-control threshold, not a guarantee that sparks cannot travel farther.
When an OSHA-required fire watch applies, OSHA calls for trained fire watchers equipped to sound an alarm and a watch lasting at least 30 minutes after welding or cutting ends. A site-specific permit, insurer requirement or other applicable standard may require additional controls. Do not treat a blanket as permission to weld in a prohibited area or near an explosive atmosphere.
Common mistakes when ordering
Buying only by temperature number: A melt temperature and a working temperature measure different things. Confirm actual material, intended use, exposure and limitations.
Assuming every “welding blanket” works on a floor: The 591B retail name does not change its Tillman vertical-curtain classification. For a horizontal setup, verify a pad specifically rated for that placement.
Using protective fabric for sustained heating: Neither Tillman product described here is recommended for stress relief. Seek an appropriate system and qualified process instead of improvising.
Ignoring the edges: Protecting a machine's face while leaving a gap beside it can still expose cables, hoses, packaging or debris. Identify where sparks can move or accumulate.
Quick buying decision
For a vertical spark barrier suited to Tillman's documented curtain application, compare the 591B. For a horizontal or vertical welding pad within Tillman's stated medium-duty use, evaluate the 615B. In either case, confirm exact product identity, sizing, installation method and safety requirements before use. Arc Weld's live listings show the purchase options, but the manufacturer documentation and your hot-work assessment determine the application.
Bottom line: start with the direction and intensity of the exposure, then choose a manufacturer-designated curtain or pad. Do not use the word “blanket,” a fabric color or an isolated temperature rating as your sole safety decision.