According to aerogel.org, Aerogels are a diverse class of porous, solid materials that exhibit an uncanny array of extreme materials properties. Most notably aerogels are known for their extreme low densities (which range from 0.0011 to ~0.5 g cm-3). Silica aerogel is the most common type of aerogel, most frequently seen in photographs and what people generally refer to when using the word “aerogel” without an adjective in front (although there are many other types of aerogel). Silica aerogels have superinsulating properties as illustrated in this photo of aerogel insulating a delicate, moist flower from the raging heat of a Bunsen burner.
Essentially an aerogel is the dry, low-density, porous, solid framework of a gel (the part of a gel that gives the gel its solid-like cohesiveness) isolated in-tact from the gel’s liquid component (the part that makes up most of the volume of the gel). Aerogels are open-porous (that is, the gas in the aerogel is not trapped inside solid pockets) and have pores in the range of <1 to 100 nanometers (billionths of a meter) in diameter and usually <20 nm.
Aerogels are dry materials (unlike “regular” gels you might think of, which are usually wet like gelatin dessert). The word aerogel refers to the fact that aerogels are derived from gels–effectively the solid structure of a wet gel, only with a gas or vacuum in its pores instead of liquid
A major advantage to using silica aerogel as a thermal insulation material in our insulation blankets is enhanced energy efficiency, and in turn, reduced harmful emissions resulting from energy consumption and cheaper utility bills. Silica aerogels are best known for tremendously low thermal conductivity, which can take on values as low as 0.015 W m-1 K-1. That’s something like the equivalent insulating value of a stack of 30 panes of window glass compacted into a single inch (2.54 cm)!
Silica Aerogel also offers superior defense against CUI, or corrosion under insulation.
We are proud to use Aerogel products from Aspen Aerogels® in our insulation blankets including Pyrogel® XTE for hot applications & Cryogel® Z for cryogenic applications. Aspen Aerogels products are used by leading global companies in key energy market segments.
Aspen’s Aerogel insulation is up to five times more effective than traditional insulation while being industrially robust in a space-saving form, making it the best industrial insulation on the market.
Aerogel insulation offers numerous advantages for blankets and other products. Several of these benefits include:
Our products made with Aerogel insulation enhance durability and cost-effectiveness in the ways you need them most.
Aerogel jacket insulation is beneficial for numerous industries and applications. Some areas where it is most effective include:
If your application meets any of the following qualifications, Aerogel insulation is likely a suitable choice:
Aerogel is one of many types of insulation, each offering unique benefits and disadvantages. Other insulation types include:
Compared to these insulation types, Aerogel consistently outperforms and offers several additional benefits.
Do you have questions or want to learn more about Aerogel? Our team is prepared to answer all your inquiries and provide more information about our Aerogel jackets and other insulation products.
We provide insulation for organizations in several industries, including:
Please contact us to learn more about our insulation blankets made with Aspen Aerogels or request a quote today.