Aerogel Applications

AeroGel has changed the world of insulation. It began as a brittle substance with very good insulation properties and ended up as one of the most light-weight and flexible materials known to man. And this is all because of a company known as Aspen Aerogels. Aspen Aerogels took this brittle substance and used patented technology to transform it into two different types of innovative Aerogels. These new innovative Aerogels are known as Spaceloft and Pyrogel.

Spaceloft is flexible form of AeroGel that has

been designed to be a nanoporous material that can be manufactured into flexible insulation blankets that can withstand temperatures from cryogenic up to 200 C. And these blankets can be used in products such as gloves, jackets, sleeping bags, boots, and many other applications that require superior thermal insulation. However, due to its newness, it is extremely expensive to buy and is therefore not used by many companies and therefore is hard to find at a store near you. But there are a few companies such as Burton, an extreme weather gear manufacturing company located in Burlington, Vermont. Burton manufactures such products as the Burton Ronin Katana Jacket.

Burton Ronin Katana Jacket 2003 689,95 Euro

This jacket utilizes Spaceloft AeroGel to provide the wearer with superior comfort and warmth. Even in the most extreme winter weather conditions, it is proven to be up to ten times warmer than any other winter jacket, allowing the user to withstand temperatures up to minus fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Burton also utilizes Spaceloft AeroGel in there Pinnacle Plus Mitt, a winter weather glove that delivers heat to specifically mapped areas of your hand to ensure your warmth, without adding unnecessary bulk.

Pyrogel is also flexible, however

unlike Spaceloft, Pyrogel can withstand temperatures up 650 C. This makes Pyrogel a perfect material for insulating such products as industrial equipment, power generation equipment, fire protection equipment, and, of course, Aerospace equipment. Pyrogel can find itself in situations such as a space shuttle launch, where there is a need for a firewall to protect vital equipment from being damaged or insulating the space shuttle itself from the harsh conditions of outer space.

It can also be found in fire suits so that firefighters can withstand extreme temperatures for longer periods of time, decreasing the risk of fatality to the firefighter and the people that might be in a fire. Pyrogel is also a perfect thermal insulating shield for astronauts space suits, where there is the possibility of extreme temperatures in both directions. And because of its lightness it allows the astronauts themselves to have better mobility.

Pyrogel can even be found in steel foundries where there is a need for insulations to protect equipment and people from the extremely hot temperatures of molten steel. There are many other applications for Pyrogel, but once again, due to its pricy-ness, it may not be seen in general applications such as automobiles and homes for years.

Thermal Wrap for low-dust superinsulation

Thermal Wrap aerogel blankets from Cabot provide the super insulating properties of silica aerogel in a flexible form that is virtually dustfree! Excellent for engineering projects, ambient and sub-ambient insulating applications, and more. Easy to cut and handle. Useful as a translucent fabric for daylighting and acoustic damping in buildings. Thermal conductivity is ~23 mW m-1 K-1 at room temperature.

Lumira Aerogel for experimentation Lumira Aerogel particles from Cabot are hydrophobic (water-repelling) millimeter-sized particles of silica aerogel produced through subcritical drying. Used in a variety of industrial applications including subsea pipe insulation and day lighting. Use it as an inexpensive way to experience some classic blue aerogel or as fill to make your own translucent super insulating barrier.

Spaceloft Blanket for insulation Aspen Aerogels Spaceloft is a flexible aerogel composite blanket designed for insulating buildings and apparel. With a thermal conductivity of 14 mW m1 K-1, Spaceloft is approximately two and half times better insulating than Styrofoam. Great for home insulation, winter clothing, science projects, and any application where thermal insulation is needed and space is at a premium. Maximum temperature is 390F/200C, density is 0.15 g cm3 (2.45 oz/69 g per square foot).

Pyrogel XT Blanket for insulation The worlds most advanced flexible insulation, Aspen Aerogels PyrogelXT is a flexible aerogel composite blanket designed for high-temperature applications (up to 650C/1200F), with thermal performance two to eight times greater than other hightemperature insulating materials. Great for blowtorch experiments!

Cryogel 201 Blanket Aspen Aerogels Cryogel 201 is a flexible aerogel composite blanket designed for insulating cold temperature environments ranging from cryogenic to ambient. With a thermal conductivity of 14 mW m-1 K-1 at room temperature, Cryogel insulates even better at lower temperatures with a thermal conductivity of only 10 mW m-1 K-1 at -330F/-200C! Lighter than Spaceloft but dustier. Maximum temperature is 390F/200C, density is only 0.13 g cm-3 (2.13 oz/60 g per square foot).