New Heat Insulating Material for Building Insulation

ZHENGZHOU, China - Aug. 14, 2017 - PRLog -- Similar in chemical structure to glass, aerogels have gas or air in their pores instead of liquid. An aerogel is an open-celled material that is typically comprised of more than 95 percent air. With individual pores less than 1/10,000th the diameter of a human hair, or just a few nanometers, the nonporous nature of aerogel is what gives it the lowest thermal conductivity of any known solid.

Silica aerogel has remarkable characteristics of low density, light weight, and unmatched insulating capability etc. which is widely used in space missions and other industrial applications, such as for insulating our buildings, to make existing buildings more energy efficient.

Aerogels are made by removing the liquid from gels, resulting in a material that is more than 90 percent air. The porous structure of that nanomaterial makes it difficult for heat to pass through. As a result, aerogels make very good and light-weight insulators.

Because of costs, aerogel manufacturers have focused on high-end industrial applications, such as insulating oil and gas pipelines and even the Mars Rover spacecraft. But now, a handful of aerogel companies are offering thin blankets that serve as replacements for traditional fiberglass, foam, or cellulose insulation. It's still more expensive upfront but the costs have fallen to the point that it can make sense in certain cases, particularly masonry or curved walls.

Aerogel blankets have two to four times the insulating value per inch compared to fiberglass or foam. It's also relatively easy to work with, allows water vapor to pass through, and is fire resistant. Does that mean you should consider hanging aerogel blankets on your walls, floors, or attic to boost insulation? Not necessarily. The higher upfront still cost means that it's best suited for buildings with walls that don't have a cavity--typically formed by wood framing--that can be filled.

Aerogel have a number of applications such as building insulation materials, oil & gas, aerospace, automotive thermal management, health care, chemical, electronics, thermal & acoustic insulation, and such others. With ongoing advancements in innovation of the materials and discovery of new application areas, market is expected to build more strength with time.

source:http://www.aerogelinsulationblanket.com/industry-news/building-energy-saving-four-categories-insulation-materials.html