Aerogel

一、Core key performance (most valued by industry)

1. Super adiabatic (maximum advantage)
   Thermal conductivity at room temperature: 0.012-0.024 W/(m · K), lower than that of still air (0.024);
   Equivalent insulation effect, with a thickness of only 1/3 to 1/5 of rock wool and aluminum silicate.

Comparison reference: Rock wool ≈ 0.040; Polyurethane foam ≈ 0.026

2. Flame retardant and fire-resistant

   Mainstream silica gas gel Class A incombustible UL94 V-0； Regular long-term use temperature -200 ℃~650 ℃; The modified high-temperature version can reach 1000 ℃+.
3. Low density, lightweight

   The density of industrial product gas gel felt is about 120~300 kg/m ³; The density of carbon aerogel in laboratory can be lower than that of air.
4. Other Features

   High specific surface area (200-1000 m ²/g), sound insulation, can be made into hydrophobic type;

   Short board: pure gel body is very fragile, and almost no whole piece of pure gel is used in industry. Most of them are made into aerogel composite felt, heat insulation sheet and powder coating.

二、Mainstream classification (mostly commercial)

1. Silica aerogel (SiO ₂, market mainstream)

   Inorganic, flame retardant, resistant to medium and high temperatures, insulated, with the highest cost-effectiveness;

   Form: aerogel felt, electric core insulation sheet, powder, thermal insulation coating;

   👉 Energy storage, power batteries, and pipeline insulation are preferred choices.
2. Alumina/zirconia aerogel

   High temperature resistance (1200-2000 ℃), expensive price; Aircraft engines, aerospace thermal protection.
3. carbon aerogel

   Conductivity and high adsorption; Used for supercapacitors, wastewater treatment, and catalytic carriers.
4. Organic/polyimide aerogel

   Flexible and bendable, low-temperature insulation, lightweight aerospace.

三、Mainstream industrial forms (common categories in the energy storage industry)

• Air gel thermal insulation blanket (nano thermal insulation blanket): fiber base impregnated with air gel powder, coiled material, pipeline, container insulation
• Aerogel insulation sheet/fireproof pad: hard/semi hard sheet → thermal runaway prevention between lithium battery cell and module (core auxiliary material of energy storage cabinet)
• Aerogel powder: raw material, used to make paint and slurry
• Air gel thermal insulation coating: spray type, integrated anti-corrosion and thermal insulation of profiled equipment

四、Key applications (combined with energy storage/new energy scenarios)

🔋New energy&energy storage (currently the largest incremental market)

1. Power battery/energy storage battery: insulation barrier between battery cells to prevent the chain spread of thermal runaway;
2. Fire separation inside energy storage containers and battery cabinets;
3. Liquid hydrogen and low-temperature energy storage tank insulation.

🏭Traditional Industry

🛰high-end sector

🏠Civilian (small amount)