A sealed vacuum sandwich — λ around 0.004–0.008 W/m·K until the envelope leaks.
Also called: VIP · vacuum insulation panel · fumed-silica core
Vacuum insulated panel is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under thermal: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.
Scores compare Vacuum insulated panel with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.
Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.
Deep introduction
Vacuum insulated panel (fumed silica / fibreglass core + foil barrier) is a family of grades whose density 150–250 kg/m³ panels, heat band core inorganic; envelope polymer/foil, and fire letter system-dependent; core often A1-ish, skins not.
Vacuum insulated panel is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry fumed silica / fibreglass core + foil barrier, density 150–250 kg/m³ panels, heat band core inorganic; envelope polymer/foil.
This atlas treats Vacuum insulated panel as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.
Conductivity note: centre-of-panel λ ~0.004–0.008 (declared bands). Insulation score 99/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.
Fire letter in editorial use: system-dependent; core often A1-ish, skins not. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.
Origin: Dewar 1892 idea; building VIPs 1990s–, Scotland / Germany / Japan. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.
Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: aerogel.
Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.
Circularity mark 40/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.
United Kingdom · 1892
Dewar flask is a reference point in the public image of Vacuum insulated panel.
Japan · 1990s
Japanese fridge VIP is a reference point in the public image of Vacuum insulated panel.
Germany · 2000s
va-Q-tec panel is a reference point in the public image of Vacuum insulated panel.
Germany · 1990s–
Porextherm is a reference point in the public image of Vacuum insulated panel.
Global · 1960s–
LNG MLI is a reference point in the public image of Vacuum insulated panel.
Europe · 2010s
Retrofit city wall is a reference point in the public image of Vacuum insulated panel.
Global · component
Getter pill is a reference point in the public image of Vacuum insulated panel.
Global · 1960s–
Fumed silica is a reference point in the public image of Vacuum insulated panel.
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Same family or rival physics — pick a duel.
Closest neighbours on the six atlas axes — strength, heat, fire, insulation, workability and circularity.
The low-λ organic foam of fridges and buildings — excellent insulation, a fire design problem unless PIR and coverings are honest.
Overall 46 🐑Crimped keratin that traps still air — suiting, carpets and a quietly decent fire story among apparel fibres.
Overall 53 ☁️A nanoscale silica sponge — among the lowest solid λ values, fragile unless blanketed, and A1 when purely inorganic.
Overall 60 🕯️Latent-heat packets that flatten temperature swings — not a substitute for λ insulation, a complement.
Overall 36Melted rock or glass spun into A1 batts — the default non-combustible insulation of codes.
Overall 69 🧽The low-λ organic foam of fridges and buildings — excellent insulation, a fire design problem unless PIR and coverings are honest.
Overall 46 🕯️Latent-heat packets that flatten temperature swings — not a substitute for λ insulation, a complement.
Overall 36