Buildings
Structure, lining, insulation or finish depending on family.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength14
Heat resistance40
Fire performance44
Insulation99
Workability24
Circularity40
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Quick answers
Is Vacuum insulated panel non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: system-dependent; core often A1-ish, skins not. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Vacuum insulated panel insulate?
Thermal mark 99/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: centre-of-panel λ ~0.004–0.008 (declared bands).
What is the density band?
150–250 kg/m³ panels
How is it made?
Origin story: Dewar 1892 idea; building VIPs 1990s– (Scotland / Germany / Japan).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 40/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
core inorganic; envelope polymer/foil
heat 40 · fire 44
Vacuum insulated panel earns its keep in systems: a beam, a batt, a fibre blend, a coated steel — rarely a lone coupon.
Products below are cultural landmarks as much as SKUs.
Sectors
Transport
Mass, fire and fatigue rewrite the grade list.
Energy
Heat, voltage and hydrogen compatibility.
Consumer
The volume that pays for the mill.
Medical / food
When allowed — extractables and allergies matter.
Defence / safety
Ballistics, FR clothing, fire stops.
Products
Dewar flask
1892
Japanese fridge VIP
1990s
va-Q-tec panel
2000s
Porextherm
1990s–
LNG MLI
1960s–
Retrofit city wall
2010s
Getter pill
component
Fumed silica
1960s–
Pairings
aerogel
Solid ultra-low λ without a vacuum to lose.
mineral-wool
Thick, cheap, puncture-proof.
polyurethane-foam
The usual thin-ish organic board.
phase-change
Stores heat rather than blocking it.
If the pairing is wrong, the material will be blamed for a system fault.
Keep exploring
More in Thermal
🪨
Mineral wool
Melted rock or glass spun into A1 batts — the default non-combustible insulation of codes.
Overall 69 🧽Polyurethane foam
The low-λ organic foam of fridges and buildings — excellent insulation, a fire design problem unless PIR and coverings are honest.
Overall 46 🕯️Phase-change material
Latent-heat packets that flatten temperature swings — not a substitute for λ insulation, a complement.
Overall 36