Aérogel — histoire, structure, propriétés et usages

Repères

~0.015–0.025 W/m·Kλ

>90%Air

Silica A1Fire

Stardust collectorIcon

Blankets not window panesForm

advancedFamily

Aérogel is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under advanced: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Aérogel 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.

Introduction approfondie

Deep dive: Aérogel

Aérogel (SiO2 network + >90% air) is a family of grades whose density ~0.003–0.15 g/cm³, heat band silica sinters; organic aerogels burn, and fire letter silica A1; polymer aerogels not.

What “the material” actually is

Aérogel is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry SiO2 network + >90% air, density ~0.003–0.15 g/cm³, heat band silica sinters; organic aerogels burn.

This atlas treats Aérogel as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.

Heat, fire and insulation

Conductivity note: silica blankets ~0.015–0.025 W/m·K class. Insulation score 98/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.

Fire letter in editorial use: silica A1; polymer aerogels not. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.

How it is made and used

Origin: Kistler 1931; NASA / Aspen 1990s–, United States. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: vacuum-insulation.

Market and circularity

Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.

Circularity mark 50/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.

Profil

Résistance 12

Résistance à la chaleur 84

Performance au feu 86

Isolation 98

Ouvrabilité 28

Circularité 50

Questions fréquentes

Is Aérogel non-combustible?

Declared reaction class in this atlas: silica A1; polymer aerogels not. Assemblies still need resistance tests.

Does Aérogel insulate?

Thermal mark 98/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: silica blankets ~0.015–0.025 W/m·K class.

What is the density band?

~0.003–0.15 g/cm³

How is it made?

Origin story: Kistler 1931; NASA / Aspen 1990s– (United States).

Can it be recycled?

Circularity mark 50/100 — editorial, route-specific.

Typical melting or failure heat?

silica sinters; organic aerogels burn

What should it be paired with?

vacuum-insulation: The other ultra-low λ panel.

Where is it specified?

Buildings, transport, energy and consumer goods — see the uses chapter.

Icônes

Samuel Kistler

United States · 1931

Samuel Kistler is a reference point in the public image of Aérogel.

Stardust aerogel

United States · 1999–2006

Stardust aerogel is a reference point in the public image of Aérogel.

Aspen Pyrogel

United States · 2000s–

Aspen Pyrogel is a reference point in the public image of Aérogel.

Mars rover insulation lore

United States · 2000s

Mars rover insulation lore is a reference point in the public image of Aérogel.

Translucent granule IGU

Europe · 2010s

Translucent granule IGU is a reference point in the public image of Aérogel.

Pipe insulation

Oil & gas · 2000s–

Pipe insulation is a reference point in the public image of Aérogel.

Silica gel cousin

Global · historic

Silica gel cousin is a reference point in the public image of Aérogel.

Frozen smoke photo

Labs · 1990s–

Frozen smoke photo is a reference point in the public image of Aérogel.

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Duels

Même famille, autres notes — choisissez un duel.

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Aérogel vs Panneau sous vide

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Matériaux proches

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☁️Aérogel

Repères