Aerogel — história, estrutura, propriedades e usos

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~0.015–0.025 W/m·Kλ

>90%Air

Silica A1Fire

Stardust collectorIcon

Blankets not window panesForm

advancedFamily

Aerogel 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 Aerogel 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.

Introdução profunda

Deep dive: Aerogel

Aerogel (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

Aerogel 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 Aerogel 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.

Perfil

Resistência 12

Resistência ao calor 84

Desempenho ao fogo 86

Isolamento 98

Trabalhabilidade 28

Circularidade 50

Perguntas frequentes

Is Aerogel non-combustible?

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

Does Aerogel 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.

Ícones

Samuel Kistler

United States · 1931

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

Stardust aerogel

United States · 1999–2006

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

Aspen Pyrogel

United States · 2000s–

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

Mars rover insulation lore

United States · 2000s

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

Translucent granule IGU

Europe · 2010s

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

Pipe insulation

Oil & gas · 2000s–

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

Silica gel cousin

Global · historic

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

Frozen smoke photo

Labs · 1990s–

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

Ligue ou desligue ícones — cada barra reescala para o líder da sua seleção.

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Confrontos

Mesma família, outras notas — escolha um duelo.

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Aerogel vs Painel a vácuo

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