Aerogel composite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerogel blankets used in high-temperature applications, such as in construction or for batteries, often experience decomposition or loss of components, leading to reduced insulation and flame retardancy over time.
Innovation Solution
An aerogel composite is developed, comprising a fiber substrate and an aerogel with one or more pores, which maintains a weight retention rate of 97 wt% or greater after heating at 300°C for extended periods, and includes ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium carbonate particles to enhance flame retardancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerogel blanket is used for heat insulation in high-temperature applications, then insulation performance is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates due to decomposition and loss of components over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining aerogel particles with a binder matrix to form an aerogel composite. This composite structure maintains the excellent insulation properties of aerogel while the binder provides structural stability and prevents decomposition at high temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between insulation performance and thermal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the aerogel system by controlling particle size distribution, porosity, and binder composition. These parameter changes enhance the thermal stability of the aerogel composite, allowing it to maintain its composition and insulation performance even when exposed to high temperatures for extended periods.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aerogel blanket is exposed to high-temperature environment for long period, then flame retardancy is improved, but decomposition and component loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flame retardant additives that act as sacrificial components, designed to decompose preferentially to suppress combustion. These additives sacrifice themselves to maintain flame retardancy, preventing the loss of critical aerogel components while providing sustained fire protection over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The binder acts as an intermediary between the aerogel particles and the external high-temperature environment. It forms a protective matrix that shields the aerogel components from direct thermal degradation while allowing the material to maintain its flame retardant properties through controlled chemical reactions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The aerogel composite exhibits excellent thermal stability and high flame retardancy even after prolonged exposure to high temperatures, maintaining its insulation performance and preventing significant weight loss.
Implementation Method 1
An aerogel is a super-porous, high specific surface area (>500 m2/g) material having a porosity of approximately 90.0% to 99.9% and a pore size in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm, and is a material having excellent properties ultra-light weight/super-heat insulation
Implementation Method 2
when the aerogel blanket is installed and applied to the above-mentioned applications, especially high-temperature piping, the aerogel blanket is often exposed to a high-temperature environment for a long period of time, in which case, some components present in the aerogel may be either decomposed or lost
Data Source
AI summary
An aerogel composite has excellent thermal stability and flame retardancy even when exposed to a high-temperature environment for a long period of time.