Binder-Free Silica Thermal Insulation via High-Humidity Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal insulations face challenges in achieving both high strength and excellent thermal insulating performance due to the use of binders, which require oil removal processes increasing energy and environmental impact, and increasing density to enhance strength compromises thermal performance.
Innovation Solution
A method of producing thermal insulation by curing a dry-pressed compact of silica fine particles with an average diameter of 50 nm or less and alkaline-earth silicate fiber at high humidity, eliminating the need for binders and achieving a balance between strength and thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a binder is used to enhance the strength of thermal insulation, then the strength is improved, but the environmental impact increases and additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the binder component from the thermal insulation composition, achieving strength enhancement through the inherent properties of silica fine particles and alkaline-earth silicate fiber alone, thereby removing the source of environmental pollution and additional processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The silica fine particles and alkaline-earth silicate fiber serve their dual function of providing both structural strength and thermal insulation properties without requiring external binder materials, making the system self-sufficient and environmentally friendly
2Strength
If the density of thermal insulation is increased to enhance strength, then the strength is improved, but the thermal insulating performance deteriorates due to increased solid heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite material system combining silica fine particles (50 nm or less) with alkaline-earth silicate fiber, where the specific combination and arrangement of these materials provide both mechanical strength and maintained thermal insulation performance through their inherent low thermal conductivity properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the local arrangement and distribution of silica fine particles and alkaline-earth silicate fiber to create regions with appropriate density for strength while maintaining overall low density for thermal insulation, avoiding uniform density increase that would harm thermal performance
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 method results in thermal insulation with both excellent strength and thermal insulating performance, with compressive strength of 4 MPa or more and thermal conductivity of 0.05 W/(m·K) or less at 600°C, without the use of binders, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
curing a dry-pressed compact including silica fine particles, each having an average particle diameter of 50 nm or less, and an alkaline-earth silicate fiber at a relative humidity of 70% or more
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a thermal insulation having both excellent thermal insulating performance and excellent strength, and a method of producing the same. A method of producing a thermal insulation according to the present invention includes curing (S2) a dry-pressed compact including silica fine particles each having an average particle diameter of 50 nm or less and an alkaline-earth silicate fiber at a relative humidity of 70% or more.