Thermal insulation capability of nanostructured insulations and their combination as hybrid insulation systems

Abstract

The applications of insulation materials in buildings and vehicles are more important than ever. Therefore, the application of thermal insulation materials having high-performance heat-blocking properties such as nano-structured insulations like aerogels and graphite polystyrene is essential. In this paper a comprehensive thermal characterization will be presented, executed on two types of fibrous aerogels (slentex, pyrogel) as well as on graphite-expanded polystyrene, to compare their thermal insulation capability. Moreover, their possible sandwich-structured application as hybrid insulation systems was tested, too. The surface analysis of the samples is going to be presented through microscopic and wetting experiments. Thermal conductivity as well as specific heat capacity measurement results of both individual and sandwich structures will be shown. Slentex aerogel has the lowest thermal conductivity and performed best of all. The results of the hybrid structures are promising. The moisture uptake of the pyrogel aerogel is the highest. Based on the measured values theoretical models will be applied for validation, moreover, a face-to-face analysis will also be presented. Furthermore, calculations regarding thermal properties will also be highlighted. Results of both infrared absorption tests and differentiated scanning calorimetry would help the decision makers and it proves the high infrared absorption of graphite polystyrene.