Insulation materials, thermal acoustic properties

The autoclaved material has an excellent combination of strength and density. By adjusting the density and the proportion of binders it is possible to tailor strengths and thermal/acoustic insulating properties to specific duties. 

The techniques presented here allow to produce ultralight materials with anisotropic properties. Optical absorption and emission, hydrophobicity mechanical strength and index of refraction can be tuned within the same monolith. Conceivable applications of our technique include fabrication of photonic devices, membranes, radiation collimators, fuel cell electrodes as well as hierarchically structured materials that combine mechanical strength with the acoustic and thermal insulation properties of conventional aerogels. 

Laminated composite materials consist of layers of at least two different materials that are bonded together. Lamination is used to combine the best aspects of the constituent layers and bonding material in order to achieve a more useful material. The properties that can be emphasized by lamination are strength, stiffness, low weight, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, beauty or attractiveness, thermal insulation, acoustical insulation, etc. Such claims are best represented by the examples in the following paragraphs in which bimetals, clad metals, laminated glass, plastic-based laminates, and laminated fibrous composite materials are described. 

The toughness of a material is a design driver in many structures subjected to impact loading. For those materials that must function under a wide range of temperatures, the temperature dependence of the various material properties is often of primary concern. Other structures are subjected to wear or corrosion, so the resistance of a material to those attacks is an important part of the material choice. Thermal and electrical conductivity can be design drivers for some applications, so materials with proper ranges of behavior for those factors must be chosen. Similarly, the acoustical and thermal insulation characteristics of materials often dictate the choice of materials. 

By focusing on customer-driven development, American Aerogel has successfully commercialized a form of aerogel materials. Aerocore, a black organic monohthic open cellular rigid foam, can be produced with a wide range of properties and sizes. It can be used as a thermal insulator, acoustic attenuator, chemical support media, electrical conductor, and mechanical shock absorber. 

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