In the thermal insulation materials industry, with continuous technological advancements, new types of thermal insulation materials are constantly emerging. Among them, aerogel, as a material with ultra-low thermal conductivity, has received widespread attention in recent years. So, does aerogel belong to the category of new thermal insulation materials? This article will comprehensively analyze whether aerogel can be classified as a new type of thermal insulation material from multiple aspects, including its characteristics, performance advantages, and application fields.

I. What is Aerogel?

Aerogel is a material with ultra-high porosity and ultra-low density, typically prepared from inorganic substances such as silica, carbon, and aluminum through the sol-gel method. Its core characteristics include:

Porosity: Up to 90%–99%

Low density: Lighter than air, it is one of the lightest solid materials in the world.

Thermal conductivity: Approaching or below 0.020 W/(m·K), belonging to extremely low thermal conductivity materials.

Due to these unique properties, aerogel has shown significant application potential in multiple fields.

II. Advantages of Aerogel's Thermal Insulation Performance

1️⃣ Ultra-Low Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity of aerogel is typically as low as 0.020 W/(m·K), far lower than traditional insulation materials such as:

Glass wool (0.035 W/(m·K))

Rock wool (0.040 W/(m·K))

Polyurethane foam (0.020–0.030 W/(m·K))

This ultra-low thermal conductivity allows aerogel to achieve excellent thermal insulation effects even in extremely thin layers, making it a representative of ultra-thin insulation materials.

2️⃣ Ultra-High Porosity and Thermal Insulation Performance

The extremely high porosity of aerogel fills the interior with still air or gas. Gases have low thermal conductivity; by reducing gas convection, aerogel further reduces heat conduction and loss. Therefore, aerogels offer exceptional thermal insulation, achieving levels of performance unmatched by traditional insulation materials even in very thin layers.

3️⃣ High Temperature and Fire Resistance

Most aerogel products exhibit excellent high temperature resistance, capable of withstanding temperatures exceeding 1000°C (some specialized aerogels can reach 2000°C). Furthermore, aerogels are inorganic materials, non-combustible, and possess excellent fire-resistant properties.

III. Technological Breakthroughs of Aerogels as a New Type of Insulation Material

1️⃣ Lightweight Material Characteristics

Aerogels have an extremely low density, as low as 0.003 g/cm³, lighter than air. This characteristic makes aerogels an ideal choice for lightweight insulation systems, especially in aerospace, refrigerated transport, and other fields. Compared to traditional insulation materials, the weight advantage of aerogels not only reduces the difficulty of transportation and installation but also improves the overall energy efficiency of the structure.

2️⃣ Superior Thin-Layer Insulation Solution

Traditional insulation materials often require thicker layers to achieve the same insulation effect. Aerogel, due to its superior thermal insulation properties, can achieve the same or better insulation effect with extremely thin layers. This makes aerogel particularly advantageous in space-constrained areas (such as pipe and equipment external insulation), making it a representative of ultra-thin insulation materials.

3️⃣ Environmental Friendliness and Sustainability

Aerogels are mostly inorganic materials, free of harmful substances, meeting the requirements of modern green building and environmentally friendly materials. The production process of aerogel is also continuously being improved to reduce energy consumption and emissions, aligning with the concept of sustainable development.

IV. Application Areas of Aerogel as a New Type of Insulation Material

1️⃣ Building Insulation

The application of aerogel in building insulation is increasing, especially in energy-efficient and green buildings. Aerogel can provide extremely high insulation performance while significantly reducing the thickness of the insulation layer, optimizing the insulation performance of building exterior walls, roofs, windows, and other parts.

2️⃣ Aerospace and Spacecraft

Due to its ultra-lightweight properties and high temperature resistance, aerogel has been widely used in the aerospace field. For example:

Used as thermal insulation layers for spacecraft

As a high-temperature protective material for aircraft, satellites, and other equipment.

3️⃣ Refrigeration and Transportation Industry

The extremely low thermal conductivity of aerogel makes it an ideal insulation material for cold chain logistics, cryogenic transportation, and LNG storage. It effectively reduces temperature loss and ensures stability in low-temperature environments.

4️⃣ Industrial Pipelines and Equipment

In the petroleum, chemical, and power industries, aerogel is used as insulation material for high-temperature equipment and pipelines, especially suitable for heat loss control in high-temperature conditions and complex environments.

V. Market Prospects of Aerogel as a New Type of Insulation Material

With continuous technological advancements, the production cost of aerogel is gradually decreasing, leading to its application in more and more industries. In the future, with the increasing demand for energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and high-efficiency materials, the market potential of aerogel as a new type of insulation material will continue to expand.

Aerogel, as a novel thermal insulation material, is becoming a leader in modern thermal insulation technology due to its ultra-low thermal conductivity, lightweight properties, excellent high-temperature performance, and environmental friendliness. Whether in building insulation, aerospace, cold chain logistics, or industrial pipeline and equipment insulation, aerogel has demonstrated enormous application potential. With further improvements in production technology, aerogel is expected to leverage its unique advantages in an even wider range of fields.