Preparation and Properties of Super Insulation Material SiO2 Aerogel

Abstract

Nano-porous monolithic SiO2 aerogel as insulation material was prepared from silicon alkoxide as the precursor materials, followed by ethanol supercritical drying in this paper. In order to improve the mechanical properties of silica aerogel monoliths, the ceramic fibers were mixed in the pure aerogel, or integrating inorganic fiber materials as skeleton materials with low thermal conductivity supporting. Instron 5566, 5500R Material Testing Machine was used to measure the mechanical intensity. SEM was used to characterize the morphology of the silica aerogel monoliths. The thermal properties of the silica aerogels were determined by using the Hot Disk device. The results show that new type composite materials had a low effect on the thermal conductivities of the silica aerogel monoliths, but improved the mechanical intensity clearly. It made a great progress in the practical application of the SiO2 aerogel monoliths.