Aerospace

Aerogel Super Insulation Material in Aerospace Applications

Aerogels in Aerospace

Aerogels represent a breakthrough in thermal insulation technology. They are lightweight, offer high thermal insulation performance, and possess a degree of flexibility. These characteristics make them indispensable in aerospace applications, where performance, efficiency, and weight are all critical factors.

Why Aerogel for Aerospace

Aerogel insulation is increasingly used in aerospace applications where weight reduction, thermal stability, and space efficiency are critical factors for aircraft and satellite systems.

Spacecraft thermal protection system: aerogel is used as insulation filling or component to resist temperature fluctuations and radiation. For example, Shenzhou 16 uses it for filling and insulation, and Tianwen 1 uses 10mm components to block high temperatures exceeding 1000℃.

Aircraft engine insulation: used for heat insulation of high-temperature parts of the engine. The Long March 5B rocket engine gas system uses nano aerogel felt to isolate heat energy and protect electronic components.

Aerospace equipment insulation: Tianzhou 1 and 4 use it as vacuum insulation panels and material insulation; Mars rovers rely on aerogel to keep electrical components and circuits running at low temperatures.

Other applications: used for aircraft cabin walls and instrument insulation, such as the US "Osprey" and the British "Jaguar"; aerogel is used for insulation of space suit interlayers to cope with extreme temperatures.

Aerospace Application Scenarios

Aerogel materials are applied across various aerospace insulation systems, including aircraft thermal insulation, satellite temperature control, and defense-related environments requiring lightweight and high-performance materials.

Key Technical Properties

The following technical parameters provide a general reference for aerogel insulation materials used in aerospace environments. Actual values may vary depending on product configuration and application conditions.

Features and advantages

Excellent thermal insulation performance: extremely low thermal conductivity, such as the thermal conductivity of silica aerogel as low as 0.015W/(m・K). The nanoporous structure effectively hinders heat conduction, extends the heat transfer path, isolates gas molecules, and inhibits convective heat transfer.
Lightweight: extremely low density, low-density aerogel density as low as 15mg/cm³, the weight of the same volume is only 1/500 of steel, 1/180 of aluminum, and 1/60 of water, which is conducive to reducing the weight of aerospace vehicles and improving performance efficiency.

Q: What are the core advantages of aerogel in the aerospace field?
A: With ultra-low thermal conductivity (such as 0.015W/(m・K)), extremely light density (as low as 15mg/cm³) and high chemical stability, it can effectively insulate and reduce weight, resist the harsh environment of space, and improve the performance of spacecraft.

Q: How to ensure the stability of product performance?
A: With standardized production processes and strict quality control systems, the raw materials are screened for multiple rounds, and the production is monitored throughout the process. The products pass aerospace-grade high temperature resistance, radiation resistance and other tests to ensure long-term stability and reliability.

Q: Can it adapt to the needs of different aerospace projects?
A: Customized production can be used to adjust the aerogel density, porosity, shape and other parameters according to the location and working conditions of the spacecraft, and provide various forms of products such as plates, felt materials, and coatings.

Q: How is the cost compared to traditional materials?
A: Although the initial cost is high, aerogel can reduce the thickness of the insulation layer, reduce the weight of the spacecraft, and significantly reduce the launch and operation and maintenance costs. The economic benefits of the whole cycle are significant, and large quantities can enjoy discounts.