What Is the Difference Between Aerogel Blanket and Aerogel Felt?

Aerogel materials have become a breakthrough in the field of thermal insulation due to their exceptional performance in reducing heat transfer while remaining lightweight and flexible. Among the most popular aerogel-based products are aerogel blankets and aerogel felts — both designed to provide superior insulation in industrial and construction applications. While they may appear similar, there are key differences in their structure, production process, and performance.

Structure and Composition

An aerogel blanket is typically made by embedding silica aerogel particles into a reinforcing fiber matrix such as glass fiber or PET fiber. This structure gives it flexibility, strength, and excellent insulation properties. In contrast, aerogel felt is a type of non-woven fabric made from aerogel-infused fibers without an additional reinforcement layer. As a result, aerogel felt is softer and lighter but slightly less durable under mechanical stress.

Manufacturing Process

The production of aerogel blankets involves a composite process where the aerogel is uniformly distributed within the fiber matrix to achieve consistent insulation performance and strength. Aerogel felt, on the other hand, is produced through a felting process, allowing for higher softness and flexibility but with less tensile strength compared to aerogel blankets.

Thermal Insulation Performance

Both materials exhibit outstanding thermal resistance, but aerogel blankets generally offer better long-term stability and mechanical strength, making them suitable for harsh environments such as pipelines, refineries, and offshore platforms. Aerogel felt is preferred for applications requiring lightweight and compressible insulation, such as in building walls, ceilings, and special equipment.

Applications and Advantages

Aerogel Blankets: Used widely in industrial insulation, oil and gas pipelines, and power plants where high durability and performance are required.

Aerogel Felts: More suitable for architectural insulation, automotive applications, and electronic components where space-saving and easy installation are priorities.

Conclusion

In summary, both aerogel blanket and aerogel felt offer superior insulation, but their differences lie in structure, durability, and application suitability. For large-scale industrial use or demanding environments, the aerogel blanket is the better choice. For lightweight and flexible insulation needs, aerogel felt provides excellent performance.

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