Aerogel—the strongest known solid thermal insulation material—do you know its main applications?

Aerogel: The World’s Best Solid Thermal Insulation Material – Do You Know Its Main Applications?

When people first hear the word “aerogel,” many think of futuristic technology. This extraordinary material is 99.8% air by volume, yet it can support thousands of times its own weight. More importantly, its thermal conductivity is only 0.013–0.020 W/(m·K) — far superior to traditional materials like rock wool (~0.040) or polyurethane foam (~0.025), making it the undisputed champion of solid-state thermal insulation.

Thanks to its unique nano-porous structure, aerogel effectively blocks all three heat transfer mechanisms: conduction, convection, and radiation. This enables outstanding performance in both extreme high and low-temperature environments. As the world accelerates toward carbon neutrality, aerogel is rapidly becoming a key material for energy efficiency and safety.

So, where exactly is this “miracle material” being used today? Here are the five major application areas, plus emerging fields with huge potential:

1. Industrial Pipeline & Equipment Insulation

In refineries, LNG terminals, steam lines, and cryogenic systems, heat loss (or gain) directly translates to massive energy waste. Traditional insulation is thick, heavy, and moisture-absorbent. Aerogel blankets require only 1/3 to 1/5 the thickness while delivering equal or better performance. Benefits include:

Faster installation and smaller footprint

Hydrophobic (>99% water repellency), corrosion-resistant

Significant energy savings (often >30% heat loss reduction)

Real-world example: Middle Eastern oil & gas projects using aerogel have reduced energy consumption by up to 15%.

2. Building Energy Efficiency & Passive Houses

With stricter global standards (EU nearly-zero-energy buildings, China ultra-low-energy targets), architects need thinner, high-performance insulation. Aerogel blankets and panels applied to exterior walls, roofs, and thermal bridges help achieve passive house standards without sacrificing interior space. Lightweight, A1 fire-rated, and durable for decades.

3. New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Battery Thermal Management

Preventing thermal runaway is the #1 safety challenge for lithium-ion battery packs. Aerogel felt provides:

Ultra-low thermal conductivity

Excellent fire resistance (withstands >650°C flame)

Compression cushioning and lightweight design

Leading manufacturers including CATL, BYD, LG Energy Solution, and international Tier-1 suppliers have made aerogel a standard choice for battery pack fire barriers and cell-to-cell insulation.

4. Extreme Cold-Weather Outdoor Apparel & Gear

Originally developed by NASA for space suits, aerogel is now found in premium outdoor brands (e.g., The North Face, Patagonia, OROS). It delivers exceptional warmth at minimal thickness and weight, remaining breathable even at –40°C and below.

5. Emerging High-Value Applications

Aerospace: spacecraft re-entry heat shields, astronaut clothing

Oil & Gas: deep-sea and sub-zero LNG pipelines

Cold-chain logistics & refrigerated transport

Data center cooling and high-performance electronics

Military & defense applications

As production scales and costs continue to decline, aerogel is poised to become as common as rock wool or PU foam in everyday life.

About Hebei Woqin Trade Co., Ltd.

Hebei Woqin Trade Co., Ltd. has specialized in silica aerogel insulation materials for many years. We manufacture and supply:

Aerogel blankets (3mm, 5mm, 10mm, 20mm, customizable)

Aerogel coatings & slurries (brushable or sprayable for complex shapes)

Aerogel particles, boards, and custom solutions

we offer complete services: material selection consultation, thermal calculation, solution design, sampling, and fast delivery worldwide.

Whether you are in industrial insulation, new energy vehicles, green building, or high-end outdoor equipment, we welcome you to contact us for samples, technical data, or factory visits!

Ready to upgrade to the world’s best insulation? Let’s talk aerogel!