Better insulation than fiberglass

[Plasmech]

What are some insulators that have lower conductivity than fiberglass? Something between fiberglass and aerogel basically. Obviously it will cost more than fiberglass, but nothing NASA grade. Temp gradient is 350F to 68F.

-Plasmech

Mechanical Engineer, Plastics Industry

 

[IRstuff]

How much do you want to spend and how much do you need? What performance do you need; closer to aerogel or fiberglass?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Plasmech]

Well, I'm looking for a thermal conductivity half that of fiberglass. Basically I had a 4" insulation space get cut down to 2" and need to work around it. Cost wise...not sure.

-Plasmech

Mechanical Engineer, Plastics Industry

 

[IRstuff]

So, basically double the R-value, which is pretty close to silica aerogel. You might look here to see some alternatives. Foam insulations appear to be viable candidates.

A much more expensive alternative is a commercial vacuum insulated panel using aerogel as the fill:

http://www.glacierbay.com/products/thermal_insulation.html

It's supposed to be R-50 per INCH!. The cost, while expensive, isn't necessarily prohibitive:

http://www.glacierbay.com/products/ultra_R_pricing.html

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Plasmech]

Are there any foam products which will beat fiberglass? Something filled with a gas less conductive than air perhaps?

-Plasmech

Mechanical Engineer, Plastics Industry

 

[IRstuff]

I left off the link for insulation in general:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-value_(insulation)#Example_values

However, for conventional materials, you're pretty much limited to about R-8 per inch. Aerogel is listed at R-10, but the VIPs have sufficiently higher R-values that any nominal degradation would still put you higher than fiberglass.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Plasmech]

Thinsulate looks interesting. I wonder if there is anywhere I can buy that, almost seems like it would only come in "textile" forms...

Most of the other stuff (like polyurethane) won't work because of the temperature requirement: 350F.

-Plasmech

Mechanical Engineer, Plastics Industry