Need a lead on a non heat retentive/conductive material

[grillmaster]

thread334-166140 I am working on a project where it would be helpful to use a strong possibly moldable material that will not conduct/retain heat ie: will always remain cool to touch no matter what the surrounding ambient temperature is. Needs to withstand temperatures ranging from -10 degrees to 120 degrees farenhiet. I am thinking that my only choice is going to be a modified silicon polymer. What are your thoughts. Thanks

 

[Demon3]

I would recommend trying melamine formaldehyde foam known commercially as Basotect from BASF.

http://www.basotect.com

It's the white foam they use in the Mr. Clean sponges. It is intrinsically flame retardant. Also, you can dip it in liquid nitrogen then take it out and smash it with a hammer and it will not shatter but bounce back. It's a thermoset so it won't creep and it's cheap too.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[IRstuff]

A minor nit; something that is non-thermally conductive will NOT be "cool to touch." The perfect example is styrofoam. which essentially feels like skin temperature on immediate touch, since its thermal resistance is high enough to simply cause your hand to register its own temperature. Most materials that are "cool to touch" are either thermally conductive, or partially conductive with high thermal mass. Think aluminum in the former case, and granite or marble in the latter.

Note further, that you've not specified thicknesses, amount of heat, etc., and any relatively thin layer of insulation will eventually pass some amount of heat outward, which could be sensed by touch. You wouldn't get burned, but then, 120°F is not a serous burn threat.

Assuming something with thermal conductivity comparable to styrofoam at 0.6 W/m-K, 120°F heat source on one side, and a hand at 75°F on the other, there would be about 1 watt transferred, which is not exactly "hot" but definitely not "cool."


TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[Demon3]

Right IR Stuff and the best thermal insulator is aerogel (space shuttle tiles) but that's rigid not flexible.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[IRstuff]

Yes, that would have been my first response, but since he wants it moldable, that's out of the solution space:

http://www.glacierbay.com/ultra-r.asp

is a vacuum aerogel system.

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[unclesyd]

Here are links to ceramic paints that may be a path to your problem. The first is one of many paints with added ceramic spheres. The second is for such a paint additive.
The third is somewhat of combination of the two.
I have used the Hytec product as and additive to a high TiO2 white paint and as far as I know it worked well in situation similar to yours.

http://www.liquidceramic.com/

http://www.hytechsales.com/insulating_paint_additives.html

http://www.thermalcontrol.com/insulate.htm

 

[Compositepro]

On the other hand red-hot aerogel could be considered "cool to touch".

 

[Demon3]

Indeed, that's why I mentioned it. Ever seen a red hot aerogel piece picked up? Nifty.

BTW, if you want to buy a small piece to try:

http://unitednuclear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17_69&products_id=89

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[unclesyd]

You should contact Cabot or Aerogel. Cabot has a line of additives for paints flexible materials panels that may be of interest.
I'm not sure about Aerogelen, having trouble on their website. The Aerogel business was spun off from Aspen Technologies late last year.

http://www.cabot-corp.com/Aerogel

http://www.aerogel.com/products/overview-product.html