New Aerogel Products for Construction Use: Product Specifications, Application Examples, Practical Aspects

Two new high-performance insulation materials (HPIM) for the usage in buildings are presented. We show how to use and apply the upcoming aerogel products and give examples for structural details. While both materials achieve very low lambda values due to Knudsen-Effect of aerogels, they differ clearly in other key characteristics. SLENTEX ® is a slim, mechanically flexible, non-combustible aerogel mat. It is open for water vapor diffusion but water-repellent. It is suitable for applications with strict fire regulations since it is a purely mineral-based product. SLENTITE ® is a homogeneous polyurethane-based aerogel insulation board without lamination or encapsulation layers and also vapor open. Its surface adheres to almost any organic or inorganic binder. It can be processed very much like conventional insulation boards. While their handling and application are very similar to other insulation materials, aerogels are however no general-purpose insulation products: due to their sophisticated production process, and thus higher price compared to conventional insulation products, HPIM are best applied as problem solvers. In well-motivated situations, e.g. where space is limited or particular aesthetic requirements apply, they offer cost effective alternatives to standard solutions.