Aerogel compositions with enhanced performance
AssigneeAspen Aerogels, Inc.
InventorsOwen R Evans, Wendell E Rhine, Jon F Nebo, Jon C Abeles, Jr.
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Abstract
Aerogel materials, aerogel composites and the like may be improved by enhancing their smoke suppression, combustion reduction properties. It is additionally useful to provide aerogel based composites compatible with environments conducive to combustion. Such aerogel materials and methods of manufacturing the same are described.
Claims30
An aerogel composite comprising a fibrous structure and a silica aerogel material within the fibrous structure, wherein, (i) smoke suppressing fillers are embedded within the silica aerogel material and (ii) hydrophobic materials are covalently attached to the silica aerogel material, (iii) said fillers have a size of less than 100 μm, (iv) said fillers comprise metal hydroxides, metal borates, metal silicates, metal carbonates, or aluminum oxides;
- and (v) at least a portion of said fillers are in hydrated form.
A method comprising:
- (a) forming a silica gel precursor mixture comprising silica gel precursors and smoke suppressing fillers;
- (b) dispensing the silica gel precursor mixture into a fibrous structure;
- (c) forming a silica gel from the gel precursor mixture;
- and (d) drying the silica gel to form a silica aerogel composite with the smoke suppressing fillers embedded within the aerogel composite;
- wherein the method further comprises incorporating hydrophobic materials which are covalently attached to the silica aerogel material;
- wherein said fillers have a size of less than 100 μm and comprise metal hydroxides, metal borates, calcium silicates, metal carbonates, or aluminum oxides;
- and wherein at least a portion of said fillers are in hydrated form.
An aerogel composite comprising a flexible reinforcing structure and a silica aerogel material within the reinforcing structure, wherein the silica aerogel material comprises:
- (i) smoke suppressing fillers embedded within the silica aerogel material and (ii) hydrophobic materials covalently attached to the silica aerogel;
- wherein said fillers have a size of less than 100 μm and comprise metal hydroxides, metal borates, metal silicates, metal carbonates, or aluminum oxides;
- and wherein at least a portion of said fillers are in hydrated form.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.