Hybrid aerogel rigid ceramic fiber insulation and method of producing same

US6770584B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Andrea O. Barney · Bedford, US
• Vann Heng · Buena Park, US
• Kris Oka · Tecate Mission Road, US
• Maryann Santos · Los Angeles, US
• Alfred A. Zinn · Palo Alto, US
• Michael Droege · Livermore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 16, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 3, 2004
• Expiry date: Sep 13, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T442/2975
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A hybrid insulation material comprises of porous ceramic substrate material impregnated with nanoporous material and method of making the same is the topic of this invention. The porous substrate material has bulk density ranging from 6 to 20 lb/ft3 and is composed of about 60 to 80 wt % silica (SiO2) 20 to 40 wt % alumina (Al2O3) fibers, and with about 0.1 to 1.0 wt % boron-containing constituent as the sintering agent. The nanoporous material has density ranging from 1.0 to 10 lb/ft3 and is either fully or partially impregnated into the substrate to block the pores, resulting in substantial reduction in conduction via radiation and convention. The nanoporous material used to impregnate the fiber substrate is preferably formed from a precursor of alkoxysilane, alcohol, water, and an acid or base catalyst for silica aerogels, and from a precursor of aluminum alkoxide, alcohol, water, and an acid or base catalyst for alumina aerogels.