Surface modified aerogel monoliths

US8394492B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Nicholas Leventis · Westlake, US
• James C. Johnston · Euclid, US
• Maria A. Kuczmarski · Independence, US
• Mary Ann B. Meador · Strongsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 2004
• Grant date: Mar 12, 2013
• Expiry date: Mar 23, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2933
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention comprises reinforced aerogel monoliths such as silica aerogels having a polymer coating on its outer geometric surface boundary, and to the method of preparing said aerogel monoliths. The polymer coatings on the aerogel monoliths are derived from polymer precursors selected from the group consisting of isocyanates as a precursor, precursors of epoxies, and precursors of polyimides. The coated aerogel monoliths can be modified further by encapsulating the aerogel with the polymer precursor reinforced with fibers such as carbon or glass fibers to obtain mechanically reinforced composite encapsulated aerogel monoliths.