06.16.11
Cabot Corporation recently introduced Enova aerogel, a new high performance thermal additive designed specifically for insulation coatings. Cabot researchers have found that applying a 1mm coating containing Enova aerogel to a 200°C metal surface meets U.S. and European testing protocols for safe touch temperature, preventing the first-degree burns one would normally expect within five seconds of skin contact. This not only protects employees, but also helps keep the pipe contents at desired temperature. Coatings containing Enova aerogel can also be used to insulate cold surfaces helping to eliminate freezer burns and to reduce the power requirements needed to keep contents cold. Enova aerogel is designed for application to surfaces that are not already insulated but ideally should be. This includes hard to reach and expansive areas of exposed metal where traditional insulation methods cannot be used due to limited access, size or shape. Enova aerogel can be added during formulation or on site and does not adversely affect the viscosity of the coating enabling it to be applied easily to a surface. Cabot’s Enova product line is made up of aerogel and each particle consists of more than 90 percent air trapped within a network of amorphous silica making it twice as insulating as still air. The low thermal conductivity of Enova aerogel – 12 mW/mK – works better than traditional insulation such as polyurethane foam (typically 30 mW/mK) and additives such as glass or ceramic microspheres, according to the company.