Aerogel Thermal Insulation Coatings: A Thermal Insulation Revolution from Space Technology to Civil Energy Efficiency

Hearum, hailed as ‘solid air’, is a revolutionary nanoscale thermal insulation material of the 21st century. Hearum thermal insulation coatings, formulated with Hearum as their core functional component, are reshaping the technological landscape in sectors such as building energy efficiency, industrial insulation and thermal management for new energy sources. Thanks to their ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight, highly efficient thermal insulation, fire-resistant and eco-friendly properties, they have become a key energy-saving material in the pursuit of the ‘dual carbon’ goals.

I. Core Insulation Principle: Triple Mechanism to Block Heat Transfer

At the heart of aerogel thermal insulation coatings lies a coating system composed of nano-porous silica aerogel combined with functional resins and reflective fillers, which comprehensively locks in temperature by addressing conduction, convection and radiation.

1. Blocking Solid Thermal Conduction

Aerogel itself possesses an ultra-high porosity of 90%–99.8%, with the solid framework occupying only a minuscule volume. This significantly lengthens the thermal conduction path, resulting in a thermal conductivity as low as 0.012–0.02 W/(m·K), with thermal insulation efficiency 5–10 times that of traditional polystyrene boards and rock wool.

2. Eliminating convective heat transfer

With nanopores measuring <67 nm—smaller than the mean free path of air molecules—air molecules are ‘trapped’ within the pore channels and cannot circulate, forming a near-static air layer that completely prevents convective heat transfer.

3. Reflection and scattering of thermal radiation

The coating is formulated with ceramic microspheres and infrared-reflective fillers, achieving a reflectance of over 90% for sunlight and infrared thermal radiation. This reduces heat absorption at the source, enabling a synergistic temperature control mechanism of ‘reflection–blocking–heat dissipation’.

In simple terms: a thin coating of just 1–3 mm can achieve the same effect as a traditional insulation layer several centimetres thick, without taking up space or increasing the load.

II. Core Performance Advantages

Ultra-thin and highly efficient: Millimetre-thick yet with thermal insulation performance far exceeding that of traditional thick-layer materials

Lightweight and low-load: Density is only 1/3–1/5 that of traditional materials, reducing the burden on buildings and equipment

Class B1 fire resistance: Difficult to ignite when exposed to fire and self-extinguishing upon removal from the flame; no dripping or spread of open flames during combustion, ensuring high safety

Hydrophobic and Corrosion-Resistant: Hydrophobicity >99%, blocking water vapour and chloride ions to extend the service life of the substrate

Easy to Apply: Can be sprayed, rolled or trowelled, suitable for complex curved surfaces and irregular structures

Long-lasting Durability: Excellent weather resistance, with a service life of up to 15–20 years

III. Main Application Scenarios

1. Building Energy Efficiency (Residential/Public Buildings)

Thermal insulation for building exteriors, roofs and partition walls, reducing air conditioning energy consumption by 30%–50%
Energy-saving retrofits for older residential estates, without occupying indoor space or altering the building’s appearance
Cold storage and cold chain logistics facilities, minimising cold loss

2. Industrial Energy Efficiency (Petrochemical/Power/Metallurgy)

Thermal insulation for high-temperature pipes, valves, reactors and storage tanks, reducing heat loss by 40%–60%

Protection of furnace and boiler inner walls, stabilising furnace temperatures and improving thermal efficiency

Prevention of burns from equipment surfaces, improving workshop working conditions

3. New Energy and Transport

Thermal insulation for new energy vehicle battery packs, suppressing the spread of thermal runaway

Thermal insulation and noise reduction for rail transport, ships and containers

Temperature control for photovoltaic and energy storage equipment, enhancing operational stability

4. Specialised Applications

Thermal protection for aerospace and military equipment

Anti-condensation and anti-dew protection for high-precision instruments and cryogenic pipelines

Aerogel thermal insulation coatings represent a prime example of nanotechnology transitioning from aerospace to civilian applications. With their ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight and superior thermal insulation properties, they address the shortcomings of traditional insulation materials—such as thickness, weight, flammability, susceptibility to decay and complex installation—whilst offering multiple benefits including energy efficiency, safety, environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness.

Amid the global trend towards low-carbon transition and industrial upgrading, aerogel thermal insulation coatings are evolving from ‘high-end new materials’ into essential, widely applicable energy-saving solutions. In the future, they will permeate sectors such as construction, industry, transport and new energy, becoming a core pillar of energy conservation, reduced consumption and green development.