Aerogel insulation is a highly porous thermal barrier made by replacing the liquid in a gel with gas. An Aerogel Insulation Blanket combines this low-density aerogel with reinforcing fibers and a flexible cover. When its formulation and facing system meet the required test criteria, it can function as a non combustible insulation material for industrial equipment, pipelines, façades, roofs, batteries, and high-temperature systems. For businesses, this means better fire-risk control, reduced heat loss, thinner insulation assemblies, and more usable space.
Nano Tech aerogel insulation solutions should always be evaluated through the complete product construction, including the aerogel core, fiber reinforcement, facer, adhesive, stitching, and installation method. The fire performance of one component does not automatically represent the fire rating of the finished assembly.
An aerogel insulation fire rating describes how an insulation product reacts when exposed to heat, flame, or elevated temperature. It is not a single universal number. Depending on the project, engineers may need information about:
These terms are related but not interchangeable. A product can have low flame spread without being formally classified as non-combustible. Similarly, a non-combustible insulation material does not automatically provide a two-hour fire-resistance rating for a wall or floor.
Testing standards define the conditions, specimen size, heating profile, measurement method, and pass criteria. Common standards used in insulation specifications include ASTM, EN, ISO, and DIN methods.
| Standard or classification | What it evaluates | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM E136 | Behavior of materials in a vertical tube furnace | Often used when assessing whether a material is non-combustible under defined conditions |
| ASTM E84 | Surface burning characteristics, including flame spread and smoke developed | Commonly referenced for building interior products and surface finishes |
| EN 13501-1 | European reaction-to-fire classification | Classifies products from higher-performing A1 and A2 categories through combustible classifications |
| ISO 1182 | Non-combustibility behavior under furnace exposure | Used in international fire-performance evaluations |
| ASTM C177 or ASTM C518 | Thermal conductivity and thermal resistance | Confirms insulation performance, which is separate from fire classification |
The exact classification must come from a current test report for the specific product thickness, density, facer, and installation condition. A test performed on a bare silica aerogel core cannot automatically be used to certify a laminated or foil-faced Aerogel Insulation Blanket.
Most high-performance aerogel blankets used for industrial insulation are based on amorphous silica. Silica is an inorganic material and does not act as a conventional fuel source in the same way as many organic foams, polymer films, or petroleum-based products.
The aerogel structure contains an extremely high volume of nanopores. These pores restrict gas movement and reduce solid, gas, and radiative heat transfer. The result is very low thermal conductivity, often allowing the designer to achieve required thermal performance with a thinner layer than traditional mineral fiber or calcium silicate systems.
However, the complete blanket may also include:
These additional materials can affect smoke, flame spread, and classification. Therefore, the term non combustible insulation material should be used only when supported by the relevant test evidence for the supplied construction.
Service temperature indicates the temperature range at which insulation can operate while maintaining its intended thermal and mechanical properties. Fire rating indicates behavior during a defined fire test. These are different engineering properties.
For example, an aerogel blanket may be designed for continuous high-temperature service, while the adhesive used to install it may have a much lower temperature limit. A pipeline system could therefore require a high-temperature aerogel core, stainless-steel bands, and a compatible outer jacket rather than a combustible adhesive or polymer fastening system.
Project teams should request the following data before approval:
Aerogel blankets are used on steam lines, valves, flanges, vessels, tanks, and process equipment where space is limited. Their low thermal conductivity can reduce surface temperature and personnel-burn risk while preserving access around crowded pipe racks.
In façade retrofit work, thin insulation can improve U-value performance without greatly increasing wall thickness. Fire consultants must still review the entire façade build-up, including cladding, cavities, membranes, fixings, and fire barriers. A non combustible insulation material is only one part of the fire strategy.
Aerogel-based thermal barriers can help slow heat transfer between battery modules and adjacent components. They should not be described as a complete solution for thermal runaway. Cell chemistry, module design, venting, detection, spacing, and enclosure fire testing remain essential.
Hydrophobic aerogel blankets may be selected for chilled pipelines and low-temperature equipment because they can reduce insulation thickness and help manage moisture-related performance loss. Vapor-barrier detailing and joint sealing are critical to prevent condensation and corrosion under insulation.
Not necessarily. Aerogel chemistry, reinforcement, facer, coating, and binder all matter. Always verify the exact product certificate and test report. A silica-based non combustible insulation material must still be assessed as supplied and installed.
Class A under a surface-burning test describes performance within that test method. It does not mean that every component will remain unchanged in a severe hydrocarbon fire, nor does it prove fire resistance for a complete building assembly.
Non-combustibility means limited contribution to fire under a defined standard. It does not make a pipe, wall, tank, or battery fireproof. The substrate, supports, penetrations, joints, and protective systems still require engineering review.
Thickness affects thermal resistance, but fire performance may depend on density, orientation, joints, compression, facing, and installation. Increasing thickness without checking the tested configuration can create an unverified assembly.
Consider a process facility with congested pipe racks and a surface-temperature requirement of 60°C for personnel protection. A conventional insulation system may require a thick build-up that interferes with access, supports, and maintenance clearances.
The engineering team evaluates a Nano Tech Aerogel Insulation Blanket using the following process:
In a quality plan, the contractor may require 100% visual inspection of installed blankets, dimensional checks recorded to 0.01 mm where relevant to fabricated components, and a documented response process within 24 hours for nonconformities. These are project controls, not universal aerogel-product claims, but they demonstrate how fire safety and thermal performance should be managed together.
A strong specification avoids vague wording such as “fireproof aerogel.” Instead, it identifies measurable requirements:
For international projects, the specification should state whether the governing system is ASTM, EN, ISO, DIN, local building code, marine regulation, or an owner-specific standard. Test reports should be traceable to the manufacturer, product grade, production lot where applicable, and tested configuration.
Before purchasing a non combustible insulation material, ask the supplier for:
Do not rely only on marketing terms such as “fire resistant,” “ceramic-like,” or “high temperature.” The reliable basis for approval is a combination of product data, recognized testing, engineering calculations, and field quality control.
Aerogel insulation can deliver very low thermal conductivity, reduced thickness, and strong fire-performance potential. A silica-based non combustible insulation material is especially valuable where industrial safety, restricted space, energy efficiency, and maintenance access are all important.
For a building, energy, marine, or industrial project, the next step is to define the operating conditions and governing fire standard, then compare verified Nano Tech aerogel data with the required design criteria. This approach turns the search for a non combustible insulation material into a documented engineering decision rather than an assumption.
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