Overview
MEGEL AG-100 is the fine-granule specification within the MEGEL silica aerogel granule range — supercritically dried silica aerogel produced in 0.5–1.5 mm granule format for direct integration as a lightweight aggregate in cement-based plasters, lime mortars, and decorative interior finish coatings. The granule format combines aerogel's exceptional thermal conductivity (0.022–0.024 W/(m·K) for the granule itself) with the mechanical handling characteristics of conventional construction aggregate — pouring, shovelling, dry-mixing on standard mortar plant equipment without specialised dispersing tools.
AG-100 is differentiated from the AP powder range by its particle integrity and handling behaviour:
- Discrete granule form — visible to the eye, retains shape through dry blending with cement and sand, settles by gravity in a mortar mix without floating to the surface or migrating with mixing water.
- Lower BET surface area (400–500 m²/g vs 600–800 for powder grades) — granules are intact aerogel pieces, with surface area corresponding to external particle surface rather than the internal nanopore network. This means lower water absorption during cement hydration and simpler mix design.
- Hydrophobic envelope on each granule — preserves thermal performance even after immersion in alkaline cement-water solution, retaining aerogel insulation behaviour in the cured plaster matrix.
The 0.5–1.5 mm size is selected to match the aggregate gradation of conventional fine-finish interior plasters and decorative coatings, allowing aerogel substitution without disrupting the finished-surface texture profile that finishing trades expect.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Unit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Granule size | mm | 0.5–1.5 |
| Bulk density | kg/m³ | 80–100 |
| Granule density | kg/m³ | 120–150 |
| BET surface area | m²/g | 400–500 |
| Thermal conductivity (granule) | W/(m·K) | 0.022–0.024 |
| Thermal conductivity (cured plaster, 20% AG-100) | W/(m·K) | 0.045–0.060 |
| Hydrophobicity (water uptake, 24h immersion) | % | <5 |
| Water contact angle | ° | 130–140 |
| Compressive strength of granule | MPa | 0.3–0.5 |
| Cement compatibility | — | Verified, no set-time interference at <30% loading |
| Standard packaging | — | 15 kg, 1 m³ FIBC |
Applications
Fine Interior Plaster (Decorative)
AG-100 at 15–25% volume loading in lime-cement decorative plaster produces a fine-finish interior thermal-insulating plaster — thermal conductivity 0.045–0.060 W/(m·K) at the cured film, applied at 8–15 mm thickness over masonry, gypsum board, or existing painted walls. Suitable for residential interior renovation, hospitality fit-out, and museum environmental-control projects where insulation must integrate with high-end decorative finish expectations. The granule format preserves the matt or satin finish texture that lime plaster delivers to interior designers.
Lime Mortar for Historical Building Conservation
Historical building conservation favours lime-based mortars for compatibility with original masonry substrates. AG-100 at 10–20% volume in hydraulic lime mortar produces a thermal-insulating conservation mortar that does not introduce cement-based incompatibilities, preserving the substrate hygrothermal behaviour while adding modern thermal performance. Applications: external insulation systems on stone-and-mortar historical buildings, internal wall lining for moisture-sensitive plaster-on-lath constructions.
Decorative Thermal-Insulating Wall Coating
Spray-applied decorative wall coatings (acrylic, silicone resin, or hybrid binder) at 0.5–2.0 mm dry film thickness, formulated with AG-100 at 20–30% volume, produce a thermal-functional decorative coating for both interior and exterior application. Tested with standard texture-roller, sprayer, and trowel application equipment; preserves the surface texture that the binder system provides.
Acoustic-Thermal Composite Plaster
The granule format and hydrophobic surface make AG-100 compatible with acoustic-absorbing plaster systems based on mineral-fibre or expanded-perlite aggregates. The combination delivers thermal insulation (typical 0.045 W/(m·K)) and acoustic absorption (NRC 0.4–0.6) in a single coating, used in restaurant, café, office open-plan, and educational facility renovation projects where both performance attributes are simultaneously required.
Packaging & Storage
AG-100 is supplied in two standard package formats:
- 15 kg PE-lined paper bag — retail and small-batch plaster formulation
- 1 m³ FIBC (~80–100 kg net) — production mortar plants, decorative coating manufacturers
MOQ is 100 kg; 40' container loads typically 8–10 m³ of FIBC product depending on density.
Store dry, below 40°C. Hydrophobic surface treatment eliminates humidity restrictions. Granule format is robust under standard mortar-plant handling — minor mechanical fines can be tolerated in the finished mortar but should be minimised by avoiding repeated transfer operations.
P100 respirator and eye protection recommended during open-bag handling. Closed-system pneumatic or auger transfer is preferred for high-throughput operations. Shelf life is 24 months in original packaging.
Related Products
- MEGEL® Silica Aerogel — parent hub
- MEGEL AG-200 — medium granule (1.5–3 mm) for insulating concrete
- MEGEL AG-300 — coarse granule (3–5 mm) for construction board core
- MEGEL AP-300 — coarse powder alternative for high-volume mortar formulations
- MEGEL AC-100 — pre-formulated aerogel coating slurry
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