Overview
MEVAC® Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) are high-performance thermal insulation elements consisting of a microporous or fibrous core material hermetically sealed inside a multilayer metallic/EVOH barrier laminate film and evacuated to low internal pressure. By eliminating convective and conductive gas-phase heat transfer, VIPs achieve effective thermal conductivities in the range of 0.0020–0.0045 W/(m·K) at ambient temperature — 10 to 15 times lower than conventional polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam and more than 20 times lower than mineral wool.
The key engineering advantage of VIPs is thin-form-factor insulation. Where a PIR foam system might require 120 mm of insulation to meet a given U-value target, a MEVAC® VIP solution can achieve equivalent performance in 15–25 mm. This compaction of insulation thickness is critical in applications where internal volume, weight, or footprint is at a premium: refrigerated transport containers, pharmaceutical cold chain boxes, household appliances, and low-energy buildings.
MEVAC® panels are supplied to size — VIPs cannot be cut on site, as cutting irreversibly breaks the vacuum seal and destroys thermal performance. Procurement engineers and system designers must specify panel dimensions at order stage. East Materials supports custom-dimensioned panel orders with lead times discussed at enquiry.
Product Range
The MEVAC® range covers four core types matched to different application performance windows:
| Property | Fumed Silica VIP | Glass Fiber VIP | PUF VIP | Fumed Silica Core M200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core material | Fumed silica | Glass fiber | Glass fiber + PU foam jacket | Fumed silica (pre-formed) |
| λ at 24°C | <0.0045 W/(m·K) | <0.0020 W/(m·K) | Contact for data sheet | <0.0045 W/(m·K) |
| Temperature range | −86°C to +90°C | −60°C to +80°C | Contact for data sheet | Medium-to-low temp |
| Density | 185 ± 10% kg/m³ | 270 ± 10% kg/m³ | — | — |
| Max panel size | 1400 × 800 mm | 1400 × 800 mm | Contact for data sheet | — |
| Thickness range | 5–50 mm | 3–50 mm | Contact for data sheet | — |
| Humidity resistance | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Moldable geometry | No | No | Yes | N/A (core only) |
| Finished panel | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (raw core) |
MEVAC® Fumed Silica VIP
Fumed silica powder-core panels offer the widest service temperature range (−86°C to +90°C) and superior resistance to humidity cycling. The microporous silica matrix tolerates modest vacuum degradation better than fiber cores, making fumed silica panels the preferred choice for applications where the panel may experience thermal cycling across a wide range or where long service life is required. Thermal conductivity is <0.0045 W/(m·K) at 24°C. See MEVAC® Fumed Silica VIP.
MEVAC® Glass Fiber VIP
Glass fiber core panels achieve the lowest thermal conductivity in the range at <0.0020 W/(m·K) at 24°C, roughly half that of fumed silica core. The lower density (270 kg/m³) fiber structure provides excellent low-temperature performance down to −60°C, suited to refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerated transport. Glass fiber cores are more fragile than fumed silica cores and require careful handling to avoid core compression prior to sealing. See MEVAC® Glass Fiber VIP.
MEVAC® PUF VIP
PUF (Polyurethane Foam) VIPs use a glass fiber core encased in a rigid polyurethane foam jacket before vacuum sealing, enabling panels in non-flat or contoured geometries that a flat rigid panel cannot address. Applications include curved appliance walls, custom cold chain packaging inserts, and flexible thermal system installation where standard flat panels do not fit. Contact East Materials for specification data. See MEVAC® PUF VIP.
MEVAC® Fumed Silica Core M200
Core M200 is a pre-formed fumed silica core board supplied as a raw intermediate to VIP panel manufacturers, not as a finished sealed panel. It is designed for medium-to-low temperature applications and offers the same <0.0045 W/(m·K) intrinsic core conductivity as the finished silica VIPs. Panel fabricators who supply their own barrier film and sealing equipment can source Core M200 to integrate MEVAC® core quality into their own production. See MEVAC® Fumed Silica Core M200.
How VIPs Compare to Conventional Insulation
At equivalent thickness, VIPs outperform all common insulation materials by a wide margin:
| Material | Typical λ (W/(m·K)) | Thickness for R-5 (m²·K/W) |
|---|---|---|
| MEVAC® Glass Fiber VIP | 0.0020 | ~10 mm |
| MEVAC® Fumed Silica VIP | 0.0045 | ~23 mm |
| PIR/PUR foam board | 0.022–0.028 | ~110–140 mm |
| EPS (expanded polystyrene) | 0.033–0.040 | ~165–200 mm |
| Mineral wool | 0.035–0.045 | ~175–225 mm |
Competing finished VIP suppliers include Porextherm Vacupor, Microtherm VacuBoard, and va-Q-tec. MEVAC® panels are manufactured by Henan Minmetals East New Materials Co., Ltd. and are available for direct export enquiries.
Key Ordering Notes
- Panels must be ordered to exact dimensions — no on-site cutting
- Specify thickness, length × width, core type, and quantity at enquiry stage
- Custom sizes up to 1400 × 800 mm are supported; larger custom dimensions available on request
- Minimum order quantities and lead times are discussed at enquiry — contact East Materials for a quotation
Applications
Cold Chain Packaging
VIPs are widely used in pharmaceutical cold chain shippers, passive vaccine carriers, food delivery boxes, and reusable temperature-controlled packaging where wall thickness must be minimized to preserve internal volume. Glass fiber and fumed silica core panels both serve this segment.
Building & Construction
Thin VIP elements enable highly insulated walls, flat roofs, and floor slabs where conventional thick insulation is not architecturally acceptable. Fumed silica panels with their wider temperature tolerance are preferred for external building envelope applications.
Household & Commercial Refrigeration
Refrigerators, freezers, and chest freezers use VIPs in door and cabinet walls to reduce energy consumption or increase internal volume at the same external footprint. Glass fiber VIPs dominate this segment due to their lowest λ values.
Refrigerated Transport
Insulated containers, refrigerated truck bodies, and reefer units use VIP panels to reduce tare weight and improve thermal efficiency. Both glass fiber and fumed silica panels are used depending on service temperature and weight targets.
Industrial & OEM Applications
Panel manufacturers and OEM thermal system integrators can source MEVAC® Core M200 as a raw core material for custom panel production.
Packaging & Storage
Finished VIP panels are individually protected with rigid cardboard corner guards and polyethylene film before palletizing. Panels must be stored in dry conditions away from sharp objects, excessive pressure, and puncture risks. Do not stack heavy items directly on panels. Internal vacuum integrity should be checked with a surface temperature mapping tool before installation in service. Shelf life of sealed panels in proper storage: typically 10+ years depending on barrier film specification — contact East Materials for barrier film data.
Related Products
- Aerogel Insulation — complementary ultra-low-λ insulation for irregular geometries
- MEVAC® Fumed Silica VIP — −86°C to +90°C, <0.0045 W/(m·K)
- MEVAC® Glass Fiber VIP — <0.0020 W/(m·K), lowest λ in range
- MEVAC® PUF VIP — contoured/moldable geometry
- MEVAC® Fumed Silica Core M200 — raw core board for panel manufacturers
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