Overview
Silica aerogel is a nanostructured porous SiO₂ solid — 90–99.8% air by volume, 0.013–0.022 W/m·K at 25°C (about half polyurethane foam, a quarter of fibreglass). The 5–100 nm pore network suppresses gas-phase conduction (Knudsen effect); the tenuous skeleton minimises solid conduction.
MEGEL® is the Henan Minmetals East silica aerogel line — five commercial forms:
- MG-650 Series Aerogel Felt — glass/PET-fibre reinforced, 3–25 mm. Pipe lagging, ship insulation, oil-refining, district heating, LNG cryogenic. Service −200 to 650°C.
- AP Series Aerogel Powder — 10–200 μm. Paint/coating formulation, plaster, VIP cores, cold-chain.
- AC Series Coating Slurry — pre-dispersed in acrylic/silicone binder, 0.5–5 mm dry film.
- AG Series Construction Granules — 0.5–5 mm. Insulating plaster, concrete, mortar, architectural board.
- AS Series Industrial Slurry — high-solids dispersion for coating manufacturers with proprietary binders.
This hub is the chemistry / brand / multi-form-factor entry point. For furnace, kiln, and refractory-installation aerogel-blanket use cases, see thermaleast.com aerogel-blanket — that catalogue is form-factor and installation-system focused.
MEGEL is functionally comparable to Aspen Aerogels Pyrogel® XTE, Pyrogel® XTF, Cryogel® Z, Cabot Lumira® LA1000 and LA5000, at a 35–50% landed cost discount. Every batch ships with CoA covering bulk density, BET surface area, thermal conductivity at 25 / 200 / 600°C, hydrophobicity (water uptake %), and fire classification (GB 8624 / ASTM E84).
Chemistry and Pore Structure
Produced by sol-gel synthesis with pore-preserving drying:
- Sol formation — TEOS or sodium silicate hydrolysed under acid/base catalysis → colloidal silica sol (3–10 nm primary particles).
- Gelation — sol condenses to a continuous siloxane-bridged network with solvent filling pore space.
- Aging — held at 50–80°C, Ostwald ripening strengthens the network for drying.
- Solvent exchange and drying — solvent → CO₂, then supercritical drying (Tc = 31°C, Pc = 73 bar) or ambient-pressure drying after surface silylation. Supercritical avoids capillary collapse.
- Hydrophobization — silanol surfaces silylated with HMDS or TMCS to permanent trimethylsilyl, locking in humidity resistance.
Resulting structure:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulk density | 0.050–0.200 g/cm³ (vs 2.2 dense silica) |
| BET surface area | 600–1,000 m²/g |
| Pore volume | 3–8 cm³/g |
| Pore size | 5–100 nm (mesoporous-dominant) |
| Knudsen number in pores | >1 at ambient |
Because Knudsen number >1, gas molecules collide more with pore walls than with each other — gas-phase conduction collapses, leaving only the tenuous silica skeleton. This drives the counterintuitive result that aerogel conductivity (0.018 W/m·K) is lower than still air (0.026 W/m·K), and underpins all aerogel insulation specifications.
Why MEGEL® for Industrial Insulation
Three procurement-relevant differentiators vs alternative insulation:
- Thermal performance per millimetre — 10 mm MG-650 felt = 25 mm mineral wool = 30 mm glass fibre. Critical for retrofit pipe insulation under outer-diameter constraint.
- Service temperature breadth — one material from −200°C (LNG) to +650°C (oil-refining vessel). Mineral wool tops at 600°C; polyurethane fails above 120°C.
- Hydrophobicity — water contact angle 130–145°. Felt retains performance after immersion; mineral wool loses 50–80% of insulation value when wet — the primary failure mode in marine and outdoor pipe lagging.
Applications and Formulation Guidance
| Application | Grade | Typical thickness / loading | Key spec hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial pipe insulation (oil & gas, district heating, chemical plant) | MG-650-IP | 10–25 mm wrapped, SS-banded, with cladding | 92–96% heat loss reduction; 15 mm cuts 150°C steam pipe surface to <50°C, meets OSHA personnel-protection without 60+ mm mineral wool |
| Ship / vessel / LNG / FPSO / navy | MG-650-MP | 15–25 mm, classification-certified | IMO MED type-approved; hydrophobic in salt spray; thinner = preserves cargo volume; 10+ year validated marine service |
| Oil refining (towers, exchangers, transfer lines) | MG-650-OR | 15–25 mm | 650°C continuous / 800°C peak; hydrophobic surface mitigates corrosion-under-insulation (CUI) — the primary refinery failure mode |
| Urban district heating (DN200+ supply/return) | MG-650-UH | 10–15 mm | GB/T 51410 mandatory for new-build above DN200 since 2023; thin section halves trench cost vs PU pre-insulated pipe |
| Paint / coating formulation | AP-100 | 30–60% loading in acrylic binder | 0.5–3 mm dry film cuts 200°C surface heat loss 50–70%. Mandatory: low-shear paddle mix 30+ min — never high-shear, it pulverises the nanostructure |
| VIP (vacuum insulation panel) core | AP-200 | Vacuum-sealed laminate envelope | Aerogel-filled VIP reaches 0.005 W/m·K (¼ standalone aerogel). Powder must be <0.5% Karl Fischer before sealing or panel fails prematurely |
| Cold-chain logistics (pharma, vaccine, frozen) | AC-180 / AG-200 | In insulated container walls | Low weight at high R reduces shipping fuel; especially relevant for last-mile EV refrigeration |
| Construction (insulating plaster, mortar) | AG-300 | 10–30% in cement plaster, 20–40 mm applied | 0.040–0.060 W/m·K vs 0.6 standard plaster. Single coat replaces board + finish. Not load-bearing |
| EV battery thermal runaway barrier (2024–2026 fast-growing) | MG-650-EV | 1.5–3 mm between cells / modules | UL 9540A passing; delays propagation in 800V packs; minimal pack-volume penalty. Used by multiple Chinese OEMs |
Procurement, Storage, and QC
Packaging, MOQ, and lead time:
| Form | Packaging | MOQ | Lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felt | Roll 1×10 m or 1.5×6 m, PE film + carton | 50 m² (1 roll) | 5–7 wk peak / 4 wk off; 8 wk ahead for container (1500–3000 m²/40′) |
| Powder | 5 kg lab / 15 kg standard / 100 kg FIBC | 50 kg | 3–5 wk |
| Slurry | 25 kg / 200 kg pail/drum, solvent-sealed | 1 drum | 4–5 wk (custom binder) |
| Granules | 15 kg bag / 1 m³ FIBC | 100 kg | 3–5 wk |
Felt / powder: dry storage <40°C, away from open flame; hydrophobic surface = no humidity restriction. Slurry: 5–25°C, gentle agitation if shelf-aged >3 months. Shelf life — felt 24 mo, powder/granules 18 mo, slurry 12 mo (binder-limited). Supercritical-drying capacity is the felt lead-time bottleneck.
QC documentation (every batch CoA includes):
- Bulk density — ASTM C303 (felt) / ISO 787-11 (powder, granule)
- Thermal conductivity at 25°C and 200°C — ASTM C518 / ISO 8301 heat-flow meter
- BET surface area — ISO 9277
- Hydrophobicity (water uptake %) — ASTM C1763 24-hr immersion
- Fire class — GB 8624 (China) / ASTM E84 (US) / EN 13501-1 (EU)
- Compressive strength at 10% deformation (felt)
- Particle size distribution (powder, granules)
- Marine: IMO MED type-approval certificate (MG-650-MP)
- EV battery: UL 9540A unit-level passing test (MG-650-EV)
Regulatory: REACH-registered synthetic amorphous silica (CAS 112945-52-5 or 7631-86-9), no SVHC. GB 8624 A-class (non-combustible) and ASTM E84 Class A. Non-hazmat for road/sea/air. Not asbestos, not crystalline silica, no IARC carcinogenicity classification — standard powder PPE (P100 respirator, eye protection) for powder grades; felt grades release minimal particulate during installation.
Specification Table — MEGEL® Commercial Forms
Aerogel Felt — MG-650 Series
| Grade | Reinforcement | Density (kg/m³) | Thermal conductivity at 25°C (W/m·K) | Service temp range | Hydrophobicity (water uptake %) | Fire class | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG-650-IP | Glass fibre mat | 180–220 | 0.018–0.020 | −40 to 650°C | <5 | GB 8624 A / ASTM E84 Class A | Industrial pipe insulation |
| MG-650-MP | Glass fibre mat | 200–240 | 0.018–0.022 | −200 to 650°C | <2 | GB 8624 A / IMO MED | Marine pipeline, LNG |
| MG-650-OR | E-glass fibre | 220–260 | 0.020–0.024 | −40 to 800°C peak | <5 | GB 8624 A | Oil refining, high-temp |
| MG-650-UH | Polyester non-woven | 160–200 | 0.018–0.020 | −40 to 200°C | <5 | GB 8624 A | District heating, low-temp |
| MG-650-EV | Mica/glass laminate | 240–280 | 0.020–0.025 | −40 to 650°C, thermal runaway 1000°C+ | <3 | UL 9540A passing | EV battery cell/module barrier |
Aerogel Powder — AP Series
| Grade | Particle size (μm) | Bulk density (kg/m³) | Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) | Specific surface area (m²/g) | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP-100 | 10–60 | 50–80 | 0.020 | 700–800 | Paint/coating formulation |
| AP-200 | 20–80 | 60–100 | 0.020 | 800–900 | VIP panel core |
| AP-300 | 50–200 | 80–120 | 0.022 | 600–700 | Mortar additive, low-cost |
Aerogel Granules — AG Series
| Grade | Granule size (mm) | Bulk density (kg/m³) | Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AG-100 | 0.5–1.5 | 80–100 | 0.022–0.024 | Fine plaster, mortar |
| AG-200 | 1.5–3 | 70–90 | 0.020–0.022 | Insulating concrete |
| AG-300 | 3–5 | 60–80 | 0.020–0.022 | Construction board core |
Aerogel Coating Slurry — AC Series
| Grade | Binder | Solids content (%) | Density (kg/m³) wet | Dry film density (kg/m³) | Thermal conductivity (dry film) | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC-100 | Acrylic emulsion | 35–45 | 350–400 | 200–250 | 0.045–0.060 | Indoor wall, ceiling |
| AC-200 | Silicone resin | 40–50 | 380–420 | 220–280 | 0.045–0.055 | Outdoor, high-temp |
| AC-300 | Polyurethane | 45–55 | 420–460 | 250–300 | 0.050–0.060 | Industrial equipment |
Selection Guide
| Use case | First-choice product | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Steam pipe / process pipe lagging | MG-650-IP felt 10–15 mm | Industry-standard, GB 8624 A-class, retrofit-friendly thin section |
| LNG / cryogenic / marine | MG-650-MP felt 15–25 mm | IMO MED approved, hydrophobic in salt spray |
| Oil refining tower / heat exchanger | MG-650-OR felt 15–25 mm | High-temp variant, CUI mitigation |
| District heating supply line | MG-650-UH felt 10–15 mm | Cost-optimised for sub-200°C continuous |
| EV battery cell-to-cell barrier | MG-650-EV felt 1.5–3 mm | UL 9540A passing, thermal-runaway-rated |
| Insulating paint formulation | AP-100 powder | Optimal particle size for spray rheology |
| VIP refrigerator panel core | AP-200 powder | Fine particle size for vacuum-pumping integrity |
| Mortar / plaster filler | AG-100 or AG-200 granules | Particle size matches mortar aggregate distribution |
| Construction board core | AG-300 granules | Large particles for high pour rate |
| Outdoor metal-substrate coating | AC-200 silicone slurry | UV-stable binder for sun-exposed surfaces |
| Industrial spray-applied insulation | AC-300 PU slurry | Compatible with airless spray |
FAQ
What is the thermal conductivity of MEGEL aerogel felt, and how does it compare to mineral wool?
MEGEL MG-650 felt is 0.018–0.022 W/m·K at 25°C — below still-air conductivity (0.026 W/m·K) due to the Knudsen effect in 5–100 nm pores. Mineral wool: 0.040 W/m·K; fibreglass 0.040–0.050; polyurethane foam 0.022–0.027. At 200°C MEGEL is 0.030 W/m·K vs mineral wool 0.060–0.080 — the gap widens at higher temperature because aerogel's radiation suppression matters more there.
How does MEGEL aerogel felt differ from Aspen Pyrogel?
Functionally similar. Both are silica aerogel reinforced with glass-fibre matrix, both sol-gel + drying. Aspen Pyrogel uses proprietary ambient-pressure drying; MEGEL uses supercritical CO₂ for lowest-conductivity grades and ambient-pressure where cost matters more than the last 5% conductivity. Independent third-party testing has confirmed MG-650-IP and Pyrogel XTE within ±5% at 25°C and 200°C. Landed cost differential: 35–50%.
Is aerogel felt suitable for marine and outdoor applications?
Yes — MG-650-MP is IMO MED type-approved for marine use, with water contact angle 130–145° preventing salt-spray performance degradation (unlike mineral wool, which loses 50–80% of its insulation value when wet). Outer cladding (typically 0.5 mm stainless sheet) is still recommended for mechanical impact and UV protection of the reinforcement matrix. Standard installation on hot pipe surfaces: SS-banding at 300 mm spacing, expansion joints every 3–4 m above 400°C.
Does aerogel powder pose health hazards?
Synthetic amorphous silica aerogel is not crystalline silica and not asbestos — no IARC carcinogenicity classification. Standard powder-handling PPE applies (P100 respirator, eye protection). Once dispersed into paint, slurry, or mortar, the dust hazard is eliminated. Note that the hydrophobic surface treatment prevents moisture-aggregation, which can make airborne dispersion easier — handle in a closed system or with local ventilation.
What is the lead time and MOQ for felt?
MOQ 50 m² (one standard roll, ~1×50 m or 1.5×33 m at 10 mm thickness). Lead time 5–7 weeks peak season (March–October), 4 weeks off-season, FOB Shanghai. Container shipments (1500–3000 m²/40′ depending on thickness) are constrained by production capacity, not logistics — order 8 weeks ahead for confirmed delivery. Supercritical-drying capacity is the felt-line bottleneck.
Related & Sister Sites
- HJSIL® Fumed Silica — synthetic amorphous SiO₂ via flame hydrolysis (non-porous). Complementary in formulation when thixotropy is needed alongside aerogel powder.
- HMMAT® Matting Agents — silica flatting agents for paints where aerogel is also incorporated for thermal insulation.
- Silicone Oils — binder modifiers in aerogel coating formulations.
- Coatings Application Hub — broader coating context.
- For furnace / kiln / refractory aerogel-blanket installation systems, see thermaleast.com/products/aerogel-blanket. That catalogue presents aerogel as one form factor in the high-temperature insulation portfolio (alongside ceramic fibre, calcium silicate, microporous panel) for furnace engineers and refractory installers. Same SEMITECH industrial-materials family.
- For silane couplers used in aerogel hydrophobization and organotin catalysts in silicone-binder slurries, see chemzip.com. For aerogel-incorporated coatings adjacent to flame retardants and matting agents, see coatingsink.com.
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