Silica Aerogel ULD (Ultra-low-density monolith)
Grade
Pick for hypervelocity particle capture, Cherenkov radiators and lowest-possible conductivity research; mechanically almost unhandleable.
Values for the ULD condition
Other Silica Aerogel tempers and conditions
Silica Aerogel is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Silica Aerogel.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MONODefault Supercritically dried monolithic silica aerogel | Classic transparent/translucent block aerogel — pick for optical, Cherenkov-radiator, research and transparent-insulation uses. | — | 0.02 | — | — | 0.02 W/m·K |
Hydrophobic granules / beads | Pick for cavity fill, translucent daylighting panels, coatings and plaster additives where a pourable powder/bead form is needed. | — | 0.03 | — | — | 0.02 W/m·K |
Fiber-reinforced hydrophobic aerogel blanket/felt | Standard industrial form: flexible, cuttable, hydrophobic fiber-reinforced felt — pick for pipe, vessel, LNG and building insulation up to 650 °C where the wrap must follow complex shapes. | — | 0.25 | 5 | — | 0.02 W/m·K |
High-density / ambient-pressure-dried strengthened aerogel | Pick when a rigid, machinable, load-bearing aerogel board is required and a slightly higher conductivity is acceptable. | — | 0.5 | 1 | 3 HV | 0.03 W/m·K |
ULDThis page Ultra-low-density monolith | Pick for hypervelocity particle capture, Cherenkov radiators and lowest-possible conductivity research; mechanically almost unhandleable. | — | — | 0.5 | — | 0.01 W/m·K |
What is Silica Aerogel ULD?
Silica Aerogel ULD is Silica Aerogel in the ULD grade — pick for hypervelocity particle capture, Cherenkov radiators and lowest-possible conductivity research; mechanically almost unhandleable. Silica Aerogel ULD has a tensile strength of 0.02 MPa (0.0029 ksi), weaker than 100% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 5×10⁻⁵ GPa (7.25×10⁻⁶ Msi). Silica Aerogel ULD has a density of 0.01 g/cm³ (3.61×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 100% of ceramic grades. MONO is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ULD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Lightweight — 0.01 g/cm³ (3.61×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), better than 100% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 5×10⁻⁵ GPa (7.25×10⁻⁶ Msi), worse than 100% of ceramic grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.01 W/m·K (0.0064 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of ceramic grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 45/100, worse than 90% of ceramic grades
Silica Aerogel ULD properties
Typical room-temperature values for Silica Aerogel ULD; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Silica Aerogel reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical4
Silica Aerogel ULD has a density of 0.01 g/cm³ (3.61×10⁻⁴ lb/in³), lighter than 100% of ceramic grades.
Mechanical7
Silica Aerogel ULD has a tensile strength of 0.02 MPa (0.0029 ksi), weaker than 100% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 5×10⁻⁵ GPa (7.25×10⁻⁶ Msi).
Thermal5
Silica Aerogel ULD is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 0.01 W/m·K (0.0064 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 3 µm/m·K (1.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical4
Silica Aerogel ULD has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 90% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Silica Aerogel ULD takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — less than 55% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Silica Aerogel ULD's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Silica Aerogel ULD
Is Silica Aerogel easy to machine?
Monoliths are extremely friable — cut dry with a fresh razor/hot wire or low-force diamond wire, never with coolant; blankets and boards are cut with a knife or die, always with dust extraction and PPE.
Can Silica Aerogel be welded?
Not weldable or brazeable; assemble by encapsulation in foil/film jackets, mechanical clamping or silicone/aerogel-compatible adhesives.
Can Silica Aerogel be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape cast in a mould during sol-gel gelation, then solvent-exchanged and supercritical-CO₂ (or ambient-pressure silylated) dried; blankets are made by gelling around a fiber batt and drying continuously.
What surface finishes work on Silica Aerogel?
Surface silylation (HMDS/TMCS) gives permanent hydrophobicity; edges are sealed or the part encapsulated in PET/aluminium-foil laminates to stop dusting and moisture ingress; no polishing or coating in the conventional sense.
Silica Aerogel chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C (surface -CH3 / silylation)TMCS/HMDS-derived methyl groups on hydrophobic grades; absent in hydrophilic monoliths | 0 – 8 | 4 |
| glass fiber / ceramic fiber0 % in monoliths; 20–40 % in blanket/felt variants | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| opacifier (TiO2, SiC, carbon black)added in high-temperature grades to suppress radiative transfer | 0 – 10 | 0 |
| SiO2amorphous nanoparticle skeleton from waterglass or TEOS/TMOS sol-gel route | ≥ 90 (balance) | — |
Silica Aerogel ULD — frequently asked
What is Silica Aerogel ULD used for?
Silica Aerogel ULD is typically used for thermal insulation blankets, spacecraft/cryogenic insulation, particle detector Cherenkov radiators and aerospace insulation panels. In short: lowest-conductivity solid insulation; density near 0.1 g/cm³; extremely fragile monoliths.
What is the tensile strength of Silica Aerogel ULD?
Silica Aerogel ULD has a typical tensile strength of 0.02 MPa (0.0029 ksi) — weaker than 100% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Silica Aerogel ULD easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 95% of ceramic grades). Monoliths are extremely friable — cut dry with a fresh razor/hot wire or low-force diamond wire, never with coolant; blankets and boards are cut with a knife or die, always with dust extraction and PPE.
Can Silica Aerogel ULD be welded?
Not weldable or brazeable; assemble by encapsulation in foil/film jackets, mechanical clamping or silicone/aerogel-compatible adhesives.
What surface finishes work on Silica Aerogel ULD?
Surface silylation (HMDS/TMCS) gives permanent hydrophobicity; edges are sealed or the part encapsulated in PET/aluminium-foil laminates to stop dusting and moisture ingress; no polishing or coating in the conventional sense.
Can Silica Aerogel ULD be formed, bent or molded?
Net-shape cast in a mould during sol-gel gelation, then solvent-exchanged and supercritical-CO₂ (or ambient-pressure silylated) dried; blankets are made by gelling around a fiber batt and drying continuously.
What is the maximum service temperature of Silica Aerogel ULD?
Silica Aerogel ULD is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Aerogels Handbook (Aegerter, Leventis, Koebel) — Springer (2011)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook — Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Pyrogel / Cryogel aerogel blanket technical data — Aspen Aerogels (2023)
- Enova / Lumira aerogel particle data sheets — Cabot Corporation (2022)
- Monolithic and rigid aerogel property sheets — Aerogel Technologies (2023)
- ASTM C1728 Standard Specification for Flexible Aerogel Insulation — ASTM (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.