Aerogel is a class of nanoporous solid materials in which a solid skeleton encloses a network of nanoscale pores. When the pore network is filled with air or another gas, the material is mostly air by volume but still behaves as a solid. Silica aerogel is a common type for industrial insulation. Buyers encounter it as flexible blankets, felts, pads, and composite sheets rather than as fragile monoliths. Hangzhou Qiyao New Material Co., Ltd., established in 2017 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, lists silica aerogel felt and related products among its insulation materials. This page explains what silica aerogel is, why it insulates, which forms are available, where it is used, and what to verify before ordering. For a product overview, see aerogel.
A solid that is mostly air: the structure of silica aerogel
Silica aerogel begins as a wet gel. Silica particles link into a three-dimensional network suspended in liquid. The liquid is then removed in a way that avoids collapsing the pore structure. The result is a porous solid with a silica skeleton and nanoscale voids. The solid phase is thin and interconnected; the void space is continuous. Most of the volume is gas, not solid. This is why the material can be described as a solid that is mostly air.
The pores are not visible cells like those in conventional foam. They are nanoscale cavities within a silica matrix. Because the pore network is open and tortuous, silica aerogel has a large internal surface area relative to its mass. It also has low density compared with dense silica glass. These properties follow from the nanoporous structure rather than from a single additive.
In industrial supply, silica aerogel is usually not sold as a bare monolith. Monolithic aerogel can be brittle and difficult to handle in large panels. Manufacturers therefore combine silica aerogel with fiber batting, nonwoven layers, or facings to create flexible blankets and felts. The aerogel remains the insulating phase; the fiber reinforcement provides mechanical support and handleability. Product pages may describe the result as an aerogel blanket, aerogel felt, aerogel padding, or aerogel pad. The exact construction varies by supplier and by product. Thickness can vary, and some Qiyao product pages state that thickness is “available in customized options.”
This distinction matters when comparing products. A silica aerogel blanket is a composite: aerogel plus reinforcement plus possible facing. Its performance depends on the aerogel grade, the fiber type, the facing, the thickness, and how the blanket is installed. The same word “aerogel” can refer to the nanoporous material itself or to the finished composite product. Buyers should confirm which one is being quoted. The forms guide at silica aerogel forms discusses this in more detail.
Why silica aerogel insulates so well
Heat moves through insulation by three main paths: conduction through the solid, conduction through the gas, and radiation across voids. Convection can also matter in large open spaces. Silica aerogel reduces all three paths within its nanoporous structure.
Conduction through the solid is limited because the silica skeleton is thin and tortuous. There is no wide, direct path for heat to travel through the solid phase. Conduction through the gas is suppressed because the pores are very small. In a nanoporous material, gas molecules collide with pore walls more often than they collide with each other. This reduces the ability of the gas to transfer heat. Convection is also restricted because the pores are too small for buoyant circulation to develop. Radiation can pass through some aerogels, especially at higher temperatures, so opacifiers may be added to reduce radiative transfer. The overall effect is a material that can provide thermal insulation at a relatively low thickness.
Qiyao product pages describe aerogel felt as having “low thermal conductivity.” No numeric thermal-conductivity value for Qiyao aerogel felt is published on those pages. That is the only thermal-performance wording available from the Qiyao sources reviewed here. If a project requires a numeric value, the buyer should request test data for the specific aerogel grade, thickness, and facing being quoted. The value for one blanket does not automatically apply to another.
It is also important not to confuse silica aerogel with other insulation types. Reflective foil products work by reflecting radiant heat; Qiyao reflective foil listings do not publish a thermal-conductivity value. VIP panels are a separate category. Qiyao VIP product pages state that the thermal conductivity of the vacuum core is lower than 0.003 W/m·K. That figure applies to VIP, not to silica aerogel felt. A comparison is available at VIP vs aerogel.
The aerogel forms buyers actually order
Qiyao’s verified product listings show several aerogel formats. These are the names and configurations a buyer can request or use as a starting point for a quote.
Blankets and felts are the most common. Qiyao lists “Low Thermal Conductivity Aerogel Blanket Aerogel Thermal Insulation Felt.” This is a flexible blanket/felt form for wrapping around irregular shapes. Another listing is “Aluminum Faced 3mm 6mm 10mm Silica Aerogel Insulation Blanket.” The aluminum facing adds a reflective surface and can affect how the blanket is handled, taped, or finished. Thickness options in that product name are 3 mm, 6 mm, and 10 mm. Other aerogel products note that thickness is available in customized options. At the 2026-10-11 snapshot, Qiyao listed aerogel felt from $12.35/pc. That is a starting price, not a project quote.
Pipeline and sound-related forms are also listed. “Silica Aerogel Sound Insulation Aerogel Blanket Pipeline” is an aerogel blanket product aimed at pipeline applications. “Fire Resistance Thermal Insulation Silica Aerogel Padding” is another aerogel padding format. These names describe the product category and intended use; they do not replace project-specific verification of facing, thickness, and installation details.
Battery and pad forms are part of the aerogel range. “Aerogel Insulation Pad for Battery Cell Insulation” is listed as an aerogel pad for battery cell insulation. In battery packs, aerogel pads may be used for thermal management and thermal break control where space is limited. The exact pad dimensions, compression behavior, and facing should be confirmed with the supplier.
For panel formats, Qiyao’s verified listings include VIP insulation panels, such as “Small Thermal Bridge Effect Insulation VIP Insulation Panel” and “Custom Insulation Fumed Silica Vacuum Insulation Panel.” These are vacuum insulation panels, not silica aerogel felt. Buyers who need a rigid panel should clarify whether the panel contains aerogel, fumed silica, or another core, and whether it is evacuated. The term “panel” alone does not identify the insulation technology.
Where silica aerogel is used
Silica aerogel is used where thin insulation, low weight, or thermal break control matters. The applications below are tied to real Qiyao product names where possible.
In building envelopes, aerogel blankets can be used in wall, roof, and floor assemblies where insulation thickness is limited. Qiyao’s “Aluminum Faced 3mm 6mm 10mm Silica Aerogel Insulation Blanket” is an example of a faced aerogel blanket. Building projects also often use reflective foil products, such as “Aluminum Foil Woven Fabric Build Sarking Radiant Barrier Wall Roof Wrap” and “Reflective Woven Foil Blankets Thermal Heat Reflective Radiant Barrier.” Those foil products are radiant barriers, not aerogel, and they do not publish a thermal-conductivity value. They address radiant heat, while aerogel addresses conduction and convection through a nanoporous structure.
In pipelines and industrial equipment, aerogel blankets are wrapped around pipes, vessels, and irregular components. Qiyao lists “Silica Aerogel Sound Insulation Aerogel Blanket Pipeline” and “Fire Resistance Thermal Insulation Silica Aerogel Padding.” These products are listed as blankets, felts, pads, and pipeline wraps. For high-temperature lines, the facing, outer jacket, and installation method must be selected for the operating conditions.
In battery insulation, aerogel pads are used in battery cell and module assemblies. Qiyao lists “Aerogel Insulation Pad for Battery Cell Insulation.” The purpose is to manage heat movement between cells or between modules and to fit within tight spaces. Because battery designs vary, the pad thickness, shape, and facing are usually specified by the battery pack designer.
In cold chain, Qiyao lists a separate product group that includes cold chain boxes and bags, pallet and container covers, and gel ice packs. Real product names include “140 Hours Thermal Large Size 1000L Pallet Shipper for Cold Chain Transport,” “Cold Chain Pallet Shipper 168 Hour Shipment,” “Vaccine Transport Box Medical Vehicle Cooler Box,” “20FT Reusable Aluminum Foil Thermal Insulated Bag,” and “40FT Aluminum Foil Thermal Insulated Bag Custom Container Liner.” Aerogel felt can be considered as an insulation layer in cold-chain equipment where low thickness is useful, but the cold-chain listings themselves should be quoted as complete systems. Starting prices from the 2026-10-11 snapshot include cold chain cooler box from $15.76/pc, 140-hour 1000L pallet shipper $475, 168-hour pallet shipper $475, and cooler shock ice packs from $0.85.
What to verify before buying aerogel
Before ordering silica aerogel, verify the following points in writing.
Facing and construction: Ask whether the product is bare aerogel felt or a composite with aluminum foil, PET, PE, fiberglass, or another facing. For example, “Reflective Pet Al PE Laminated Foil Pet+Alu+PE” is a foil laminate name that may appear in reflective products, while aluminum-faced aerogel blankets use a different construction. The facing affects surface temperature, moisture behavior, and how joints are sealed.
Thickness and size: Confirm the available thickness range and tolerances. Some Qiyao aerogel product pages state that thickness is “available in customized options.” If the project requires 3 mm, 6 mm, or 10 mm, confirm that the specific product can be supplied in that thickness. Also confirm roll width, roll length, and whether custom cutting is available.
Thermal data: Because Qiyao’s aerogel pages state only “low thermal conductivity” without a numeric value, request test data for the exact product. Ask for the test method, temperature, density, thickness, and facing used for the reported value. Do not apply a value from one aerogel product to another.
Samples and lead time: Samples are available. Industry-typical lead times are 15–25 days for standard orders and 25–35 days for custom sizes; confirm at time of order. These are industry-typical lead times and should be confirmed at the time of order. Certificates available upon request.
Closing
Silica aerogel is a nanoporous solid with a silica skeleton and mostly gas-filled pores. Its structure limits solid conduction, gas conduction, and convection, and it can be supplied as blankets, felts, pads, and faced composites. Qiyao’s verified aerogel listings include “Low Thermal Conductivity Aerogel Blanket Aerogel Thermal Insulation Felt,” “Aluminum Faced 3mm 6mm 10mm Silica Aerogel Insulation Blanket,” “Silica Aerogel Sound Insulation Aerogel Blanket Pipeline,” “Fire Resistance Thermal Insulation Silica Aerogel Padding,” and “Aerogel Insulation Pad for Battery Cell Insulation.” For quotes, samples, and technical documents, contact Judy at Hangzhou Qiyao New Material Co., Ltd., +86 0571 8606 2609, [email protected]. Certificates available upon request.
META_TITLE: What Is Aerogel? Silica Aerogel Properties and Uses META_DESC: A technical guide to silica aerogel: nanoporous structure, insulation mechanisms, blanket and felt forms, industrial uses, and buyer verification points.