Patent ID: 6068882
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: C04B

Abstract:
A process of preparing an improved aerogel-containing insulation product comprising the steps of:(a) dissolving a metal alkoxide in an organic solvent;(b) adding water to the metal alkoxide to cause hydrolysis and formation of an aerogel-forming precursor;(c) soaking a fibrous matrix having fiber--fiber contacts with the aerogel-forming precursor; and(d) supercritically drying the precursor at a pressure to form the aerogel-containing insulation product without aging of the soaked matrix and reducing the pressure at which the supercritical drying is performed;wherein the product contains aerogels distributed throughout the fibrous matrix and there are sufficiently few fiber--fiber contacts in the matrix that the R value is at least about 300/inch when tested at a vacuum of less than 2.times.10.sup.-5 Torr with a hot surface temperature of 280.degree. K. and a cold surface temperature of 77.degree. K.