Aerospace Insulation Materials

Manufacturer of standard and custom aerospace insulation. Products include thermocouple insulators, igniter insulators, flare insulation and suspension insulators. Materials used include ceramic and composites such as alumina, pink alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, cordierite, porcelain and fused silica. Products are available in various sizes and shapes including circular, cylindrical and heavy-duty stand-off insulators. Fabrication, machining, cutting, laser and die fabrication, stamping, turning and slitting services are offered. Capabilities include engineering, prototyping and low/high volume production. Industries served include aerospace, automotive, marine, medical and military/defense.

Aerospace insulation helps protect the environment, passengers and sensitive equipment from the extreme heat of aircraft engines, combustion and decompression chambers and spacecraft launch and landing systems. These insulations also help stabilize temperature throughout the cabin. Thermocouple insulators, thermal shielding and insulating panels are commonly used in commercial, military, VTOL and spacecraft aircraft.

Heat-management insulation helps safeguard electronic components, emissions control systems, batteries and weapons. High-performance aerospace fabrics and insulation are light, flexible, durable, water-resistant and fire-resistant. These materials also offer exceptional stability against thermal expansion and contraction, vibration and harsh environments.

Aircraft insulation also helps reduce noise and vibration within the cabin. A variety of acoustical insulation materials are available to meet these needs, including hydrophobic foams with and without facings or high-mass fabrics, as well as melamine foam composites that are lightweight and easy to install. Acoustical insulation also resists mold, mildew, oils and other contaminants.

All aviation insulation must be flame retardant to keep the aircraft and its crew members safe, especially during emergency situations such as crashes or fires. Fire-resistant insulation materials prevent the spread of fire and flames, and ablative aerospace insulation materials help form a sturdy "char layer" that slows down or stops the spread of flames to minimize potential damage.

A wide range of Aerospace Insulation Materials are used in aerospace applications, including thermal blankets, fabric and ceramic superwool. They are designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of compression and decompression, and provide stable thermal performance over a large temperature range. These materials also have abrasion resistance, flexibility and electrical properties.

The thermal efficiency of an insulation material is determined by its thickness, surface area and pore structure. For example, a closed-cell foam offers better thermal efficiency than an open-cell polystyrene foam because it has smaller pores and lower surface area. Additionally, closed-cell foam is more stable in high temperatures and can withstand higher pressures than open-cell foam.

Various types of materials are used in the manufacture of aerospace insulation, including ceramic fiber, phenolic foam and fiberglass. Manufacturers of aerospace insulation also produce products based on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) films and thermoplastics. PEEK is a semi-crystalline, biocompatible and highly transparent film with excellent mechanical, chemical, biological and abrasion resistance. It is available in a wide range of gauges, thicknesses and colors to match specific design requirements.

Other insulation material options for the aerospace industry include mica, styrofoam and cellulose fiber. Mineral fiber, such as mica, has high insulation efficiency, while cellulose is a renewable resource that is biodegradable and recyclable.