Effect of mixing on thermal and mechanical properties of aerogel-PVB composites

Silica aerogels were synthesized via solvent exchange/surface modification of wet gels from waterglass using IPA/TMCS/n-Hexane solution. The densities, porosities, and specific surface areas of the aerogel were in the range of 0.128–0.153 g/cm3, 93–95%, and 598–795 m2/g, respectively. Aerogel-PVB composites were manufactured by hot pressing. Aerogels were crushed and mixed with PVB. Three mixing methods were performed. The aerogel-PVB composites had densities of 0.19–1.09 g/cm3, and thermal conductivities of 0.03–0.12 W/(m · K). Density and thermal conductivity can be controlled by aerogel volume fraction and the mixing method. The modulus of rupture of aerogel-PVB composites was in the range of 0.15–46.5 MPa.