Lightweight, opacified, glass fiber batting for high temperature insulation in cryogenic tanks has lower apparent thermal conductivity than untreated insulations. Decrease results from impeding the transmission of radiant energy without increasing the solid conductance of the material

Chambellan, R. E.

Mcgrew, J. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Cold Side Temperature, 70° F 
------'	 Glass-Fiber Insulation Plus 
Aluminum-Resin Coating 
November 1971
	 Brief 71-10406 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Lewis Research Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the. Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, Df. 20546. 
Opacified Fibrous Thermal Insulation 
n
A lightweight, opacified, glass fiber batting for 
high temperature insulation in cryogenic tanks has 
a lower apparent thermal conductivity than un-
treated glass fiber insulations. The reduction can be 
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Hot-Side Temperature, OF 
threefold or more, at a temperature difference of 
600° F or greater between the outer insulation faces. 
The decrease results from impeding the transmission 
of radiant energy without increasing the solid con-
ductance of the material. When large temperature. 
differences exist between the outer insulation 
faces, such radiant energy represents a large por-
tion of the total energy transferred. 
The glass fiber batting is opacified with an 
aluminum powder dispersed through the material.
The powder dispersion method was previously pro-
posed for increasing the thermal reflectivity of 
fabrics, but prior applications to glass fibers for 
high temperature insulations were not known. 
Test results for a 0.6 lb/ft 3 glass fiber batting 
were as shown in the figure, with the hot-side 
temperature given on the abscissa. The cold side 
was, exposed to quiet, room-temperature air. The 
glass fiber batting was composed of 0.004 in. 
diameter fibers, which were simultaneously coated 
with a silicone resin and aluminum powder and 
were then compacted to the desired density. 
An alternative opacification method would in-
volve electroless plating of the fibers in the already 
formed batting. 
Note: 
No additional documentation is available. Tech-
nical questions, however, may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Lewis Research Center 
21000 Brookpark Road 
Cleveland, Ohio 44135 
Reference: B71-10406 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: R. E. Chambellan of

Lewis Research Center, and

Dr. J. L. McGrew of

Martin Marietta Corp.

under contract to

Lewis Research Center

(1,1W-I 1235) 
Category 03 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710000403 2020-03-17T02:30:01+00:00Z


Opacified fibrous thermal insulation

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