MICROPOROUS

FUMED SILICA BASED

INSULATION MATERIALS

The Advantages of Unicorn microporous insulation solutions

Microporous insulation materials are the first choice for high temperature insulation applications. When using this product a high thermal insulation performance will be achieved, along with simultaneously low insulation thickness. In this way this synthesis guarantees a technologically sophisticated insulation and a high economic efficiency.
The panels are non-flammable and conform to the requirements of fire resistance ‘Grade A’.

Lowest thermal conductivity

The outstanding insulation effect and the low space requirement of the insulation are due to the extremely low thermal conductivity of the microporous material. Owing to their microporous structure and the existence of opacifiers, all three components of heat transmission – conduction, convection and radiation – are optimized to the physical limit under atmospheric pressure.

The low material conduction arises from the very small silica particle agglomerates of approximately 10 nm which only have a single point to touch each other. The pores in which the gas molecules could transfer their energy to the next molecule are smaller than the necessary free path length of the gas. As an effect the convection is limited to a minimum. The specified minerals cause the infrared radiation to be limited.

Versatile and easy workability

The product can be processed by using standard woodworking tools and machines. It can be cut, sawed or even milled. As a result the insulation panels are quick and easy to handle even in demanding installation contexts.

Microporous insulation panels are characterized by a high temperature resistance of up to 1200 °C (2192 °F). In particular at high temperatures the products far exceed the insulating effect of alternative insulation materials. The low rising of the thermal conductivity with temperature increase and the minimal shrinkage at maximum temperature is also advantageous.
The microporous material is thermal shock resistant. It tolerates fast heating and cooling cycles for a long duration of time.

Advantages compared to conventional materials

The following advantages arise from the use of microporous insulating products in comparison to conventional materials.

  • space saving

    Much thinner layer under the same insulation requirements.

  • energy saving

    Better energy efficiency at the same space requirements.

  • greater application volume capacity

    Greater processing volume capacity at same space requirements and same energy saving level.

Features & benefits

Feature

  • Lowest thermal conductivity

  • Temperature resistance of up to 1200°C

  • Variable characteristics, thicknesses and formats of insulation available

  • Versatile and easy workability, high flexural strength

  • Non hazardous material

Benefit

  • Low space requirement of the insulation; helps systems builders to provide competitive; “green” products; helps end-users to reduce their energy bill

  • Suitable for a large variety of applications

  • Suitable for a broad range of applications such as high temperature insulations or VIP cores, quick and easy installation

  • Meets requirements of demanding application contexts

  • Save handling for staff; protects health; recyclable

Product Family overview

Second to none: Unicorn microporous insulation panels

The Unicorn insulating panels are provided variety of dimensions. The required length and width of the panel can be chosen more or less without restriction. Thicknesses of insulation panels from 3 mm up to 50 mm and various formats (standard trimmed panel: 1000 mm x 600 mm) are ready.

Flexible panels are also available. these panels can be bent in order to insulate curved shapes.

Customized pressing molds deliver exactly the required dimensions in an application and reduce the cutting waste to a minimum. Using a customized press mold amounts in a considerable economical advantage for large order volumes.

Machined high temperature microporous parts

Unicorn provides accurately premachined microporous insulation components with excellent thermal and mechanical properties. They are available with various shapes and coverings, for incorporation into demanding products and assemblies.

Unicorn machined parts are 100% tailor made: from the selection of the raw materials right through the finished shape. We use finest silica as main component for our products. To push the limits towards 1200 °C we use alumina as base material.

Efficient and flexible: Unicorn microporous pipe insulations – groovy solution

Unicorn groovy technology is specially developed for applications in pipe insulation, pipe in pipe systems and big diameter applications.

It offers a compact and efficient solution for thermal insulation due to its lightweight properties and significant reduction in thickness. It is supplied as one-piece or more sections, depending on the pipe diameter.

Packed in a PE bag where a vacuum is applied, this product is protected from the harshest environment conditions and ensures the fastest possible installation along a pipeline. This process also offers the possibility to virtually eliminate the introduction of moisture into a closed system to prevent condensation and corrosion under insulation.

Efficient and flexible: Unicorn microporous mat insulations solution

Unicorn sflex is a 3D flexible and low thermal conductivity solution for customers to achieve highly efficient for difficult insulation tasks. The homogeneous microporous core is covered with an outer envelope which we provide in several choices of glass fabric to enable fast and clean installation. The stitched grid guarantees the necessary flexibility and twisting properties.

By Unicorn professional processing, the sflex products allow tighter sealing joints from one panel to another, reducing thermal bridges and consequent heat loss with minimizing the gaps.

Long lasting: Unicorn microporous VIP core material

Typical applications for VIPs are building insulations with zero energy or plus energy houses, the cool boxes used in pharmaceutical, biotechnological and medical industry, the latest generation refrigerators and various applications within the cool-chain logistics segment. The latter could be cool car insulation or cool houses. In using Unicorn core material, the Vacuum Insulation Panel (VIP) manufacturer benefits from a list of important features typical of the microporous insulation material.

Being the longest lasting among the core materials is a decisive assets of the microporous material. VIPs manufactured with silica cores can attain a service time of fifty years and more.

Providing best in class stability makes the panels quick and easy to handle and reduces the damage loss to a minimum. As a result the VIP manufacturer attains the best insulation result of the VIP core.

Extraordinary thin panels are available in a thickness to as little as 3 mm. This grants the VIP manufacturer flexibility in the VIP design.

Wide customization of the panels ensures the optimum solution in differing contexts. The design of a customized mold reduces the cutting waste.

Excellent thermal insulation is provided by the Unicorn core itself, even when the vacuum no longer exists.

In the case of such a critical condition of a VIP the very low increase of volume compared to other core materials is essential.

Absolutely non-hazardous material offers three benefits. The REACH regulation is met, the disposal costs at the end of the duration of use are low and handling the material is in no way detrimental to health.

Broad variety of options

The use of a lamination enhances the performance of the insulation panel in two ways. It minimizes dust when handling the insulation material and reduces the risk of damage during installation, as the lamination provides an additional reinforcement

As an option the panels can be packed in POF shrink foil. Alternatively they can be laminated or wrapped with aluminum or glass fabric cloth.

For the VIP core, we offer from raw to “ready to use”, later is cut to the right dimension and wrapped into a non-woven fabric.

The user-friendly cutting service for panels and VIP cores allows a maximum of flexibility to ensure a fast and efficient installation. The service also avoids cutting damage at the customers site and reduces disposal costs.

Ecologically effective throughout the entire life span

All Unicorn insulating materials are free of organic binding agents. They consist of silica (silicon oxide), an inorganic opacifying agent and non-hazardous fibres which are resistant to high temperatures. These inherently stable products are long-lasting, do not rot, are vermin resistant and easy to recycle.

For these reasons the products are convincing economically as well as ecologically.