Technology Commercialization Opportunity

Composite Flexible Blanket Insulation

A new and improved composite flexible blanket insulation (CBFI) has been developed at NASA Ames that is useful as a thermal protection system for specific heating environments which contain conductive convective, and radiative heating components. The CFBI provides an improved lightweight insulation which is extremely effective in terms of thermal protection of structures subjected singly or repeatedly to high heat fluxes.

The blanket has high emissivity and resistance to a high heat flux and thermal insulation capability up to 1400 degrees C (2550 degress F). By combining fabrics and sewing threads having a resistance to high heat flux and high emissivity with high break strength and a low density, lightweight CFBI can be designed to have commercially viable thermal insulation capability from 500 degrees C (920 degrees F) to 1400 degrees C (2550 degrees F). It provides flexible, durable, lightweight, high-temperature resistant insulation suitable for repeated use.

Potential Commercial Uses

• Manufacture of firefighter suits, tools, and equipment.
  
• Fire shelters for smoke jumpers and front line firefighters.
  
• Firewall material for auto, boat, and airplane engine casings, exhaust manifolds, and catalytic converters. Would also provide additional acoustic insulation for quieter engine performance.
  
• Firewall material placed between adjoined housing units or throughout building structures to prevent fire from spreading, and to provide additional thermal and acoustic insulation.
  
• Use in the metal smelting industry as a splash wall, thermal protection, and acoustic insulation material.
  
• Insulation material for furnaces, ovens and other extreme temperature environments.

Benefits

• Protection capabilities: The new CFBI has an effective lower thermal conductivity and lower thermal diffusivity than state-of-the-art insulation and thus is better able to protect attached substructures from reaching a critical temperature.
  
• Better performance by weight: Pound for pound, the thermal protection blanket performs better than current thermal protection materials used for similar applications.
  
• Can be waterproofed: The CFBI can easily and effectively be made waterproof.
  
• Advanced sewing thread: A new sewing thread has the capability of being machine-sewn into a quilted blanket, is able to survive high heating loads without any substantial damage, and does not break, kink, snarl, double, or twist.
  
• Affordable to produce: The blanket is constructed of common materials with no rare, expensive elements that would make the cost of manufacture high.

.

Options for Commercialization

NASA Ames is currently seeking partnerships with industry to further develop Composite Flexible Blanket Insulation capabilities while continuing to lower the cost. Licensing options are also available for the manufacture and distribution of this material. Composite Flexible Blanket Insulation, developed by Demetrius A. Kourtides and David M. Lowe, was issued U.S. Patent # 5,277,959 on January 11, 1994, which is assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C.

Contact

Thermal Protection Branch
Mail Stop 234-1
NASA Ames Research Center
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000
Phone: (415)-604-4784

http://ctoserver.arc.nasa.gov:80/TechOpps/blanket.html

Key Words

Composite Flexible Blanket Insulation (CFBI), Fire Fighting Equipment, Heat Resistant Sewing Thread, High Temperature Insulation, Protective Ceramic Coating. (PCC)