Anisotropic fibrous thermal insulator of relatively thick cross section and method for making same
- Clinton, TN
- Oak Ridge, TN
The present invention is directed to an anisotropic thermal insulator formed of carbon-bonded organic or inorganic fibers and having a thickness or cross section greater than about 3 centimeters. Delaminations and deleterious internal stresses generated during binder curing and carbonizing operations employed in the fabrication of thick fibrous insulation of thicknesses greater than 3 centimeters are essentially obviated by the method of the present invention. A slurry of fibers, thermosetting resin binder and water is vacuum molded into the selected insulator configuration with the total thickness of the molded slurry being less than about 3 centimeters, the binder is thermoset to join the fibers together at their nexaes, and then the binder is carbonized to form the carbon bond. A second slurry of the fibers, binder and water is then applied over the carbonized body with the vacuum molding, binder thermosetting and carbonizing steps being repeated to form a layered insulator with the binder providing a carbon bond between the layers. The molding, thermosetting and carbonizing steps may be repeated with additional slurries until the thermal insulator is of the desired final thickness. An additional feature of the present invention is provided by incorporating opacifying materials in any of the desired layers so as to provide different insulating properties at various temperatures. Concentration and/or type of additive can be varied from layer-to-layer.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4152482
- OSTI ID:
- 863346
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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