The dual effect of zirconia fiber on the insulation and mechanical performance of the fumed silica-based thermal insulation material

Inorganic fibers and opacifiers are indispensable for improving the strength and high temperature insulation performance of the fumed silica-based thermal insulation material. However, zirconia fiber enhances the strength of the fumed silica-based thermal insulation material and reduces the radiative heat transfer to replace the opacifier. The sample of fumed SiO2/Al2O3 doped with 7% zirconia fiber (FZ7) has a lower density of 0.70 g/cm(3) and a high porosity of 75.0%. In addition, the thermal conductivity of FZ7 at 800 degrees C is 0.077 W/(m.k), which is lower than the sample of fumed SiO2/Al2O3 doped with 7% glass fiber (FG7) and 0.089 W/(m.K) at 800 degrees C. The effective extinction coefficient of the thermal insulation material containing zirconia fiber is larger than that of the glass fiber by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and calculation, indicating that the zirconia fiber has a distinct absorption and scattering effect on infrared radiation to reduce the radiative heat transfer. Therefore, zirconia fiber enhances the strength and decreases the high temperature thermal conductivity of the composites with the dual effect on the insulation and mechanical performance of the fumed silica-based thermal insulation material.