Technical Bulletin 0116 Insulation Performance at Cryogenic Temperatures

Dyplast's latest Technical Bulletin offers insight into insulation performance at cryogenic temperatures. Since insulation performance in cryogenic applications, although not theoretical physics, is indeed a complex subject, the approach in this article is somewhat along the lines of gedankenexperiment. In other words, the objective is to logically examine the complex issues that surround  insulant performance at cryogenic temperatures - - a different approach than simply examining and comparing numbers advertised in datasheets, particularly those measured under ambient conditions with the hope or trust that they accurately represent insulant performance at -265ºF (-165ºC).

The above chart suggests that polyiso and aerogel insulants achieve materially better k-factors than either cellular glass or elastomeric insulants. So why not logically exclude the latter from future projects, especially since earlier paragraphs in this article offered that thermal insulation's ultimate objective is to "insulate". Wouldn't logical thinking conclude that thermal conductivity "k-factor" is the paramount indicator.

Get ready for a somewhat mind-bending ride if you desire to better parse the world of cryogenic insulation. As Elon Musk (re: Tesla, SolarCity, and Space-X) is fond of saying, if your brain does not hurt at the end of every day, you're not doing your job!