The
most comon use of NanoPore™ Thermal Insulation is in the form of a vacuum insulation panel or VIP.
VIPs are made by sealing the thermal insulation in a barrier film under vacuum. The barrier film is formed into a pouch which
the panel insert is put inside before the unit is evacuated and heat sealed. The sealed edges of the barrier film creates a
flap of film which extends out from the edges of the panel which can be folded and taped against the panel in use.
NanoPore employs a variety of barrier films depending on the cost, temperature, and lifetime requirements of the customer.
The barrier film most often used is a three-layer laminate with aluminum metalization on two of the layers to enhance barrier
performance. Because the metalization layer is so thin there are no significant edge effects caused by conduction along the
film of the kind that can occur in foil type barrier films. Due to the moderate (<5 mbar) vacuum levels required for optimum
performance of NanoPore™ VIPs, barrier film with higher permeability values than those commonly used in foam based VIPs can be
used to achieve the same lifetime. Depending on the variety of barrier film used and the application, VIP lifetimes can be from
several months to over 20 years.
 NanoPore's VIP thickness can range from slightly over 1/16” (2mm) to over 1 ½” (40mm), and individual panel size from less
than 1” (25mm) square to a maximum size of 22” (560mm) x 28” (711mm) can be made. Larger areas can be covered by tiling individual panels
together to cover the surface. Custom sizes and complex shapes are made possible by a combination of pre-shaping the insert before
evacuation and tiling of finished panels. Although it is not currently possible to achieve pass-throughs or inside corner cut-outs
in our VIPs, the necessary shape can usually be achieved by using a combination of panels instead of a single piece. For cylindrical
applications like tubing or pipes, NanoPore™ VIPs can often be formed to the required shape through a number
of techniques.
NanoPore's standard VIPs, made from a NanoPore HP-150 core, can operate in a temperature range from below 330°F (<-200°C) to 250°F
(120°C), the maximum continuous working temperature of the barrier film. For higher temperature applications, custom vacuum enclosures,
made from metal or another impermeable skin, may be used to house the core material.
Furtner information on some of the uses of NanoPore™ VIPs can be found on our applications page.
For applications where a VIP cannot be used (such as high temperature applications) NanoPore has experience working with customers
to design, and if needed, build custom containment for the insulation.
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