Cryogenic Insulation Materials
Cryogenic insulation materials are designed to thrive in extreme cold, provide thermal insulation, and support superior mechanical strength.
Proven in long-term applications.
Norplex-Micarta cryogenic insulation materials are engineered and produced specifically for extreme cold temperature applications in the energy, aerospace, medical and scientific devices, and heavy industry.
NP500CR, a specially formulated glass-epoxy sheet material, is preferred when the needs for superior thermal insulation and structural support converge with cryogenic temperatures. Due to its low moisture absorption, NP500CR can tolerate cycling between low and high temperatures better than many alternatives. Applications range from LNG pipe systems, land, over the road, and ship bunkering tanks to superconducting magnets and fusion reactor insulation.
Utilized in critical space applications, data developed by NASA and NIST are available for out-gassing, thermal conductivity, and other aspects important to designers.
Recently, NP500CR has been specified with various cover materials ranging from virgin PTFE and glass-filled PTFE to suit sliding and wear applications at cryogenic temperatures.
RT521M, also a glass-epoxy material, is a cryogenic rated tube that is found in various medical and scientific devices, as well as various industrial applications for cryogenic storage.
MC330, a cotton-phenolic sheet grade, is a cryogenic material that is designed for use in applications where the abrasiveness or hardness of glass reinforced materials is a concern to designers.
Case Study: Cryogenic Composite Beats Stainless Steel
Cryogenic Rated Composite Material Significantly Improves Functionality of Liquid Air Life Support SystemNP500CR and RT521M
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been developing the next generation of life support systems in conjunction with CryoLife Support Systems (CLSS) in Titusville, FL. This improved design by CLSS features a novel pickup of the liquid air that allows air to be supplied even when the pack is 90° off vertical. This feature greatly increases the safety and functionality of this system for terrestrial applications such as firefighting and other first responders.
Featured Materials
RT521M
Medium weight glass fabric with epoxy resin system. RT521M combines excellent electrical characteristics with superior physical properties. Electrical properties maintained in high humidity conditions.
RT521M is not flame resistant. Material has been designed and produced for use in cryogenic applications.
A Norplex-Micarta Innovation
Sometimes, a specific application requires a new approach. Norplex-Micarta’s engineers worked with a customer who needed an extremely low permeability in a cryogenic tube. How could this be achieved?
After consultation, a material was found that had essentially zero permeability, but it was a thermal conductor. So, to take a multi-material approach, Norplex-Micarta found a process innovation that allowed this material to be sandwiched in the middle of the tube.
The resulting tube now has low thermal conductivity, excellent strength and toughness, and has essentially zero permeability.