Don't Get Burned by Cheap Aerogel Insulation Blankets: How to Spot the Real Deal

Raj Arya
Jul 27
3 min read

Cheap Aerogel Insulation Blankets. Silica aerogel has long been hailed as a wonder material for its incredible insulation properties. However, a recent surge of ultra-low-priced aerogel blankets from some Chinese vendors – with prices slashed by more than 50% from $24/M2 to $12/M2 for 10mm thick sheets – is raising some serious eyebrows in the industry. How is such a drastic price drop possible when the cost of silica aerogel powder remains relatively stable?

The truth is, not all aerogels are created equal. This significant price difference often points to compromises in quality, blending, reinforcement, and the type of fibers used in the manufacturing process. And while these cheaper blankets might offer decent performance within a very narrow temperature range (say, 2°C to 80°C), their limitations become starkly apparent as temperatures rise.

Don't Get Burned by Cheap Aerogel Insulation Blankets: How to Spot the Real Deal

The Hidden Cost of Cheap Aerogel Insulation Blankets

Imagine investing in a premium insulation material only to find it performs no better than conventional, far cheaper options like mineral wool or ceramic felts at elevated temperatures. This is precisely what can happen with low-grade aerogel blankets. As the temperature climbs, the poorly reinforced, cheap quality fibers and lower-grade aerogel in these budget options lead to heat losses that are alarmingly similar to those of much less expensive alternatives.

This can be incredibly frustrating and leads to a common misconception: "Why bother spending so much on aerogel when I can get the same performance from mineral wool or ceramic felts at 5 to 6 times lower prices?" The answer is, you shouldn't waste your money on cheap aerogels that don't deliver. In such cases, it's genuinely better to stick with tried-and-true mineral wool or ceramic felts.

Wedge India's Eye-Opening Tests

At Wedge India, we've taken the initiative to put various aerogel sheets to the test. Our in-house facilities have evaluated over 12 different aerogel blankets from various vendors, and the results have been nothing short of "crazy." Some of these so-called aerogel blankets performed even worse than ceramic papers – a truly shocking revelation given the perceived superiority of aerogel.

How to Ensure You're Getting Quality Aerogel

So, how can you protect yourself from falling victim to subpar aerogel blankets and ensure you're making a worthwhile investment? The key lies in rigorous testing and transparent data.

To accurately assess the quality of aerogel blankets, always demand a 3rd-party test report that includes:

Temperature Performance and Thermal Conductivity Test Results: This is crucial. Insist on data for a minimum of five different temperatures:
- 25°C
- 100°C
- 200°C
- 300°C
- 400°C
Temperature Curves: Once you have the thermal conductivity data at various temperatures, plot these points to create a temperature curve. This curve will visually demonstrate the stability and consistent performance of the aerogel across different temperature ranges. A steep increase in thermal conductivity at higher temperatures indicates poor performance.

By comparing these curves from different vendors, you can easily identify which aerogel blankets maintain their superior insulation properties even as the heat intensifies.

Need Help? Wedge India Can Assist

Understanding and interpreting these technical reports can be challenging. If you need assistance in getting the right quality of aerogel blankets tested or analyzing the results, Wedge India has developed in-house test facilities at our Faridabad factory in India. We can help you get your aerogel samples tested and provide you with the data you need to make informed decisions.

Don't let misleadingly low prices lure you into a false sense of economy. When it comes to aerogel, quality truly matters, especially when operating outside of very narrow temperature windows. Invest wisely, demand evidence, and ensure your insulation truly performs as expected.

Final Word: Don’t Fall for Just a Low Price

Silica Aerogel is a premium material for critical insulation needs. If you compromise on quality, you compromise your entire thermal management system.

💡 If the performance is similar to mineral wool, then you might as well just use mineral wool — at one-fifth the price.

Choose wisely. Buy tested. And if in doubt — get it tested at Wedge India.