ArmaGel® Aerogel Insulation Systems
Engineered Solutions for High-Temperature, Cryogenic, and Dual-Temperature Industrial Applications
Industrial insulation selection is no longer a single-variable thermal conductivity decision. Modern systems demand performance across multiple risk dimensions:
- Corrosion under insulation (CUI)
- Vapor drive and condensation control
- Thermal cycling fatigue
- Cryogenic contraction
- Fire classification compliance
- Structural load and thickness constraints
- Lifecycle reliability and downtime economics
The ArmaGel® family of aerogel insulation systems addresses these challenges through five purpose-built platforms:
- ArmaGel® HTL – Non-combustible high-temperature insulation
- ArmaGel® HT – High-efficiency high-temperature insulation
- ArmaGel® DT – Dual-temperature cyclic systems
- ArmaGel® XGC – Cryogenic and extended dual-temperature systems
- ArmaGel® Rail – Rail fire-compliant insulation systems
Each product is engineered for a defined operating envelope while maintaining core aerogel performance advantages: ultra-low thermal conductivity, hydrophobic structure, reduced thickness, and flexible installation.
Why Aerogel Insulation in Advanced Industrial Systems?
Aerogel insulation offers significantly lower thermal conductivity than conventional mineral wool, PIR, or cellular glass systems. For high-level system design, this translates into measurable engineering impacts:
Reduced Thickness at Equivalent Thermal Performance
- Lower structural loading
- Reduced jacketing and support complexity
- Improved maintainability
- Increased inspection accessibility
Hydrophobic Structure for CUI Mitigation
Water retention drives corrosion under insulation. ArmaGel materials repel liquid water while maintaining performance stability.
Improved Lifecycle Economics
Thinner systems, simplified installation, and easier maintenance removal reduce total cost of ownership — particularly in high-downtime-cost environments.
The ArmaGel® Portfolio by Thermal Regime
ArmaGel® HTL
High-Temperature Non-Combustible Insulation (Up to 650°C)
Designed for sustained elevated temperature applications requiring non-combustible classification and corrosion mitigation.
Engineering Use Cases:
- Refinery piping and vessels
- Petrochemical processing units
- Power generation equipment
- Fire-critical industrial environments
HTL is selected when fire classification and thermal stability are primary specification constraints.
ArmaGel® HT
High-Temperature Thermal Efficiency with Reduced Thickness
Optimized for industrial systems requiring reduced insulation thickness at elevated temperatures up to 650°C.
Typical Applications:
- Offshore and onshore oil & gas
- Process facilities
- Industrial pipework
- Acoustic industrial systems
HT enables equivalent thermal performance at significantly reduced thickness compared to traditional high-temperature systems.
ArmaGel® DT
Dual-Temperature Insulation for Cyclic Operating Environments
Engineered specifically for systems that cycle above and below ambient temperature.
Designed to Address:
- Thermal expansion/contraction fatigue
- Intermittent condensation formation
- Process variability
- CUI risk in cycling environments
Common Applications:
- Batch processing systems
- Intermittently heated or cooled piping
- Facilities with seasonal operating shifts
- Mixed-temperature process lines
DT maintains dimensional and thermal stability across repeated thermal transitions — where traditional materials may degrade.
ArmaGel® XGC
Cryogenic and Extended Dual-Temperature Insulation (-180°C to +250°C)
Developed for LNG, industrial gas, and extreme low-temperature systems.
Engineering Characteristics:
- Service temperature range from -180°C to +250°C
- Integrated zero-perm vapor barrier
- Flexibility at cryogenic temperatures
- Ultra-thin system profile
Industries:
- LNG terminals
- Cryogenic storage and transfer
- Offshore platforms
- Gas processing plants
XGC addresses vapor ingress, condensation control, and dimensional stability under extreme cold service.
ArmaGel® Rail
Rail-Compliant Aerogel Insulation
Designed for rolling stock where fire compliance, space constraints, and weight targets are critical.
Key Attributes:
- EN45545 HL3 compliant
- Integrated vapor barrier
- Enhanced acoustic performance
- Minimal thickness profile
Rail insulation must balance fire safety, passenger comfort, and structural efficiency — ArmaGel Rail is engineered for this environment.
Specifying ArmaGel®: A Performance-Based Selection Framework
Insulation should be specified based on system behavior and risk exposure, not solely on temperature rating.
The following framework aligns insulation selection with engineering priorities.
- Define the Thermal Operating Envelope
Sustained Elevated Temperature (Up to 650°C)
If the system operates continuously at high temperature and requires:
-
- Long-term thermal stability
- Fire classification compliance
- CUI mitigation
- Reduced system thickness
Specification Guidance:
-
- Select ArmaGel® HTL where non-combustibility is required.
- Select ArmaGel® HT where thickness reduction and high-efficiency thermal performance are primary drivers.
Cryogenic or Sub-Zero Service
If the system includes:
-
- LNG or industrial gas service
- Cryogenic storage or transfer
- High vapor drive conditions
- Requirement for integrated vapor control
Specification Guidance:
-
- Select ArmaGel® XGC, particularly where a zero-perm vapor barrier is required.
This mitigates moisture ingress, ice formation, and accelerated corrosion.
Dual-Temperature or Cyclic Systems
For systems that:
-
- Cycle above and below ambient
- Experience intermittent heating or cooling
- Present shutdown condensation risk
- Operate under batch or seasonal profiles
Primary concerns include:
-
- Thermal fatigue
- Dimensional stability
- Condensation control
- Long-term CUI risk
Specification Guidance:
-
- Select ArmaGel® DT, engineered for repeated thermal cycling.
- Evaluate Vapor Drive and Moisture Exposure
-
- Cryogenic service → Integrated vapor barrier required → XGC
- Rail applications → Integrated vapor barrier required → Rail
- Cyclic industrial systems → Moisture-resistant structure → DT
- Elevated temperature systems → Hydrophobic protection sufficient → HTL / HT
- Assess Fire and Regulatory Requirements
-
- Non-combustible requirement → HTL
- Industrial fire-classified systems → HT / DT
- Rail EN45545 HL3 → Rail
- Consider Structural and Thickness Constraints
Where insulation thickness impacts:
-
- Support spacing
- Jacketing complexity
- Retrofit clearance
- Structural load
Aerogel-based systems provide reduced profile solutions:
-
- High-temp thickness reduction → HT
- Cryogenic thickness reduction → XGC
- Rail weight optimization → Rail
- Incorporate Lifecycle Risk Assessment
Specification decisions should include:
-
- Maintenance removal complexity
- Inspection accessibility
- Downtime cost exposure
- Long-term corrosion mitigation
- System reliability under cycling
ArmaGel systems are often selected where shutdown cost and corrosion remediation risk are high.
Comparative Engineering Overview
| Design Parameter | HTL | HT | DT | XGC | Rail |
| Max Temperature | 650°C | 650°C | Elevated & cycling | +250°C | 110°C |
| Minimum Temperature | Ambient+ | Ambient+ | Below ambient capable | -180°C | Ambient |
| Cryogenic Rated | No | No | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-Temperature Cycling | Limited | Limited | Primary Design | Yes | Limited |
| Vapor Barrier Integrated | No | No | Moisture-resistant | Yes (Zero-perm) | Yes |
| Hydrophobic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Non-Combustible Option | Yes | Fire classified | Industrial compliant | Industrial compliant | EN45545 HL3 |
| Primary Industries | Refining | Oil & Gas | Process Manufacturing | LNG & Gas | Rail OEM |
Engineering Conclusion
Insulation is a system decision — not a material decision.
The ArmaGel® portfolio enables engineers to align insulation selection with:
- Operating envelope
- Vapor drive conditions
- Cycling frequency
- Regulatory compliance
- Structural constraints
- Lifecycle reliability
Across sustained high heat, cryogenic service, or cyclic thermal environments, ArmaGel® provides technically robust, performance-driven insulation solutions designed for modern industrial complexity.
About H-O Products
Our engineered products – including foam, rubber, polymeric and composite tapes, pads and gaskets – offering reliable sealing, cushioning, mounting and assembly in harsh environments, while minimizing downtime and maintenance costs. From prototype through final product, our customers can be confident in performance, reliability, and the continued support of our expert team. Learn more about H-O Products and how we can give your company a competitive edge in today’s global marketplace.