A heat-insulation sheet includes a first silica xerogel layer, a second silica xerogel layer, and a composite layer. The first silica xerogel layer includes a first silica xerogel, and the second silica xerogel layer includes a second silica xerogel. The composite layer is located between the first silica xerogel layer and the second silica xerogel layer, and includes at least one type of unwoven fabric fibers, and a third silica xerogel. The third silica xerogel is located in a spatial volume of the unwoven fabric fibers.

An article includes a laminate material with an aerogel layer and a polysiloxane layer distinct from the aerogel layer and in contact with the aerogel layer either directly or through an adhesive that is in direct contact with both the aerogel layer and the polysiloxane layer; where the polysiloxane layer comprises a polysiloxane and greater than 5 weight-percent and 95 weight-percent or less based on polysiloxane layer weight of fire retarding additives selected from a group consisting of metal hydroxides, mixed metal hydroxides, hydrated metal salts, and any combinations thereof dispersed throughout the polysiloxane layer.

An insulating material is used that contains a silica xerogel, and a nonwoven fabric fiber capable of generating carbon dioxide by reacting with atmospheric oxygen at a temperature of 300 C. or more. The insulating material uses oxidized acrylic as the nonwoven fabric fiber. A device uses the insulating material installed as a part of a heat insulating or a cold insulating structure, or installed between a heat-generating part and a casing.

A heat insulating sheet includes, a first sheet, a first heat insulator disposed on a main surface of the first sheet and including a first xerogel, a second heat insulator disposed on the main surface of the first sheet apart from the first heat insulator and including a second xerogel, and a second sheet disposed on the main surface of the first sheet to cover the first and second heat insulators. A first region of the heat insulating sheet provided between the first and second heat insulators viewing in a direction perpendicular to the main surface has an extensible rate larger than an extensible rate of each of the first and second heat insulators. The heat insulating property of this heat insulating sheet hardly degrades.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite element comprising a single- or multi-part core and an envelope which are in a force fit combination with each other, at least comprising providing a single- or multi-part core of an evacuable organic material; at least partly enveloping the core with an envelope to obtain a composite element precursor; and treating the composite element precursor for a period leading to an at least partial softening of the evacuable organic material and of the envelope surface apposing the core. The present invention further relates to composite elements obtained or obtainable by a method of the present invention and also to the method of using a composite element of the present invention as a vacuum insulation panel or as a thermal insulation material.

An article includes a laminate material with an aerogel layer and a polysiloxane layer distinct from the aerogel layer and in contact with the aerogel layer either directly or through an adhesive that is in direct contact with both the aerogel layer and the polysiloxane layer; where the polysiloxane layer comprises a polysiloxane and greater than 5 weight-percent and 95 weight-percent or less based on polysiloxane layer weight of fire retarding additives selected from a group consisting of metal hydroxides, mixed metal hydroxides, hydrated metal salts, and any combinations thereof dispersed throughout the polysiloxane layer.