Source code for RCAIDE.Library.Attributes.Materials.Aerogel
# RCAIDE/Library/Attributes/Solids/Aerogel.py
#
# Created: Aug 2025, S. Shekar
#
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Imports
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
from RCAIDE.Framework.Core import Units
from .Solid import Solid
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# Aerogel Material
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[docs]
class Aerogel(Solid):
"""
A class representing aerogel material properties for aerospace thermal
protection and insulation applications.
Attributes
----------
density : float
Material density in kg/m³ (130).
thermal_conductivity : float
Heat conduction coefficient in W/(m·K) (0.0113).
Notes
-----
Aerogels are ultra-lightweight materials with extremely low density and
thermal conductivity, making them suitable for thermal insulation in
aerospace applications such as cryogenic fuel tanks, battery protection,
and thermal protection systems. However, their mechanical strength is
limited, so structural usage is not recommended.
**Definitions**
'Aerogel'
A class of synthetic porous ultralight materials derived from a gel,
where the liquid component is replaced with a gas.
'Thermal Conductivity'
The property of a material to conduct heat, measured in watts per
meter-kelvin.
"""
def __defaults__(self):
"""
Set default material properties at instantiation.
Parameters
----------
None
Returns
-------
None
Notes
-----
* Assumes silica aerogel with typical bulk density and conductivity.
* Mechanical strength values are not set due to brittleness of aerogels.
"""
self.density = 130 * Units['kg/(m**3)']
self.thermal_conductivity = 0.0113
