xerogel

I JUST CAME ACROSS THIS ARTICLE, CAN’T BELIEVE I MISSED IT.

“May 10, 2021

ST. PAUL, Minn. — May 10, 2021 — As part of its growing textile insulation portfolio, 3M announced it will launch a new xerogel technology insulation in the coming months. Comprised of 60% post-consumer recycled material, the new 3M™ Thinsulate™ Xerogel Insulation also showcases 3M’s ongoing commitment to developing sustainable textile solutions. Notable features for 3M™ Thinsulate™ Xerogel Insulation include its:

Warmth under compression

Lightweight construction

Breathability

60% post-consumer recycled content

Ease of application at mills.

Being more than 99% air, xerogel is a highly porous structure that can actually inhibit air circulation, making it an excellent thermal insulator. In order to apply this innovative material to apparel, 3M’s in-house researchers and engineers have developed a new formulation and composite that takes it a step further.”

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3-M has probably copied their arc rival primaloft who also has incorporated the aerogel into their polyester to offer their newest and greatest form of non-insulation which they call “primaloft gold aerogel”. Just another in a long line of non-insulations insulations that they sell under different names but if you see and feel them, they all are the same. The common denominator is that they all work well when the jackets are worn in Key West Florida.

Now 3-m is infusing [I read that in another article seen on the internet researching 3-m’s use].

I also learned they are marketing this non-product to footwear and glove manufacturers. The xerogel as the call it is a non-entity in the world of insulation for wearing apparel.

3-m markets melt-blown polypropylene mixed with polyester or just plain. They have from what I learned about a dozen items now I think including the xerogel.

When the aerogel is infused with the polyester all of the 99% air disappears. No different than the primaloft aerogel product.

3-m is putting in footwear where all previous products have failed to keep people’s feet warm and this product will not change that. They also are putting it in gloves, and that will not make gloves warm either.

As I see it, we have one company that does billions of dollars and another that does hundreds of millions of dollars who have people working for them who are ambitious and will jump on any band wagon that will further their career because they are helping the company make money at the expense of putting bogus non-performing materials on the market.