Variloft - Adaptive Thermal Insulation

Variloft Technology

The VARILOFT thermal protection system combines thermally reactive bi-component structural fibers with thin staple fibers to produce a thermal protection batting that changes thickness based on environmental conditions. The concept optimizes the cross-sectional shape, material pairings, and processing of bi-component fibers and fiber layouts to take advantage of the effects of differential coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE). A helically twisting bi-component fiber is envisaged that transitions into a three-dimensional shape from the baseline to produce the desired variable loft. Increased thermal differentials will cause the fiber to "cork" forming a three-dimensional structure that enhances loft. With the correct design, the network of structural and thermally efficient fibers will produce a self-regulating fabric that gradually transitions from a flat, low loft, low thermal resistance configuration to a sufficiently high loft, high thermal resistance configuration. The overall thickness of the fabric changes when insulation made of the bi-component fiber is exposed to different ambient temperatures.

The composition of the batting will incorporate both non-reactive fibers blended with active bi-component fibers. An ideal batting construction requires bonding between the fibers to be solid yet flexible where structural fibers meet. These bonds will anchor the bi-component fibers so the temperature-induced strains will cause the batting to increase in thickness. If the bonds are not solid, the fibers will change shape, but the loft will only minimally increase thickness, as the straining fibers will slide against each other with only friction anchoring the fibers to produce increased loft. Bonds between the thermal fibers and structural fibers are less important, though ideally they would be bonded together in a non-sliding yet flexible manner as well.

For more information:

Please email Veronica Hunt (Products), or call: 781-306-0609 x294