Cryogenic Insulation Materials

Cryogenic insulation materials are designed to thrive in extreme cold, provide thermal insulation, and support superior mechanical strength.

Proven in long-term applications.

Norplex-Micarta cryogenic insulation materials are engineered and produced specifically for extreme cold temperature applications in the energy, aerospace, medical and scientific devices, and heavy industry.

NP500CR, a specially formulated glass-epoxy sheet material, is preferred when the needs for superior thermal insulation and structural support converge with cryogenic temperatures. Due to its low moisture absorption, NP500CR can tolerate cycling between low and high temperatures better than many alternatives. Applications range from LNG pipe systems, land, over the road, and ship bunkering tanks to superconducting magnets and fusion reactor insulation.

Utilized in critical space applications, data developed by NASA and NIST are available for out-gassing, thermal conductivity, and other aspects important to designers.

Recently, NP500CR has been specified with various cover materials ranging from virgin PTFE and glass-filled PTFE to suit sliding and wear applications at cryogenic temperatures.

RT521M, also a glass-epoxy material, is a cryogenic rated tube that is found in various medical and scientific devices, as well as various industrial applications for cryogenic storage.

MC330, a cotton-phenolic sheet grade, is a cryogenic material that is designed for use in applications where the abrasiveness or hardness of glass reinforced materials is a concern to designers.

NP500CR and RT521M

Norplex-Micarta is the exclusive source for NP500CR, which was previously designated as Westinghouse/International Paper Cryogenic Grade 56 G12.

Proven in Demanding Applications

Exclusively from Norplex-Micarta

Case Study: Cryogenic Composite Beats Stainless Steel

Cryogenic Rated Composite Material Significantly Improves Functionality of Liquid Air Life Support System

NP500CR and RT521M

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been developing the next generation of life support systems in conjunction with CryoLife Support Systems (CLSS) in Titusville, FL. This improved design by CLSS features a novel pickup of the liquid air that allows air to be supplied even when the pack is 90° off vertical. This feature greatly increases the safety and functionality of this system for terrestrial applications such as firefighting and other first responders.

Featured Materials

innovative tube

A Norplex-Micarta Innovation

Sometimes, a specific application requires a new approach. Norplex-Micarta’s engineers worked with a customer who needed an extremely low permeability in a cryogenic tube. How could this be achieved?

After consultation, a material was found that had essentially zero permeability, but it was a thermal conductor. So, to take a multi-material approach, Norplex-Micarta found a process innovation that allowed this material to be sandwiched in the middle of the tube.

The resulting tube now has low thermal conductivity, excellent strength and toughness, and has essentially zero permeability.

Create an account to access more details on these cryogenic insulation materials, including testing at cryogenic temperatures.

Not ready to create an account yet? No problem.