Conventional concrete's thermal conductivity (typically 1.0-1.8 W/mK) presents significant challenges for building energy efficiency. In large commercial structures, thermal bridges through concrete elements can account for up to 30% of total heat loss, leading to increased energy consumption and potential moisture-related deterioration.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing concrete formulations that achieve substantial thermal insulation without compromising the material's essential structural properties and durability requirements.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including aerogel-modified matrices, phase change material integration, and advanced ceramic composite systems. These and other approaches focus on practical implementations that balance thermal performance with mechanical strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness in real-world construction applications.

1. Concrete Matrix with Hydrophilically Modified Aerogel Particles for Enhanced Thermal Insulation

ZHONGKE RUNZI AEROGEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD, 2024

Aerosol-based thermal insulation concrete that combines aerogel particles with hydrophobic aerogel to enhance thermal insulation performance while maintaining mechanical properties. The aerogel particles are modified to improve their hydrophilic properties, allowing them to effectively absorb water without compromising the aerogel's structural integrity. The modified aerogel is incorporated into a conventional foam concrete matrix, resulting in a material with superior thermal insulation properties compared to conventional foamed concrete. The aerogel particles can be precisely controlled in their particle size and composition to optimize performance.

2. Ultra-High Performance Concrete Composition with Silica Beads and Silica Fume for Enhanced Thermal Insulation and Compressive Strength

JEONGYANG SG CO LTD, 2024

A heat insulation UHPC composition that combines enhanced thermal insulation properties with improved compressive strength. The composition comprises a cement matrix with 24-26 parts of silica fume, 20-60 parts of fine aggregate, and 30-150 parts of silica beads, with a water-cement ratio of 28%. The silica beads are specifically designed with a size range of 4-7 μm to effectively block radiant heat while maintaining sufficient compressive strength. This composition enables both thermal insulation and structural performance in applications requiring both insulation and structural integrity, such as thermal break insulation for buildings with cantilevered structures.

US2024246856A1-patent-drawing

3. Concrete Composition Incorporating Silicon Carbide and Alumina Phase-Forming Agent for Enhanced Thermal Insulation and Durability

NINGBO SHENGTAI CONCRETE CO LTD, 2024

Thermal insulation concrete with enhanced durability and reduced thermal conductivity. The concrete comprises a combination of conventional insulating materials and a specialized phase-forming agent that significantly improves its thermal resistance in extreme cold conditions. The phase-forming agent, comprising a combination of silicon carbide and alumina, forms a dense, porous structure that significantly reduces thermal conductivity compared to conventional insulating materials. The phase-forming agent also enhances the concrete's durability and resistance to thermal shock, making it suitable for critical applications such as pipelines and storage tanks.

CN117964315A-patent-drawing

4. Sandwich Insulation Board with Phase Change Concrete Core and Longitudinal Steel Wire Reinforcement

SHIHEZI UNIVERSITY, 2024

A low thermal conductivity sandwich insulation board and phase change concrete wall panel to address thermal bridging and condensation issues in building envelopes. The sandwich insulation board comprises a phase change concrete core sandwiched between two layers of low thermal conductivity polystyrene core. The core layers are connected by longitudinal steel wires that provide structural integrity. The steel wires are fixedly attached to the core layers using FRP fasteners. This design eliminates thermal bridging through the core material and prevents condensation issues common in traditional insulation materials.

5. Ceramic Concrete Wallboard with Cross-Distributed Mesh Reinforced Core and Dual Heat Insulation Layers

JIANGSU HAJIANG XIANGRUI MODERN CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT CO LTD, Jiangsu Huajiang Xiangrui Modern Construction Development Co., Ltd., 2022

Ceramic concrete insulation wallboard with enhanced thermal performance through a novel reinforcement structure. The wallboard comprises a ceramsite concrete layer with a reinforced core, featuring a heat insulation layer at both ends, connected by a thermal bridge. The reinforced core contains a mesh layer with cross-type distribution, which distributes the thermal load across the wallboard. This design provides improved thermal performance through enhanced thermal bridging and structural reinforcement, while maintaining the ceramsite concrete's natural insulation properties.

CN217782568U-patent-drawing

6. Concrete Incorporating Ceramsite Modified with Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene Copolymer and Surfactant

杭州三中新型建材科技有限公司, HANGZHOU SANZHONG NEW BUILDING MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022

High-strength thermal insulation concrete with enhanced hydrophobicity and mechanical properties through ceramsite modification. The modification process involves incorporating ceramsite with fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer and surfactant to improve hydrophobicity and reduce water absorption. This results in a concrete with superior thermal insulation performance and enhanced mechanical properties. The modified ceramsite retains its hydrophobic properties while incorporating the surfactant, which enhances its surface energy and prevents delamination. The fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer and surfactant combination provides superior hydrophobicity and mechanical performance compared to conventional surfactants.

7. Concrete Composition with Phase Change Material Incorporating Graphene Oxide and Polyvinyl Alcohol Fibers

Shanghai Qunbao Building Materials Co., Ltd., SHANGHAI QUNBAO BUILDING MATERIALS CO LTD, 2022

Concrete material with phase change heat storage function and preparation method for enhanced thermal insulation. The material comprises a controlled mixture of Portland cement, silica fume, fly ash, slag powder, quartz sand, stone, water-reducing agent, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, and graphene oxide, with a specific weight ratio of 146-161 water to cement, 48-56 cement to silica fume, 175-193 fly ash to silica fume, and 57-72 slag powder to silica fume. The mixture undergoes a controlled heating process to produce a phase change material (PCM) with enhanced thermal insulation properties.

CN112408904B-patent-drawing

8. Concrete Composition with Expanded Perlite, Polyvinyl Alcohol Fibers, and Foam Stabilizer for Enhanced Thermal Insulation and Compressive Strength

HENGYANG AIJIA XIANGNENG COMFORTABLE ENV DECORATION CO LTD, 2021

Energy-efficient high-strength concrete for building insulation that combines superior thermal insulation properties with enhanced compressive strength. The innovative concrete formulation incorporates expanded perlite, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, and a specially developed foam stabilizer, which significantly reduces thermal conductivity while maintaining superior insulation performance. The formulation achieves optimal balance between thermal insulation and compressive strength through precise blend ratios of raw materials, resulting in a durable and cost-effective solution for building envelope insulation.

9. Composite Castable with Ceramsite, Perlite, Calcium Silicate, and Modified Brucite-Sepiolite Fiber Structure

BEIJING TONGCHUANG KENAI TECH CO LTD, 2021

Ultra-low thermal conductivity castable for industrial kilns and thermal equipment that provides exceptional heat preservation and insulation while maintaining high thermal conductivity. The castable comprises a combination of ceramsite, perlite, and calcium silicate components with specific particle size distributions, along with a modified fiber comprising brucite and sepiolite composite products. The unique fiber structure enhances thermal conductivity while maintaining low thermal conductivity properties.

CN112573930A-patent-drawing

10. Concrete Block with Integrated Porous Ceramic Carrier for Phase Change Material Storage

BEIJING BUILDING MATERIALS ACADEMY SCIENCES RES, 2021

Thermally functional concrete block comprising a phase change energy storage material (PCM) as an integral core within a concrete matrix. The PCM is spontaneously impregnated into a porous ceramic carrier, which is then integrated into the concrete structure. This innovative approach eliminates traditional phase change material (PCM) loading while maintaining superior thermal performance, reduced production costs, and enhanced durability compared to conventional PCM-based systems. The porous ceramic carrier provides capillary action, preventing material leakage during phase change, while the concrete support frame enables structural integrity during loading conditions.

CN112159183A-patent-drawing

11. Concrete Composition with Foam-Enhanced Thermal Insulation via Specific Foam Generation Process

Zhongjinglan Industrial Group Co., Ltd., ZHONGJINGLAN INDUSTRIAL GROUP CO LTD, 2020

Self-insulating concrete for energy-efficient buildings that achieves improved thermal performance through a novel preparation method. The concrete product is prepared using a specific foam generation process that enhances its thermal insulation properties, particularly in its early stages of curing. The preparation method enables industrial-scale production of self-insulating concrete while maintaining its superior thermal performance characteristics.

12. Alkali-Activated Fly Ash/Slag Foamed Concrete with Geopolymer-Based Dense Foam Structure

Guangzhou University, GUANGZHOU UNIVERSITY, 2019

Alkali-activated fly ash/slag foamed concrete with enhanced thermal performance through a novel geopolymer foaming process. The method utilizes a combination of geopolymer and physical foaming to create a dense, three-dimensional structure with improved thermal conductivity compared to traditional foamed concrete. The geopolymer matrix provides enhanced mechanical properties, while the physical foaming process produces a stable and dense foam structure. This innovative approach enables the production of lightweight, low-thermal conductivity foamed concrete with improved thermal performance.

CN106946509B-patent-drawing

13. Method for Fabricating Composite Wall Material with Inorganic Thermal Insulation Mortar and Crack-Resistant Fibers

JIANGSU LILIAN HEAVY IND MACHINERY CO LTD, 2018

A method for preparing a thermal insulation lightweight new wall material that enhances its performance through a combination of inorganic thermal insulation mortar and crack-resistant fibers. The method involves preparing a thermal insulation mortar by incorporating inorganic materials such as ceramsite and fibers like glass fibers or carbon fibers. This mortar is then combined with conventional building materials to create a composite material that combines the thermal insulation properties of the inorganic material with the crack-resistant properties of the fibers. The composite material is then cured to form a lightweight wall material with superior thermal performance and enhanced durability.

14. Lightweight Cementitious Building Material with Low-Density Aggregates and Phase-Change Materials

JIANGSU LILIAN HEAVY IND MACHINERY CO LTD, 2018

A novel lightweight building material that combines thermal insulation with enhanced structural performance. The material comprises a unique combination of cementitious components, including a high-performance cement blend with optimized thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, combined with supplementary materials such as low-density aggregates and phase-change materials. The material's thermal insulation properties are achieved through its optimized thermal conductivity profile, while its structural integrity is enhanced through the incorporation of reinforcement elements. This innovative material offers improved thermal performance and reduced weight compared to traditional cement-based wall systems, making it particularly suitable for high-performance building applications where both thermal insulation and structural integrity are critical.

CN109020355A-patent-drawing

15. Concrete Composition with Graphite-Barite Filler and Magnetic Composite Powder for Radiation Shielding and Thermal Insulation

CHONGQING VOCATIONAL COLLEGE TRANSP, 2018

Radiation-proof thermal insulation concrete with enhanced radiation protection and thermal insulation properties. The concrete contains a radiation-resistant surface modification on graphite and barite mixed filler, combined with a magnetic composite powder with porous structure. The magnetic composite powder, comprising iron oxide (Fe3O4) and shell powder, enhances electromagnetic wave absorption while maintaining a large surface area. The radiation-resistant surface modification and magnetic composite powder combination provide superior radiation shielding and thermal insulation performance compared to conventional radiation-proof concrete.

16. Concrete Composition with Specific Aggregate and Fiber Materials for Enhanced Thermal Insulation and Durability

CHENGDU RONGDE CONSTRUCTION LABOR CO LTD, 2017

Thermal insulation concrete with enhanced thermal performance and durability. The concrete combines advanced insulation properties with improved durability through the incorporation of specific aggregate and fiber materials. The composition includes cement, expanded perlite, brucite, fly ash, water glass slurry, alkali activator, polyacrylonitrile fibers, polystyrene fibers, aluminum silicate fibers, potassium hexatitanate crystals, and auxiliary agents. The unique combination of these components provides superior thermal insulation while maintaining structural integrity.

CN107162559A-patent-drawing

17. Concrete Composition with Titanium Mineral Additive for Enhanced Thermal and Load-Bearing Properties

SCHÖCK BAUTEILE GMBH, 2017

A concrete with titanium minerals as an additive improves thermal insulation and load-bearing properties. The concrete contains titanium minerals, specifically ilmenite, in concentrations up to 100% of the total mineral content. This unique composition enhances thermal insulation without compromising structural integrity. The titanium minerals exhibit high thermal conductivity and density, making them an effective additive for radiation protection and load-bearing applications. The resulting concrete can be used as a high-performance insulation material for buildings, walls, and masonry structures, offering superior thermal performance compared to conventional insulation materials.

18. Composite Foam Concrete Block with Cementitious Phase Change Material Encapsulation

潍坊德霖建材科技有限公司, WEIFANG DELIN BUILDING MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2017

A phase change energy storage composite foam concrete block that combines the benefits of foam concrete with phase change materials. The block comprises a foam concrete core with a cementitious phase change material (PCM) poured on the inner wall surface. The PCM is a mixture of cement, fly ash, latex, cellulose ether, and fibers, with specific energy storage properties and controlled water content. The PCM is applied to the foam core wall surface, where it is encapsulated by the foam structure, creating a composite material with superior thermal performance characteristics. The foam core maintains its structural integrity while the PCM provides long-term energy storage.

CN104829189B-patent-drawing

19. Cement-Based Mortar Incorporating Phase Change Materials with Variable Thermal Conductivity

KOREA INSTITUTE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY, 한국건설기술연구원, 2017

Concrete with enhanced thermal insulation properties achieved through the incorporation of phase change materials (PCMs) into cement-based mortars. The invention introduces a novel method for incorporating PCM into cement mixtures, specifically targeting the development of high-performance concrete for thermal energy management applications. The PCM enhances thermal resistance by storing and releasing latent heat, while the cement matrix provides structural integrity. The optimized mix design enables the creation of concrete with superior thermal performance compared to conventional materials.

20. Concrete Composite with Integrated Phase Change Material for Enhanced Thermal Insulation

CHONGQING SANSHENG SPECIAL BUILDING MATERIALS CO LTD, 2016

Concrete with enhanced thermal insulation properties that replaces traditional protective layers. The phase change material (PCM) is incorporated into the concrete mixture during the manufacturing process, where it melts and impregnates the concrete. This natural drying process eliminates the need for conventional insulation materials. The PCM maintains its insulating properties even after the concrete has hardened, providing continuous thermal protection.

21. Concrete Composite with Phase-Change and Supplementary Cementitious Materials for Enhanced Thermal Resistance

22. Method for Preparing Concrete with Advanced Additives and Insulation Using Specialized Materials

23. Incorporation of Phase-Change Microspheres in Concrete Panels for Enhanced Thermal Insulation

24. Lightweight Aggregate Concrete with Cement-Based Insulation and Modified Glass Aggregate

25. Hollow Parallelepipedal Concrete Block with Integrated Anchor Bars for Facade Thermal Breaking

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