SLENTITE® application guide

Our award-winning SLENTITE® is the original robust aerogel panel based on polyurethane. SLENTITE® is an especially attractive aerogel product.

Learn more about SLENTITE® here.

aerogel-it acquired the SLENTITE® technology from BASF at the beginning of 2022.

Identification

SLENTITE® has the following characteristics:

  • Panel size: ~55 cm × ~36 cm, thickness 13-15 mm

  • Rectangular edges

  • Neutral odor

  • Ivory to light yellow color

Storage and application conditions

For best protection, the panels should be stored in the cardboard box used for shipping until installation. Avoid strong mechanical stress and extreme climatic conditions:

  • Store the material in dry conditions and on even ground

  • Avoid temperatures over 130°C (265°F)

  • Protect panels from direct solar irradiation, rain, and extreme weather conditions

Conditions for application of the insulation panels depend on the chosen adhesive system. E.g. for cementitious adhesives the temperature of substrate surface and air should be at least +5°C (40°F).

Handling

SLENTITE® is a light-weight and heavy-duty high-performance insulation panel. Despite its strong mechanical properties, the panels are brittle and should be handled with care. In particular, a damage of the edges should be prevented:

  • Do not throw or drop the panels

  • Use both hands to pick up panels, completely grasping at two edges

  • Do not hit panels on edges, bend or compress

Disposal of wastes

Clean material is to be disposed of as polymeric waste. Contaminated material must be disposed of according to local regulations. Completely empty packaging material can be recycled.

Compatibility with building materials

SLENTITE® is compatible with most kinds of building materials. The solid surface with its fine porosity is an easy substrate for liquids, pastes and viscous materials, as well as for tapes and foams of various types.

Mechanical Processing - Cutting

For cutting, SLENTITE® insulation panels are placed on a solid, even surface. Typically, a cutter knife is used for cutting. The panels are scratched with the blade of the cutter knove along a ruler and then broken over the edge. If required, the edges can be smoothed using a planer tool or rough sand paper.

Mechanical Processing - Sawing

SLENTITE® insulation panels can be saw-processed with regular saw machinery and standard wood blades. In particular, the following equipment has proven convenient:

  • Circular saw for straight cuts

  • Band saw for bended cuts

  • Hole saw for circular cutouts

Jig saw cuts can show uncontrolled breaking and are therefore not recommended.

Application example: Interior insulation system

SLENTITE® is well suited for interior insulation due to its vapor diffusion characteristics. Nevertheless, for all interior insulation systems, it is important to select a suitable combination of materials for adhesive, reinforcement and finishing layers to maintain vapor management capabilities throughout the system. Therefore it is highly recommended to consult a building physics expert before installing any interior insulation system.

The installation of SLENTITE® is easy and carried out following standard building procedures. Due to the slim panel geometry, good adhesion to mortar adhesive and strong tensile strength of SLENTITE®, mechanical fixing by dowels is usually not required.

Surface Preparation

Surfaces must be clean, dry, free of dust and oil, structurally sound and capable of load-bearing. Particular attention should be paid to smoothness of the substrate surface. If required, the mortar adhesive layer can be used to level out irregularities. Curved surfaces can be lined with insulation panels cut to corresponding stripes.

Adhesive

SLENTITE® can be installed with cementitious mortars as well as urethane-based adhesives. Adhesives containing organic solvents are not suitable for the application of SLENTITE® and any contact must be avoided.

One tested option that has proved to be reliable is installing SLENTITE® with commercial cementitious adhesive and reinforcement mortars. The mortar is applied with a notched trowel on the substrate, levelling the surface as required. The SLENTITE® insulation panels are placed on the wall and positioned, pressing them carefully. Cross joints should be avoided, and joints should be kept free of mortar to prevent thermal bridges.

Reinforcement and Finish

After placing the desired layer of SLENTITE® insulation panels, cementitious mortar with embedded reinforcing mesh is applied as base coat layer. A surface finish is then applied and shaped at will, in accordance with system and design requirements.

Disclaimer

The data contained in this document as well as advice or other support services are based on our current knowledge and experience and are provided according to our best knowledge. In view of many factors that may affect processing and application of our products, this data does not relieve processors from carrying out their own investigations and tests, particularly with regards to the suitability of the goods supplied for the processes and purposes they intend to use them for; neither does this data imply any guarantee of certain properties, or the suitability of the product for a specific purpose. Any descriptions, drawings, photographs, data, proportions, weights, measured values etc. given herein may change without prior notice and do not constitute the agreed contractual quality of the product. It is the responsibility of the recipient of our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed.