Overview
TSM Ceramic is a liquid ceramic thermal-insulation coating based on acrylic polymers and ultra-fine hollow ceramic microspheres. Applied as a thin seamless layer (1–2 mm), it provides high thermal resistance without adding structural load — for cases where conventional insulation is impractical: complex geometries, historical facades, pipelines, industrial equipment, interiors, and retrofits. It reduces heat loss, prevents condensation, and stabilizes surface temperatures.
Applications
Complex geometries; historical facades; pipelines; industrial equipment; interior surfaces; retrofit projects. Adheres to concrete, brick, metal, wood, glass, and plastics (including polypropylene).
Users: construction, retrofit, industrial, and heritage-restoration sectors.
Operating Principle
Hollow ceramic microspheres filled with low-pressure gas reduce heat transfer via minimal solid contact paths, internal IR reflection, and suppressed convection inside the spheres — giving effective insulation at millimeter-scale thickness. Applied in controlled thin passes, building up to full thickness over a short, staged application schedule.
Limitations: very low quoted λ implies the coating works best as a surface IR/condensation barrier rather than a bulk-R replacement for thick insulation in all regimes.
Key Parameters
Thermal conductivity (λ): 0.001 W/m·°C. Thermal resistance: R = 1.0 m²·°C/W at 1 mm. Density: 380–580 kg/m³ (dry), 470–690 kg/m³ (liquid). Water-vapor permeability: 0.0014 mg/(m·h·Pa). Specific heat: 1.0 kJ/(kg·°C). Elongation at break: ≥8 % (unchanged after 10 years). Adhesion: metal 1.53 MPa, concrete/wood 1.84 MPa. Tensile: 3.0 MPa (initial), 2.0 MPa (10 years). Impact: 50 kg·cm. Coverage: 1 gal = 29 sq ft @1 mm / 14.5 sq ft @2 mm.
Architecture and Components
Acrylic polymer binder + hollow ceramic microspheres (low-pressure gas fill); seamless thin-film coating; applied by brush/spray/roller, no primer needed in most standard cases.
Advantages
Technical: insulation at 1–2 mm vs centimeters of conventional material; seamless, conforms to complex shapes; broad adhesion; prevents condensation; durable (10-year mechanical retention). Economic: minimal thickness, no structural load, retrofit-friendly. Environmental: thin material use, energy savings from reduced heat loss.
Integrations
Coats existing concrete/metal/wood/glass/plastic surfaces; pairs with ARBOK construction and thermal product lines; sibling to fire-rated TSM Ceramic (Fire).
Deployment & Operation
Steps: clean/dry surface (free of oils/corrosion) → mix to a homogeneous consistency → apply in controlled thin passes, staged over several days, to reach a target thickness of 1–2 mm. Standard application crews. Commercially available product.
TRL
TRL 9 (confirmed by Michael). Proven in operational environment: commercially available product with published specifications and 10-year durability data, manufactured by ARBOK's European production subdivision.
TRL scale:
- TRL 1 — basic principles observed
- TRL 2 — technology concept formulated
- TRL 3 — experimental proof-of-concept
- TRL 4 — validated in lab
- TRL 5 — validated in relevant environment
- TRL 6 — demonstrated in relevant environment
- TRL 7 — prototype in operational environment
- TRL 8 — system complete and qualified
- TRL 9 — proven in operational environment ← TSM Ceramic
Market Potential
Thermal-insulation coatings serve large retrofit, industrial, pipeline, and heritage markets where conventional insulation is impractical. A thin, seamless, broadly-adhering coating with established commercial track record addresses energy-efficiency retrofits and condensation control across these segments.
Typical Project Economics
Coverage 29 sq ft/gal @1 mm; 500 sq ft @2 mm needs 34.5 gal. Value from energy savings, condensation prevention, and minimal-thickness retrofit. Unit pricing not in source; commercially priced.
Risk Factors
Headline λ (0.001 W/m·°C) is far below conventional insulation and should be interpreted as surface IR/condensation performance, not bulk-R equivalence in every regime — buyer expectations must be managed. Surface prep critical for adhesion. Thin-film limits absolute R for high-ΔT bulk insulation needs.
Related Technologies
TSM Ceramic (Fire) · LB HEAT · Green Concrete