New ways to heat and insulate

Low-consumption heating fabrics and Aerogel-based thermal insulation: proposals that go beyond the traditional way of manufacturing

Words Renato Antonini

In recent years, Ama Composites has dedicated time and resources to boosting innovative solutions dedicated to RV insulation and heating. The company’s focus is on introducing high-performance materials, advanced technological solutions and cutting-edge systems into a traditional sector such as RVs, which allow for energy savings, reduced polluting emissions and improved living comfort.

“We are successfully experimenting with cutting-edge solutions to improve the thermal insulation of RVs,” says Marco Benatti, Product Manager at AMA Composites, “but also to increase on-board climatic comfort through the use of unconventional heating systems. We have been offering nanotechnology and the use of Aerogel to achieve an excellent thermal insulation. Moreover, we have also developed low-consumption electric underfloor heating systems that can complement conventional heating systems more efficiently. We have always tried to overcome the limitations of a production based on traditional techniques, with a scant inclination towards innovation. At one time this way of behaving in the RV sector was partly justified by the need to keep costs reigned in in a growing market. Today, this scenario has changed: the cost-benefit ratio has to be carefully evaluated, taking into account the higher level of comfort demanded by users, the need to limit the weight of vehicles and the necessity to reduce environmental impact.”

Heating fabric

Ama Composites offers the AMATHERM supplementary heating system for the cockpit of RVs and the interior of pleasure boats. It consists of a heating membrane, a mat made of a fabric composed of a continuous conductive metal thread (copper) and glass filaments with a continuous non-textured yarn. Also marketed under the name Jess, the AMATHERM radiant technology allows heat to be radiated only to the targeted areas and rapidly heats the selected spots. It is possible to use this system in various areas of the cockpit. The AMATHERM conductive fabric can be laid on the floor, wall or ceiling.

“The possibilities offered by AMATHERM heating mats are extensive,” continues Marco Benatti, “because this particular fabric has a limited thickness and can be shaped as desired. What’s more, it can be incorporated into composite materials, which allows it to function efficiently yet be invisible. OEM applications are possible, but also after-market solutions.”

A fixed connection to the vehicle’s 12V system can be set up for the power supply, but it is also possible to provide a connection to an electrical socket, e.g. the cigarette lighter socket in the cabin, so that the user can quickly choose when to plug it in. The AMATHERM fabric inserted in a carpet can take on a variety of shapes, contoured to fit the various points in the cockpit according to the shapes of the various furnishings. For example, with a T-shape, it can fit into the driver’s cabin by slotting between the seats and the central console. It is possible to provide heating for only one part of the mat.

“Heating mats with AMATHERM fabric can be tailor-made according to the customer’s wishes,” continues Marco Benatti, “not only in terms of shape, but also in terms of voltage (12 V, 24 V or other) and power, allowing the customer to balance power consumption and temperature as they wish. Normally the heating mat is calibrated for a temperature of 2530° C, but this product is capable of reaching 250° C. In the case of ceiling installation, the heating fabric is covered with another finishing material, which doesn’t interfere with the heat transmission. The possibility of embedding the AMATHERM con ductive fabric in a GRP laminate or other composite material, applying it between the various lay ers of resin and fabrics that make up the material itself, shouldn’t be underestimat ed. With this system, for exam ple, it’s possible to create heated walls or floors in RV bathrooms.”

Insulation with Aerogel

Thanks to its involvement in a variety of sectors, such as building & construction, Ama Composites has been able to experiment with super-insulating materials that it has recently introduced to the RV sector as well. These are special composites based on Aerogel, a high-performance thermal insulator, also used in the aerospace sector. There may be various applications in the RV sector, and Ama Composites believes that Aerogel is a winning solution for the thermal insulation of camper vans, vehicles that have always posed more problems for insulation due to the original sheet metal bodywork. Ama Composites reiterates that Aerogel-based insulation can be applied ten times thinner than traditional polystyrene or rock wool insulation. Based on nano silicon dioxide, Ama Composites’ Aerogel-based insulation is fireproof (Class A2) and does not absorb water. There is a wide range: the semi-rigid panels, with thicknesses varying from 2 mm to 10 mm, can be cut to the desired size, while the product in mouldable plastic form is able to follow the various contours of the shell and can also be inserted into small places. There are also special Aerogel-based paints, which can be applied with a thickness of 200-300 microns, and with which the chosen shape can be fully coated, even if it has an extremely complex three-dimensional shape.