This study proposes a new dry powder processing method to produce fibre reinforced fumed silica compacts for highly efficient thermal insulation. First, mechanical forces such as shear stress and compression were applied into a fumed silica powder (BET SSA 300m2/g) and glass fibres (3mm length, 11um diameter) using an attrition type milling apparatus without any media balls. In the resultant powder mixture, fumed silica porously coated glass fibre composites were successfully prepared. SiC particles were also integrated as opacifiers. Then, the fibrous fumed silica porous compact was formed by dry pressing of the powder mixture and exhibited fracture strength of 1.58MPa at room temperature and thermal conductivity of 0.0282W/mK at 400 deg C, when its porosity was 80.1%.
