In the field of new materials, aerogel has always held a "crucial" position. It is known as "solid smoke" and has a density of only one-thousandth that of glass, yet it possesses numerous excellent properties such as extremely low thermal conductivity, high temperature resistance, water and moisture resistance, and is widely used in aerospace, new energy, construction, industry, and other fields. 
However, when many people come into contact with aerogels, they will encounter a core question: Are aerogels rigid or flexible? Can they be bent or compressed? Today, I will, based on the latest industry technologies and my own research experience, provide a detailed analysis of the mechanical properties of aerogels and unveil the mysterious veil of their "flexibility and hardness". 
Unlike traditional materials, the rigidity and flexibility of aerogels are not fixed. Instead, they are determined jointly by their chemical composition, nanoscale framework structure, and preparation process. Different types of aerogels have significant differences in their bending and compression capabilities, which is the key to enabling aerogels to be "used in multiple ways" with a single material. 
From the perspective of chemical composition, aerogels can be mainly classified into three categories: inorganic aerogels, organic aerogels, and composite aerogels. Among them, inorganic aerogels are mainly rigid, while organic and composite aerogels are mainly flexible. They exhibit completely different mechanical properties. 
Inorganic aerogels (such as silica aerogels and alumina aerogels) are the earliest developed types of aerogels and are typical rigid aerogels. Their nanoscale framework is formed by the cross-linking of inorganic particles, resulting in a dense and fragile structure with poor mechanical properties. They have weak resistance to bending and compression. Like a "fragile crystal", it won't break when lightly touched, but if subjected to external forces for bending or pressing, it will easily shatter and cannot return to its original state. 
Nevertheless, the core advantages of inorganic aerogels - high temperature resistance and extremely low thermal conductivity - make them indispensable in high-temperature scenarios of a high-end nature. For instance, the "Mars Pathfinder" probe of the United States and the heat-resistant tiles of our country's spacecraft all use inorganic aerogels as insulation materials. High-performance inorganic aerogels, by optimizing the pore structure, maintain rigidity and high-temperature resistance while further enhancing their compressive strength, making them suitable for more demanding industrial high-temperature scenarios. 
With the continuous advancement of technology, the emergence of organic aerogels and composite aerogels has completely broken the limitation of aerogels being "brittle and unyielding", ushering in the "flexible era" of aerogels. Flexible aerogels achieve flexibility and elasticity by using organic precursors (such as polyurethane, cellulose), or by adding flexible reinforcing fibers (such as ceramic fibers, glass fibers) to inorganic aerogels, optimizing the nano-skeletal structure. 
According to laboratory tests, the flexible aerogel can be bent, folded, and even rolled into a coil shape. Its compressive deformation can reach 90%. After being tested for 104 cycles under a 50% strain, it only shows 2% plastic deformation and maintains 93% of its initial stress. Once released, it can quickly rebound, without affecting its core performance. This "flexible and tough" characteristic enables the aerogel to break free from the installation limitations of traditional rigid materials and can easily adapt to irregular structures and complex scenarios. 
For example, aerogel products can be widely applied in scenarios such as insulation for battery packs of new energy vehicles, insulation for railway transportation pipelines, and insulation for building walls. They can not only leverage the efficient insulation advantages of aerogel, but also adapt to different installation requirements through bending and compression, significantly improving construction efficiency. Moreover, flexible aerogel can also be used in outdoor equipment and medical materials, expanding the application boundaries of aerogel. 
The rigidity and flexibility of aerogels do not have an absolute superiority or inferiority. The key lies in adapting to the specific scenario. If your scenario requires high-temperature resistance, rigid support, and no bending or compression, inorganic rigid aerogels are the best choice; if you need flexible adaptation, convenient installation, and the ability to be bent or compressed, organic or composite flexible aerogels are more suitable. 
As a leading enterprise in the field of aerogel, we have always been dedicated to the research and innovation of aerogel technology. Whether it is rigid aerogel or flexible aerogel, we can provide high-quality and customized products and solutions, helping various industries achieve energy-saving upgrades and high-quality development.