According to one embodiment, a halogen free roof system is described. The roof system includes a structural deck that is positioned above joists or other support members. Polyisocyanurate foam insulation is positioned atop the structural deck. The polyisocyanurate foam insulation has an isocyanate index greater than 200 and includes a polyisocyanurate core having a halogen free fire retardant. A water proof membrane is positioned atop the polyisocyanurate foam insulation. The polyisocyanurate core is able to form a sufficiently stable char when exposed to flame conditions such that the polyisocyanurate core is able to pass the ASTM E-84 test.

The present invention provides a gel comprising a physical network formed of polymer chain crystallites interconnected by amorphous chain segments. Functionalization of the chain segments between the crystallites forms a blocky distribution of functionality along the chain whereby the functionalities are concentrated in groups consisting of one or more functionalities, separated by non-functionalized runs of crystallizable segments of the polymer. Removal of the solvent from the gels, without reducing the gel volume, forms an aerogel.

A composition for preparing polyisocyanurate and polyurethane foams is provided, comprising A) an isocyanate-reactive component, B) a polyisocyanate component and C) a branched siloxane comprising at least three trimethylsiloxy groups. A method for preparing the polyisocyanurate and polyurethane foams, and foams prepared thereby are also provided.

The present invention provides compositions and methods related to aerogel materials, including polyimide-based aerogels. In particular, aerogel materials optimized to have certain physical and chemical properties such as flexural and compressive strength are provided. In some embodiments, the aerogel materials can be at least partially carbonized.

Elastomeric copolymer with a high sulfur content, comprising sulfur in a quantity higher than or equal to 40% by weight, preferably ranging from 55% by weight to 90% by weight, with respect to the total weight of said elastomeric copolymer, and at least one monomer having general formula (I): CH.sub.2═CH—(CH.sub.2).sub.y-(X).sub.n-(X).sub.m-(CH.sub.2).sub.x—CH═CH.sub.2 (I) wherein: X represents a sulfur atom, a selenium atom, a tellurium atom, preferably a sulfur atom, a selenium atom; y and x, equal to or different from one another, are a whole number ranging from 0 to 4; n and m, equal to or different from one another, are a whole number ranging from 0 to 3, at least one of n and m being equal to 1; said monomer being present in a quantity lower than or equal to 60% by weight, preferably ranging from 10% by weight to 45% by weight, with respect to the total weight of said elastomeric copolymer; provided that, in the case wherein in said general formula (I) X is sulfur, y and x are 1, at least one of n and m must be different from 1 and the sum of n+m must be different from 1. Said elastomeric copolymer with a high sulfur content can be advantageously used in a great many applications such as, for example, thermal insulation, conveyor

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a polyurethane foam, in particular an aerogel, from at least one polyisocyanate and at least one optionally recycled polyol, and to the use thereof.

A method for producing a silica aerogel, the method including preparing a reactant by adding a basic catalyst to a first silica precursor solution, performing primary gelation in which the reactant is stirred to form a gel precursor, introducing a second silica precursor solution to a fiber, and performing a secondary gelation in which the gel precursor is introduced to the fiber to which the second silica precursor solution was introduced to form a silica aerogel.

The present invention pertains to: a polyol composition containing a polysaccharide alcohol, a polysaccharide alcohol-derived anhydrosugar alcohol, and an anhydrosugar alcohol polymer; and a polyurethane foam including same. More specifically, the present invention pertains to: a polyol composition containing a) a monoanhydrosugar alcohol, b) a dianhydrosugar alcohol, c) a polysaccharide alcohol, d) a polysaccharide alcohol-derived anhydrosugar alcohol, and e) at least one polymer of a) to d), wherein physical properties such as the number average molecular weight (Mn), polydispersity index (PDI), and average number of OH groups per molecule of the polyol composition satisfy certain levels, the polyol composition can contribute to the improvement of physical properties such as strength, elongation, and thermal insulation when used as a raw material for polyurethane, etc., using a hydrogenated sugar composition obtained from a saccharide mixture containing glucose and polysaccharides (disaccharides or higher saccharides) improves productivity, and costs can be reduced compared to the case of using conventional high-purity hydrogenated sugar; and a polyurethane foam including same.

The present invention relates to a reaction mixture for manufacturing an inorganic-filler based closed-cell rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate (PU or PIR) containing foam having a calorific value below 6 MJ/kg, preferably below 4.5 MJ/kg, more preferably below 3 MJ/kg, measured according to EN ISO 1716, the reaction mixture comprising: At least one polyisocyanate-containing compound; At least one isocyanate-reactive compound; An inorganic filler composition; At least one physical blowing agent;

characterised in that said inorganic filler composition has bulk density higher than 2 g/cm.sup.3, preferably higher than 2.1 g/cm.sup.3, more preferably higher than 2.2 g/cm.sup.3, even more preferably higher than 2.4 g/cm.sup.3.

The present invention provides compositions and methods related to aerogel materials, including polyimide-based aerogels. In particular, aerogel materials optimized to have certain physical and chemical properties such as flexural and compressive strength are provided. In some embodiments, the aerogel materials can be at least partially carbonized.