The present invention provides novel cyclic phosphorus-containing compounds, namely hydroxyl-functional phospholene-1-oxides, serving as highly efficient reactive flame retardants in urethane systems, particularly in flexible polyurethane foams, semi-rigid and rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams. The invention further provides fire-retarded polyurethane compositions comprising said hydroxyl-functional phospholene-1-oxides.

The present invention provides novel cyclic phosphorus-containing compounds, namely hydroxyl-functional phospholene-1-oxides, serving as highly efficient reactive flame retardants in urethane systems, particularly in flexible polyurethane foams, rigid polyurethane foams and rigid polyisocyanurate foams. The invention further provides fire-retarded polyurethane compositions comprising said hydroxyl-functional phospholene-1-oxides.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a porous material, at least comprising the steps of providing a mixture (I) comprising a composition (A) comprising at least one monool (am) and a composition (A*) comprising components suitable to form an organic gel and a solvent (B), reacting the components in the composition (A) in the presence of the solvent (B) to form a gel, and drying of the gel obtained in step b). The invention further relates to the porous materials which can be obtained in this way and the use of the porous materials as thermal insulation material and in vacuum insulation panels, in particular in interior or exterior thermal insulation systems.

Polyol premixes and thermally insulating rigid polyurethane foams, such as those that can be used as a thermal insulation medium in the construction of refrigerated storage devices, are disclosed. A polymer polyol having a OH number of at least 200 mg KOH/g and a solids content of at least 40% by weight is utilized. The resulting polyurethane foams can exhibit improved thermal insulation properties without sacrificing other important physical and processing properties.

A polyetherester polyol is synthesized from reactants including a) aromatic acid or aromatic anhydride or a mixture thereof, and b) OH-functional starter molecules which contain alcoholamine or amine-initiated polyether polyol. Corresponding rigid polyurethane foams produced with the polyetherester polyol are useful for insulation used in appliance applications.

Melamine-formaldehyde foam with improved weather resistance comprising 0.1 to 8 wt.-% of at least one UV stabilizer, such as benzotriazole derivatives and piperidinol derivatives and further 1 to 3 wt.-% of at least one hydrophobicization agent, such as organo-modified siloxanes and silanes and processes for producing such melamine-formaldehyde foams with improved weather resistance.

Industrial hemp infused polyurethane spray foam insulation compositions are disclosed including a first component and a second component. The first component includes isocyanate, and the second component includes a mixture of polyol and industrial hemp. The first component and the second component are simultaneously mixed and sprayed using a spray gun to form the industrial hemp infused polyurethane spray foam insulations.

A chain-extended silicone represented by the formula Each R.sup.1 independently represents H or a C.sub.1-C.sub.15 hydrocarbyl group. Each R.sup.2 independently represents H or a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group. Each A independently represents a C.sub.1-C.sub.18 hydrocarbylene group, optionally substituted with up to 5 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, N and S. Each Z independently represents a leaving group displaceable by a primary or secondary alkylamine. Each m independently represents an integer from 5 to 1000, inclusive. n represents an integer greater than or equal to two. The chain-extended silicone can be functionalized with aziridine groups. Methods of making the foregoing are also disclosed. Curable compositions, including a thermal gap filler, including the chain-extended silicone are also disclosed.

##STR00001##

Binder compositions for fiberglass are disclosed, comprising a polycarboxylic acid such as polyacrylic acid and a crosslinking agent. The crosslinking agent comprises a polyhydroxy component formed from a reaction of an epoxidized plant oil with an amine and optionally with a phenolic compound. The molar ratio of the amine to the epoxidized plant oil at the beginning of said reaction may be greater than 1:1. Methods of making the binders and fiber-containing composites made with said binders are also described.

The present invention relates to a hybrid aerogel obtained by reacting an aromatic or aliphatic isocyanate compound and silanol moieties on a surface of a clay in a presence of a solvent. Hybrid aerogels according to the present invention provide high thermal insulation material, while good mechanical properties and performance is maintained.