A molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has a density in the range from 60 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 and a thermal conductivity in the range from 12 to 17.8 mW/m*K. The molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has more than 30 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 150 nm, and more than 20 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 27 nm, based on the total pore volume. A process can be used to prepare the molding by compression.

A molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has a density in the range from 60 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 and a thermal conductivity in the range from 12 to 17.8 mW/m*K. The molding based on a monolithic organic aerogel has more than 30 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 150 nm, and more than 20 vol.-% of pores with a diameter of less than 27 nm, based on the total pore volume. A process can be used to prepare the molding by compression.

Described herein is a process for producing a pipe insulated with polyurethane foam, where (a) isocyanates are mixed with (b) polyols, (c) blowing agent including at least one aliphatic, halogenated hydrocarbon compound (c1), made up of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, at least one hydrogen atom and at least one fluorine and/or chlorine atom, where the compound (c1) includes at least one carbon-carbon double bond, (d) catalyst including N,N-dialkylbenzylamine, optionally (e) chain extenders and/or crosslinkers and optionally (f) auxiliaries and additives to give a reaction mixture, the reaction mixture is applied to a pipe for media and is allowed to cure to give the polyurethane foam. Also described herein is an insulated pipe obtained by such a process and a method of using such an insulated pipe as insulated composite wall pipe for district heating or district cooling networks laid in the ground.

Described herein is a process for producing a pipe insulated with polyurethane foam, where (a) isocyanates are mixed with (b) polyols, (c) blowing agent including at least one aliphatic, halogenated hydrocarbon compound (c1), made up of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, at least one hydrogen atom and at least one fluorine and/or chlorine atom, where the compound (c1) includes at least one carbon-carbon double bond, (d) catalyst including N,N-dialkylbenzylamine, optionally (e) chain extenders and/or crosslinkers and optionally (f) auxiliaries and additives to give a reaction mixture, the reaction mixture is applied to a pipe for media and is allowed to cure to give the polyurethane foam. Also described herein is an insulated pipe obtained by such a process and a method of using such an insulated pipe as insulated composite wall pipe for district heating or district cooling networks laid in the ground.

Mineral wool insulation products are provided. The mineral wool insulation includes a plurality of mineral wool fibers and a wax emulsion applied to the mineral wool fibers. The wax emulsion imparts excellent water resistance and thermal performance properties to the mineral wool insulation.

A heat-insulating sheet includes a fiber sheet having spaces therein and silica xerogel held in the spaces of the fiber sheet. The heat-insulating sheet includes a first region located at a peripheral portion of the heat-insulating sheet and a second region surrounded by the first region. A compression rate of the second region of the heat-insulating sheet in response to a pressure of 1 MPa applied to the second region is smaller than a compression rate of the first region of the heat-insulating sheet in response to a pressure of 1 MPa applied to the first region. The heat-insulating sheet reduces a compressive strain while maintaining heat insulation performance.

The heat-insulating sheet may be installed in a secondary battery and enhances reliability of the secondary battery against a swell of the battery due to an increase of pressure inside a cell of the battery.

A heat-insulating sheet includes a fiber sheet having spaces therein and silica xerogel held in the spaces of the fiber sheet. The heat-insulating sheet includes a first region located at a peripheral portion of the heat-insulating sheet and a second region surrounded by the first region. A compression rate of the second region of the heat-insulating sheet in response to a pressure of 1 MPa applied to the second region is smaller than a compression rate of the first region of the heat-insulating sheet in response to a pressure of 1 MPa applied to the first region. The heat-insulating sheet reduces a compressive strain while maintaining heat insulation performance.

The heat-insulating sheet may be installed in a secondary battery and enhances reliability of the secondary battery against a swell of the battery due to an increase of pressure inside a cell of the battery.

A thermal insulation sheet is used that includes a fiber, a silica aerogel contained in the fiber, and a fibrous cavity. A method for manufacturing a thermal insulation sheet is used that includes: an impregnation step of impregnating a silica aerosol in a nonwoven fabric substrate containing a fiber that is insoluble in an acidic solution, and a fiber that is soluble in the acidic solution; a gelling step of gelling the silica aerosol; a hydrophobizing step of hydrophobizing the gel; and a drying step of drying the gel. The fiber that is soluble in the acidic solution is dissolved in the hydrophobizing step.

A thermal insulation sheet is used that includes a fiber, a silica aerogel contained in the fiber, and a fibrous cavity. A method for manufacturing a thermal insulation sheet is used that includes: an impregnation step of impregnating a silica aerosol in a nonwoven fabric substrate containing a fiber that is insoluble in an acidic solution, and a fiber that is soluble in the acidic solution; a gelling step of gelling the silica aerosol; a hydrophobizing step of hydrophobizing the gel; and a drying step of drying the gel. The fiber that is soluble in the acidic solution is dissolved in the hydrophobizing step.

An insulating core material for a refrigerating appliance includes a plurality of insulating glass spheres, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between at least a portion of the insulating glass spheres of the plurality of glass spheres. A coating material is applied at least to the outer surface of the insulating glass spheres, wherein the coating material modifies the outer surface to define a retaining outer surface of each insulating glass sphere of the plurality of glass spheres. A secondary insulating material is combined with the plurality of insulating glass spheres, wherein the secondary insulating material is at least partially retained by the retaining outer surfaces of the insulating glass spheres to occupy the plurality of interstitial spaces.