Process for producing a thermally insulating mixture comprising hydrophobic silica, in which a) a pulverulent carrier material selected from the group consisting of precipitated silicas, SiO.sub.2 aerogels, pearlites and mixtures thereof is coated with a liquid silicon compound, where the liquid silicon compound has at least one alkyl group and a boiling point of less than 200 C., and b) the pulverulent carrier material that has thus been coated with the liquid silicon compound is mixed with a composition comprising a pulverulent hydrophilic fumed silica and the mixture is subjected to thermal treatment at more than 40 C. and c) any unreacted silicon compound is subsequently removed from the thermally treated mixture, thus giving the thermally insulating mixture comprising hydrophobic silica.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrophobized shaped thermal-insulation body, comprising pressing or compacting a thermal-insulation mixture containing a silica, an IR opacifier, an organosilicon compound A and an organosilicon compound B, wherein organosilicon compound A is hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) and organosilicon compound B corresponds to a substance of the formula R.sub.nSiX.sub.4-n, where R=hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, n=0, 1 or 2, X=Cl, Br or alkoxy group OR.sup.1 where R.sup.1=hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or organosilicon compound B corresponds to a silanol of the formula HO[Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2O].sub.mH, where m=2-100.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrophobized shaped thermal-insulation body, comprising pressing or compacting a thermal-insulation mixture containing a silica, an IR opacifier, an organosilicon compound A and an organosilicon compound B, wherein organosilicon compound A is hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) and organosilicon compound B corresponds to a substance of the formula R.sub.nSiX.sub.4-n, where R=hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, n=0, 1 or 2, X=Cl, Br or alkoxy group OR.sup.1 where R.sup.1=hydrocarbyl radical having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or organosilicon compound B corresponds to a silanol of the formula HO[Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2O].sub.mH, where m=2-100.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to a thermal insulating composition, containing 5 to 60% by weight of a hydrophobized granular material comprising fumed silica and at least one IR-opacifier, and 40 to 95% by weight of an inorganic and/or an organic binder, whereby the hydrophobized granular material has a content of free hydroxyl groups of no greater than 0.12 mmol/g, as determined by the reaction with lithium aluminium hydride.

The present invention relates to a thermal insulating composition, containing 5 to 60% by weight of a hydrophobized granular material comprising fumed silica and at least one IR-opacifier, and 40 to 95% by weight of an inorganic and/or an organic binder, whereby the hydrophobized granular material has a content of free hydroxyl groups of no greater than 0.12 mmol/g, as determined by the reaction with lithium aluminium hydride.

Techniques and compositions for applying films to a variety of substrates, from water-borne coating compositions, are provided. The techniques involve providing desiccant and applying the desiccant with water-borne film-forming composition, in application to a substrate. The desiccant composition provides for take up of free water in of the film-forming composition, without total reliance on ambient conditions, to advantage. Compositions, methods, techniques and resulting constructions are described. The techniques can be applied in wet thick film applications, but are not limited to such applications.

Techniques and compositions for applying films to a variety of substrates, from water-borne coating compositions, are provided. The techniques involve providing desiccant and applying the desiccant with water-borne film-forming composition, in application to a substrate. The desiccant composition provides for take up of free water in of the film-forming composition, without total reliance on ambient conditions, to advantage. Compositions, methods, techniques and resulting constructions are described. The techniques can be applied in wet thick film applications, but are not limited to such applications.

Compositions include an aerogel component and have low thermal conductivity. Methods for preparing slurries or composites include, for example combining the aerogel component with a surfactant, binder and other ingredients, such as, for instance, fibers. The compositions can be slurries that can be used in coating applications or self supporting rigid composites.