Abstract: A process of forming a coherent refractory mass on a surface comprises projecting against that surface, together with oxygen, a mixture of refractory particles and fuel which reacts in an exothermic manner with the projected oxygen to release sufficient heat to melt at least the surfaces of the refractory particles and thus form the refractory mass. The projected mixture contains, as fuel, finely divided particles of at least one element which is oxidizable to form a refractory oxide and it also contains carbonaceous particles which are of such a size or composition that carbon particles become occluded in the formed refractory mass. The mixture may contain, as said fuel, finely divided particles having a mean grain size of less than 50 .mu.m of silicon, aluminum and/or magnesium. The carbonaceous particles may comprise a carbonaceous core which is covered by a mantle inhibiting oxidation of the core.

Abstract: In or for a polymeric article incorporating a synthetic polymer and a filler material, which filler material includes glass beads bearing coatings of at least one coating agent in a total coating amount not exceeding 1% and preferably between 0.02% and 0.2%, by weight based on the weight of uncoated beads, which coatings limit adhesion between the glass beads and the synthetic polymer and confer an increased impact resistance on the article as compared with an article which includes uncoated glass beads as filler material but is otherwise identical.

Abstract: In or for a polymeric article incorporating a synthetic polymer and a filler material, which filler material includes glass beads bearing coatings of at least one coating agent in a total coating amount not exceeding 1%, and preferably between 0.02% and 0.2%, by weight based on the weight of uncoated beads, which coatings limit adhesion between the glass beads and the synthetic polymer and confer an increased impact resistance on the article as compared with an article which includes uncoated glass beads as filler material but is otherwise identical. Preferred coating materials include silanes, fluorocarbon compounds and synthetic polymers having shockabsorbing properties, especially synthetic polymers having a glass transition temperature (Tg), determined by differential scanning calorimetry, which is lower than 15.degree. C.

Abstract: A process of forming a coherent refractory mass on a surface comprises projecting against that surface, together with oxygen, a mixture of refractory particles and fuel which reacts in an exothermic manner with the projected oxygen to release sufficient heat to melt at least the surfaces of the refractory particles and thus form the refractory mass. The projected mixture contains, as fuel, finely divided particles of at least one element which is oxidizable to form a refractory oxide and it also contains carbonaceous particles which are of such a size or composition that carbon particles become occluded in the formed refractory mass. The mixture may contain, as said fuel, finely divided particles having a mean grain size of less than 50 .mu.m of silicon, aluminium and/or magnesium. The carbonaceous particles may comprise a carbonaceous core which is covered by a mantle inhibiting oxidation of the core.

Abstract: In or for a polymeric article incorporating a synthetic polymer and a filler material, which filler material includes glass beads bearing coatings of at least one coating agent in a total coating amount not exceeding 1% and preferably between 0.02% and 0.2%, by weight based on the weight of uncoated beads, which coatings limit adhesion between the glass beads and the synthetic polymer and confer an increased impact resistance on the article as compared with an article which includes uncoated glass beads as filler material but is otherwise identical. Preferred coating materials include silanes, fluorocarbon compounds and synthetic polymers having shockabsorbing properties, especially synthetic polymers having a glass transition temperature (Tg), determined by differential scanning calorimetry, which is lower than 15.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to coating glass beads with a mixture of substances which mixture comprises a first substance which if used alone would tend to make the beads hydrophobic while leaving them oleophilic and as second substance which if used alone would tend to make the beads both hydrophobic and oleophobic. Said coated beads maybe used in a synthetic polymeric matrix, as a coating over paint and as a coating on a road surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising an intimate mixture of glass beads and finely divided material, characterized in that the glass beads have a mean diameter of not more than 80 micrometers and a size range spread which is at least half the mean diameter of the beads, and in that said finely divided material is hydrophobic, inorganic and substantially chemically inert with respect to the beads and has a specific surface of at least 50 m.sup.2 /g, such material being present in said mixture in an amount not exceeding 5% by weight of the beads.The surfaces of the beads may be treated with an agent which improves adherence between the beads and a resin matrix, e.g. an agent such that the surfaces of the beads include organo-silane groups.The finely divided material preferably has a specific surface of at least 100 m.sup.2 /g, and may substantially entirely consist of silica.

Abstract: A laminated reflective panel comprises at least one mirror sheet which is less than 2.0 mm in thickness and which bears a reflective coating on its rear face. Each mirror sheet is laminated to a flat glass backing sheet which is thicker than the mirror sheet. The backing sheet is preferably of float glass.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite which includes a mirror panel comprising the steps of water-tightly bonding a first backing sheet made of waterproof material to the rear side of a mirror including a vitreous sheet bearing a radiation-reflecting coating on its rear side, thereby forming a mirror/backing sheet laminate; locating the laminate and a second backing sheet between a pair of dies with the laminate and the second backing positioned in spaced relationship; injecting the space between the laminate and the second backing sheet with a foamable plastic material; allowing or causing the foamable plastic material to foam and thereby press the laminate and the second backing sheet into close conformity with the respective die faces and, allowing or causing the foam to set and adhere to each backing sheet while the laminate and second backing sheet are pressed against the die faces to form a substantially rigid composite sandwich structure.

Abstract: A composite mirror panel comprises a front flexible vitreous sheet 1 whose rear face is provided with a reflective coating 2 to form a mirror 3. A flexible waterproof backing sheet 5 is watertightly bonded at 4 to the rear of the mirror 3 to form a laminate 6. A corrugated backing sheet 8 is bonded to the first backing sheet 5 along crests 9 of the corrugations to form a composite mirror panel which is flexible about axes parallel with the corrugations.The first backing sheet 5 may be of vitreouus material thicker than the mirror sheet 1 or it may be a metal sheet.

Abstract: A method of bonding a first, vitreous sheet to a second sheet to form a laminate which includes the steps of bonding together the sheets using an adhesive material which is at most 250 .mu.m thick and has a viscosity in the range 15 to 300 poises, the adhesive being such that it is settable by evaporation of solvent or by hot or cold curing. The assembly is degassed by subjecting it to sub-atmospheric pressure at a temperature such as to maintain the adhesive viscosity within that range whereafter it is exposed to atmospheric pressure and the adhesive is caused or allowed to set.

Abstract: A flexible radiant energy reflecting surface, including a laminate composed of a metal ply, a glass ply having a front face and a rear face, the glass ply being bonded over its entire rear face to the metal ply, in an inter-ply bond, and a radiant-energy reflecting surface associated with one of the plies. The relative thicknesses of the glass and metal plies, the moduli of elasticity of the glass and metal plies, and the efficiency of the inter-ply bond are such that the rear face of the glass ply is not subjected to tensile stresses when the laminate is flexed, within the elastic limit of the metal, such that the front face of the glass ply has a concave curvature of a radius of 10 meters.

Abstract: A hollow panel is prepared by uniting vitreous sheets by a spacer of synthetic polymeric material between the sheets. Preferably the polymeric material is a mixture including two polymers of substantially different molecular weight. A ribbon made of the polymeric composition is also disclosed.