Abstract: A photochromic coating composition contains a silicon-containing precondensate derived from a hydrolysable silane containing a polymerizable functional group on a hydrolysis-stable radical, a photochromic dye, a stabilizer, and nanoscale particles. The coating composition, when applied to transparent plastic and glass substrates and cured, gives a coating having high light stability and good scratch resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to powder-coated substrates bearing on a powder-coated surface a scratch-resistant and abrasion-resistant topcoat of a coating material which comprises: a) condensates based on hydrolyzable silanes containing at least one non-hydrolyzable substituent, the hydrolyzable silanes having an epoxide group on at least one non-hydrolyzable substituent; b) a curing catalyst selected from Lewis bases and alkoxides of titanium, zirconium or aluminium; c) nanoscale particulate inorganic solids having a particle size in the range from 1 to 100 nm; and d) at least one organic monomer, oligomer or polymer containing at least one epoxide group.

Abstract: What is described is a method for producing a thermally shaped substrate coated with a sol-gel coating material, in which the sol-gel coating material comprises one or more hydrolyzable silanes, which may have been hydrolyzed to form a precondensate, and, if desired, a crosslinking agent, at least some of the hydrolyzable silanes containing on a non-hydrolyzable substituent a functional group by way of which crosslinking is possible, and in which A) the sol-gel coating material is applied to a thermally shapable substrate, B) the applied sol-gel coating material is partially precrosslinked and/or dried, C) the substrate coated with the sol-gel coating material is subsequently shaped thermally, and D) during and/or after the thermal shaping the sol-gel coating material is cured completely by means of thermal or photochemical crosslinking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanocomposite for thermal insulation especially for fireproofing purposes, which can be obtained by combining (A) at least 35 wt. % of nanoscaled, optionally surface-modified particles of an inorganic compound; (B) 10-60 wt. % of a compound with at least two functional groups which can react and/or interact with the surface groups of nanoscaled particles (A), (C) 1-40 wt. % of water and/or an organic solvent which has no functional groups or only one which is defined in (B), wherein the above-mentioned percentages relate to the sum of components (A), (B) and (C), and (D)=0-10 wt. % (based on the nanocomposite) of additives.

Abstract: The wet film thickness during spraying of the coating composition onto the substrate is preferably adjusted such that it is greater by a factor of at least 8 than the target dry film thickness.

Abstract: Inorganic multilayered optical systems are produced by applying to a glass substrate a flowable composition containing nanoscale solid inorganic particles containing polymerizable or polycondensable organic surface groups, polymerizing and/or polycondensing those surface groups to form an organically crosslinked layer, applying to the organically crosslinked layer and polymerizing/polycondensing a flowable composition producing a different refractive index from the first layer (optionally repeated one or more times), and one-step thermal densifying and removing the organic components. The systems so produced are suitable as interference filters and antireflection systems.

Abstract: Described is a process for protecting a metallic substrate against corrosion resulting in the formation of a species X, derived from the metal, wherein a coating composition based on (hetero)polysiloxanes prepared by hydrolysis and condensation processes is applied to the substrate and cured, and which is characterized in that the coating composition comprises at least one species Z which reacts or interacts with the metal to form a species Y having a more negative formation enthalpy than the species X.

Abstract: A foundry binder is obtainable by surface modification of a) colloidal inorganic particles with b) one or more silanes of the general formula (I) Rx—Si—A4−x  (I) where the radicals A are identical or different and are hydroxyl groups or groups which can be removed hydrolytically, except methoxy, the radicals R are identical or different and are groups which cannot be removed hydrolytically and x is 0, 1, 2 or 3, where x≧1 in at least 50 mol % of the silanes; under the conditions of the sol-gel process with a below-stoichiometric amount of water, based on the hydrolysable groups which are present, with formation of a nanocomposite sol, and further hydrolysis and condensation of the nanocomposite sol, if desired, before it is brought into contact with the foundry sand.

Abstract: A composite material is described which is characterized by a substrate based on vegetable materials, in particular vegetable fibers, vegetable fiber raw materials or vegetable fiber semifinished products, and by a nanocomposite which is in functional contact with said substrate and is obtainable by surface modification of a) colloidal inorganic particles with b) one or more silanes of the general formula (I) Rx—Si—A4−x  (I) where the radicals A are identical or different and are hydroxyl groups or groups which can be removed hydrolytically, except methoxy, the radicals R are identical or different and are groups which cannot be removed hydrolytically and x is 0, 1, 2 or 3, where x≧1 in at least 50 mol % of the silanes; under the conditions of the sol-gel process with a below-stoichiometric amount of water, based on the hydrolysable groups which are present, with formation of a nanocomposite sol, and further hydrolysis and condensation of the nanocomposite sol, if desired,

Abstract: Described are nanostructured molded articles and layers which are produced by a wet chemical process comprising the following steps: a) provision of a free-flowing composition containing solid nanoscaled inorganic particles having polymerizable and/or polycondensable organic surface groups; b) introduction of said composition of step a) into a mold; or b2) application of said composition of step a) onto a substrate; and c) polymerization and/or polycondensation of the surface groups of said solid particles with formation of a cured molded article or a cured layer.

Abstract: A composite material is described which is characterized by a substrate and by a nanocomposite which is in functional contact with the substrate and is obtainable by surface modification of a) colloidal inorganic particles with b) one or more silanes of the general formula (I) Rx—Si—A4−x  (I) where the radicals A are identical or different and are hydroxyl groups or groups which can be removed hydrolytically, except methoxy, the radicals R are identical or different and are groups which cannot be removed hydrolytically and x is 0, 1, 2 or 3, where x≧1 in at least 50 mol % of the silanes; under the conditions of the sol-gel process with a below-stoichiometric amount of water, based on the hydrolysable groups which are present, with formation of a nanocomposite sol, and further hydrolysis and condensation of the nanocomposite sol, if desired, before it is brought into contact with the substrate, followed by curing, said substrate not being a glass or mineral fiber or a vegeta

Abstract: Optical components have a material-distribution gradient due to nanometer-size particles embedded in a solid matrix. The components are manufactured by forming a dispersion of nanometer-size particles in a liquid, curable matrix material, causing the particles to migrate in the matrix material on the basis of a potential difference to form a distribution gradient, and subsequently curing the matrix material, retaining the distribution gradient. The method is suitable for use in the manufacture of optical lenses with a refractive index gradient.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of compounds based on hydrolyzable silanes containing epoxy groups. The process involves adding one of the following substances to a pre-hydrolyzed silicon compound A with at least one hydrolytically non-separable group which includes an epoxy ring: i) a particulate substance B which can be selected from oxides, oxyhydrates, nitrides or carbides of Si, Al and B, and of transition metals, the particle size being 1-100 nm; ii) a surface-active agent, preferably non-ionic; iii) an aromatic polyol with an average molecular weight not exceeding 1000. The compounds obtained through this process can be used to produce coatings and molded bodies with a range of properties, in particular high scratch resistance, lasting hydrophilic characteristics, corrosion resistance, good adhesion and transparency.