Abstract: A process for producing shaped bodies having thermally insulating properties and based on foamed alkali metal silicate particles includes silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) and alkali metal oxide (M.sub.2 O) (M is an alkali metal) in a molar ratio of from 2 to 4.5 (SiO.sub.2 :M.sub.2 O), and includes mixing 100 parts by weight of the foamed alkali metal silicate particles with an aqueous solution of monoaluminum phosphate (Al(H.sub.2 PO.sub.4).sub.3) in such a way that the molar ratio Si:Al in the mixture ranges from 1 to 60, placing the mixture in a preselected mold and compacting the mixture to from 20% to 80% of the original volume to give a shaped body and heating the shaped body to a temperature of from 100.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. until a chemical reaction bond between the alkali metal silicate particles and the monoaluminum phosphate has taken place. The shaped bodies so produced can be used as thermal and sound insulation material.

Abstract: A method for producing shaped heat-insulating bodies based on water-insoluble oxidic metal compounds particularly of the elements silicon and aluminum, clouding agents and other additives, whereby the bodies are thermally hardened and have a heat conductivity of 0.02 to 0.1 W/K.m at temperatures of approximately 300.degree. to 500.degree. C. and are comprised of (a) 100 parts by weight of water-insoluble oxidic metal compounds having a BET-surface of 10 to 700 m.sup.2 /g, with the provision that at least 5% by weight of these compounds have a BET-surface of at least 50m.sup.2 /g; (b) 0 to 100 parts by weight of mineral clouding agents having at least one absorption maximum in the wave length range of 1.5 to 10 .mu.m; and (c) 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of elements capable of forming a solid oxide having a standard formation enthalpy of less than minus 900 kJ/Mol. In addition, 0-100 parts by weight of mineral fibers can be added.

Abstract: The invention is an insulating plate capable of being bonded to a substrate comprising a highly disperse inorganic heat-insulating material and a binder, the binder being inhomogeneously distributed in such a manner that in the region near the bonding surface, the content of binder is from 3 to 15% by weight, and, in the remaining region, it is from about 0 to 1.5% by weight. The plate according to the invention may be in the form of a cooking plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-insulating board which has a core and a cover. The core is composed of compacted, finely particulate metal oxide and, optionally, additions of opacifier and fibrous material. The cover is composed in part of metal foil arranged on those faces that are to be directed against the heat flow. The remainder of the cover is composed of a material that inhibits heat flow. A method for manufacturing the board is also disclosed.

Abstract: An agglomerated mixture includes 30-95% by weight of highly dispersed metal oxides produced by flame hydrolysis and 5-70% by weight of inorganic opacifiers that have at least one absorption maximum in the range between 1.5 and 10 .mu.m, selected from the group consisting of inorganic oxides and mixed oxides, carbides and nitrides. The invention also relates to a process of manufacturing the mixtures and to their use as heat-insulating material and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for improving heat insulating articles containing silicon dioxide having a surface area of at least 50 m.sup.2 /g, opacifiers and, if desired, inorganic fibers which comprises treating the surface of the insulating articles with at least one organosilicon compound containing from 1 to 4 silicon atoms to render the same hydrophobic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing hydrophobic silicon dioxide which comprises treating silicon dioxide having a surface area of at least 50 m.sup.2 /g with an organosilicon compound containing from 2 to 4 silicon atoms per molecule, in which at least 2 hydrocarbon radicals are bonded to each silicon atom, and any silicon valences which are not satisfied by hydrocarbon radicals are satisfied by siloxane oxygen atoms and at least one tin compound containing Sn-bonded halogen and/or organic radicals.