Abstract: Fire resistant glazings comprise a fire resistant interlayer based upon a silicate waterglass are characterized by the incorporation of aluminum ions. The aluminate is incorporated as a solution which has been partially neutralized using hydroxycarboxylic acid which is preferably citric acid. The incorporation of aluminum provides glazings have improved fire resistance and impact properties.

Abstract: Fire resistant glazings having improved properties comprising a silicate based interlayer which contains from 35% to 43% by weight of water may be produced using a cast in place process. The amount of water in the interlayer is reduced by concentrating the silicate solution or by introducing silica in the form of a silica sol. Preferably a mixture of an aqueous sol and an organosol is used. Polyhydroxy compounds and saccharides may be incorporated into the interlayer to improve the properties thereof and to reduce the water content. The silicate based formulations are pourable and can be used in a cast in place production process and subsequently cured to form an optically clear interlayer.

Abstract: A transparent fire resistant glazing comprising an intumescent interlayer, wherein the intumescent interlayer comprises an alkali metal silicate and a foam improvement additive, wherein the foam improvement additive comprises a polymer and/or oligomer and/or salts thereof, wherein said polymer, oligomer and/or salts thereof each contain at least one organic moiety having at least one hydrogen-bondable functional group covalently attached thereto.

Abstract: The incorporation of polyvalent metal ions into a silicate based interlayer in a laminated fire resistant glazing produced using a cast in place process provides an improvement in the properties of those glazings. The preferred metal ions are aluminium ions and zirconium ions. The preferred polyvalent metal compounds are those which are disclosed in EP 1206349 and WO 2004/014813.

Abstract: Fire resistant glazings having improved properties comprising a silicate based interlayer which contains from 35% to 43% by weight of water may be produced using a cast in place process. The amount of water in the interlayer is reduced by concentrating the silicate solution or by introducing silica in the form of a silica sol. Preferably a mixture of an aqueous sol and an organosol is used. Polyhydroxy compounds and saccharides may be incorporated into the interlayer to improve the properties thereof and to reduce the water content. The silicate based formulations are pourable and can be used in a cast in place production process and subsequently cured to form an optically clear interlayer.

Abstract: Bilayer materials are produced by drying a solution of an alkali metal silicate upon the surface of a flexible backing material until a flexible silicate film is produced. The film may be separated from the backing material and incorporated into laminated fire resistant glazings. The alkali metal silicate solution preferably comprise a surfactant. The bilayers may be transported or stored before the flexible silicate film is separated and incorporated into a glazing.

Abstract: A transparent fire resistant glazing comprising an intumescent interlayer, wherein the intumescent interlayer comprises an alkali metal silicate and a foam improvement additive, wherein the foam improvement additive comprises a polymer and/or oligomer and/or salts thereof, wherein said polymer, oligomer and/or salts thereof each contain at least one organic moiety having at least one hydrogen-bondable functional group covalently attached thereto.

Abstract: A stable aqueous solution for the production of fire resistant glazings comprising: at least one alkali metal silicate; and an aqueous solution of at least one alkali-soluble anion of an acidic or amphoteric oxide and/or a complex thereof; and/or at least one alkali-soluble hydroxide, and/or alkali-soluble complex of elements selected from the group consisting of lithium, magnesium and calcium.

Abstract: A fire-resistant laminated glazing comprising at least two glazing panes and at least one transparent intumescent interlayer between the glazing panes, said glazing panes being separated by a spacer extending at least partially around their peripheries so as to define a cavity to contain said interlayer, wherein the spacer comprises a shim for controlling the separation between the glazing panes to a predetermined distance and a rubber portion at least partially enclosing the shim, and wherein the interlayer comprises an alkali metal silicate.

Abstract: Fire resistant glazings having improved properties comprising a silicate based interlayer which contains from 35% to 43% by weight of water may be produced using a cast in place process. The amount of water in the interlayer is reduced by concentrating the silicate solution or by introducing silica in the form of a silica sol. Preferably a mixture of an aqueous sol and an organosol is used. Polyhydroxy compounds and saccharides may be incorporated into the interlayer to improve the properties thereof and to reduce the water content. The silicate based formulations are pourable and can be used in a cast in place production process and subsequently cured to form an optically clear interlayer.

Abstract: Fire resistant glazings having improved properties comprising a silicate based interlayer which contains from 35% to 43% by weight of water may be produced using a cast in place process. The amount of water in the interlayer is reduced by concentrating the silicate solution or by introducing silica in the form of a silica sol. Preferably a mixture of an aqueous sol and an organosol is used. Polyhydroxy compounds and saccharides may be incorporated into the interlayer to improve the properties thereof and to reduce the water content. The silicate based formulations are pourable and can be used in a cast in place production process and subsequently cured to form an optically clear interlayer.

Abstract: Solutions comprising a sodium silicate waterglass having a modulus of less than 3 and at least 8% by weight of an organic polyhydroxy compound such as glycerol are useful in the production of interlayers used in fire resistant glass laminates. The solutions are dried on a flat surface such as glass to produce a clear intumescent interlayer having improved impact resistance. The dried interlayer may be removed from the surface in the form of an elastomeric material which may also be used as an interlayer in a fire resistant glazing.

Abstract: The incorporation of polyvalent metal ions into a silicate based interlayer in a laminated fire resistant glazing produced using a cast in place process provides an improvement in the properties of those glazings. The preferred metal ions are aluminium ions and zirconium ions. The preferred polyvalent metal compounds are those which are disclosed in EP 1206349 and WO 2004/014813.

Abstract: Fire resistant glazings comprise a fire resistant interlayer based upon a silicate waterglass are characterised by the incorporation of aluminium ions. The aluminate is incorporated as a solution which has been partially neutralised using hydroxycarboxylic acid which is preferably citric acid. The incorporation of aluminium provides glazings have improved fire resistance and impact properties.

Abstract: Process for the production of an intumescent fire resistant layer by drying a waterglass solution on the surface of a glass substrate are carried out in the presence of a salt of a carbonic acid or an ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid such as potassium citrate. The drying is preferably carried out at a rate which reduces of pH of the solution by no more than 2 units during an initial drying period of 5 hours. The resulting interlayers provide improved fire resistance.

Abstract: Novel waterglass compositions comprise a zirconium containing anionic aggregate, preferably potassium zirconium carbonate or ammonium zirconium carbonate, in a quantity sufficient to provide at least 0.5% as zirconium metal. The compositions can be dried and/or gelled to form optically clear interlayers useful in the production of fire resistant glass laminates. The incorporation of the zirconium containing aggregate improves the fire resistant performance of the laminates.

Abstract: Solutions comprising a sodium silicate waterglass having a modulus of less than 3 and at least 8% by weight of an organic polyhydroxy compound such as glycerol are useful in the production of interlayers used in fire resistant glass laminates. The solutions are dried on a flat surface such as glass to produce a clear intumescent interlayer having improved impact resistance. The dried interlayer may be removed from the surface in the form of an elastomeric material which may also be used as an interlayer in a fire resistant glazing.

Abstract: Novel waterglass compositions comprise a zirconium containing anionic aggregate, preferably potassium zirconium carbonate or ammonium zirconium carbonate, in a quantity sufficient to provide at least 0.5% as zirconium metal. The compositions can be dried and/or gelled to form optically clear interlayers useful in the production of fire resistant glass laminates. The incorporation of the zirconium containing aggregate improves the fire resistant performance of the laminates.

Abstract: Process for the production of an intumescent fire resistant layer by drying a waterglass solution on the surface of a glass substrate are carried out in the presence of a salt of a carbonic acid or an &agr;-hydroxy carboxylic acid such as potassium citrate. The drying is preferably carried out at a rate which reduces of pH of the solution by no more than 2 units during an initial drying period of 5 hours. The resulting interlayers provide improved fire resistance.

Abstract: Solutions comprising a sodium silicate waterglass having a modulus of less than 3 and at least 8% by weight of an organic polyhydroxy compound such as glycerol are useful in the production of interlayers used in fire resistant glass laminates. The solutions are dried on a flat surface such as glass to produce a clear intumescent interlayer having improved impact resistance. The dried interlayer may be removed from the surface in the form of an elastomeric material which may also be used as an interlayer in a fire resistant glazing.