Abstract: A vacuum insulation panel, comprising a thermally insulating plate with an planar topside and underside and a narrow side in an enclosure comprising a metal-containing film (foil), with a subatmospheric pressure prevailing in the enclosure and the enclosure surrounding the thermally insulating plate in a vacuum-tight manner. The enclosure has, on the narrow side, a weld seam with a projecting section of the foil. The narrow sides of the plate are beveled and the vacuum insulation panel is in the form of a parallelepiped. The weld seam with the projecting section of foil is arranged in such a manner that it allows the vacuum insulation panels to be assembled without gaps to form an insulating enclosure.

Abstract: Heat insulation for underwater components comprises a heat-insulating molding surrounding the component and a resilient water-resistant envelope surrounding the heat-insulating molding, wherein the heat-insulating molding is a nanoporous, mesoporous or microporous material based on precipitated or pyrogenic silica, arc silica, and/or aerogel.

Abstract: A vacuum insulation panel, comprising a thermally insulating plate with an planar topside and underside and a narrow side in an enclosure comprising a metal-containing film (foil), with a subatmospheric pressure prevailing in the enclosure and the enclosure surrounding the thermally insulating plate in a vacuum-tight manner. The enclosure has, on the narrow side, a weld seam with a projecting section of the foil. The narrow sides of the plate are beveled and the vacuum insulation panel is in the form of a parallelepiped. The weld seam with the projecting section of foil is arranged in such a manner that it allows the vacuum insulation panels to be assembled without gaps to form an insulating enclosure.

Abstract: A thermal insulation molding having a density of 150-500 kg/m3, includes a thermal insulation material, containing 5%-75% by weight of pyrogenic silica (HDK), 5%-50% by weight of electric-arc silica, 5%-50% by weight of opacifier, wherein the electric-arc silica has a bulk density of <200 kg/m3, a carbon content of <0.1% by weight, an alkali metal oxide content of <0.2% by weight, an alkaline-earth metal oxide content of <0.3% by weight, an SO3 content of <0.05% by weight and a specific surface area of >30 m2/g.

Abstract: An immobilizing structure for use in immobilizing a ceramic monolith in a catalytic converter employs a molding which comprises finely divided metal oxide and fibers which do not represent a health risk, has a density of 100-240 kg/m3, and has a compression to at least 96% of its original thickness at a pressure of 1 bar applied for a period of 5 minutes, and exhibits a recovery of this compression to more than 70% of its initial value within about one minute after removal of the pressure.

Abstract: A thermal insulation molding having a density of 150-500 kg/m3, includes a thermal insulation material, containing 5-75% by weight of pyrogenic silica (HDK), 5%-50% by weight of electric-arc silica, 5%-50% by weight of opacifier, wherein the electric-arc silica has a bulk density of <200 kg/m3, a carbon content of <0.1% by weight, an alkali metal oxide content of <0.2% by weight, an alkaline-earth metal oxide content of <0.3% by weight, an SO3 content of <0.05% by weight and a specific surface area of >30 m2/g.

Abstract: A heat insulating molded body made of inorganic material and inorganic reinforcement fibers is disclosed, as well as a process for producing the same and its use. The molded body is characterized by the following composition: (a) 30-70 wt. % blown vermiculite; (b) 15-40 wt. % inorganic binder; (c) 0-20 wt. % infrared opacifier; (d) 15-50 wt. % microporous material; (e) 0.5-8 wt. % reinforcement fibers which contain maximum 2 wt. % B2O3 and at most 2% alkalimetal oxide, based on the weight of the reinforcing fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a panel-shaped, evacuated and thermally insulating molded element which contains pressed and optionally hardened, microporous insulating material, wherein the insulating material is in one or more sheathed and evacuated layers, and the molded element has a surface with a lamellar structure, the lamellae being produced by elongate incisions into the surface and having a depth of 40 to 95% of the thickness of the molded element. The invention also relates to a method of insulation for curved surfaces with thermally insulating material, wherein the molded element is made to fit with the surface with a lamellar structure snugly against the curved surface, is fixed in position, and the vacuum is destroyed in at least one layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixture for producing a heat-insulating molding, comprising from 20% to 99% by weight of microporous, oxidic inorganic material, from 0% to 50% by weight of opacifier, from 0% to 50% by weight of fiber material and from 0% to 15% by weight of inorganic binding material, and from 1% to 20% of a combustible component which on heat treatment burns with virtually no residue leaving behind pores in the finished molding. The invention also relates to a process for producing the molding.

Abstract: A process for the production of a microporous body having heat insulation properties by(a) mixing of(I) 0.5%-60% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of magnesium carbonate/calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate/calcium hydroxide(II) 5%-95% by weight of highly dispersed SiO.sub.2 with a content of 0%-20% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 (based on the SiO.sub.2 employed);(III) 0%-60% by weight of an opacifying agent having at least one absorption maximum in the wavelength range of 1.5-10 .mu.m; and(IV) 0.1%-10% by weight of an organic fiber selected from the group consisting of cellulose fibers and carbon fibers;(b) compressing the mixture prepared to form a shaped article; and(c) heating the shaped article under oxidizing conditions produced at a temperature between 750.degree. C. to 950.degree. C. to oxidize the organic fibers and to produce the microporous body.

Abstract: A radiant heater, in particular for heating a glass-ceramic hot plate, has an area bearing an electrical heating element, with this area being the surface of an insulator which comprises a mounting layer and/or a thermally insulating microporous insulation layer, and having a dish-shaped enclosure which forms an annulus surrounding the insulator. The radiant heater has the mounting layer and/or the enclosure and/or the microporous insulation layer comprising a highly porous, fiber-free inorganic material, for example vermiculite. A particularly preferred embodiment provides for a fiber-free radiant heater.