Abstract: A process for preparing aqueous emulsions from high-molecular-weight organopolysiloxanes which are solid at room temperature, in the absence of organic solvents, which comprises dissolving the high-molecular-weight organopolysiloxane which is solid at room temperature in a low-molecular-weight organo(poly)siloxane which is liquid at room temperature, and emulsifying this solution with water in the presence of an emulsifier and other additives, if desired.

Abstract: Structures of inorganic fibers which may contain inorganic particles, flakes or powders, are prepared by adding aqueous silicone resin emulsions containing curing catalysts and emulsifiers to the fiber material, shaping the treated fiber material, and subsequently curing the silicone resin, in which salts or chelates of trivalent iron are employed as the curing catalysts. Iron (III) acetylacetonate is preferably employed as the curing catalyst. The structures are preferably produced in a continuous process in which the aqueous silicone resin emulsion is sprayed onto the fiber material, then the fiber material is compacted to the desired bulk density and the silicone resin is cured by contacting the compacted fiber material with hot gases. Curing of the silicone resin is preferably carried out at a temperature of from 150.degree. to 300.degree. C. over a period of from 5 to 8 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gypsum powders containing a hydrophobic agent and to water-repellent articles which are prepared from gypsum containing powered hydrophobic agents, in which the hydropohobic agents are prepared by spray-drying a mixture containing at least water, an organopolysiloxane having Si-bonded hydrogen and a water-soluble, film-forming polymer having a turbidity point of from 35.degree. to 98.degree. C.