Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrophobized silica aerogel, comprising the following steps: a) preparing a hydrophobized silica gel comprising alkoxy groups; b) drying of the hydrophobized silica gel obtained in step a); c) treatment of the product obtained in step b) with a gas mixture comprising water and a base or an acid. A hydrophobized silica aerogel with a reduced alkoxy group content, suitable for thermal insulation applications, is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an aerogel material based on amorphous silica, comprising the following steps: a) preparing a mixture comprising silica sol, alcohol, and a hydrophobizing agent activatable by acid catalysis; b1) adding a base to the mixture formed in step a) and mixing the resulting mixture; b2) gelation of the mixture comprising silica sol obtained in step b2), resulting in the formation of a silica gel, and optional aging of the gel; c) adding a hydrophobization catalyst to the silica gel formed in step b2) and optionally aged, in-situ formation or controlled release of a hydrophobization catalyst, and initiation of the catalyzed hydrophobization of the silica; d) removing the volatile constituents of the mixture formed in step c) by subcritical drying, resulting in the formation of the aerogel material, wherein at least steps b2) to d) are carried out in the same reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal insulating composition, containing 5 to 60% by weight of a hydrophobized granular material comprising fumed silica and at least one IR-opacifier, and 40 to 95% by weight of an inorganic and/or an organic binder, whereby the hydrophobized granular material has a content of free hydroxyl groups of no greater than 0.12 mmol/g, as determined by the reaction with lithium aluminium hydride.

Abstract: Hydrophobized granular material comprising from 30 to 95% by weight of a pyrogenic mixed oxide based on silica and at least one oxide of metal M selected from of Al, Ti and Fe with the content of metal M oxide in the mixed oxide being from 01 to 10% by weight, and from 5 to 70% by weight of at least one IR-opacifier selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, zirconium dioxide, ilmenites, iron titanates, zirconium silicates, manganese oxides, graphites, carbon blacks and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrophobized silica aerogel, comprising the following steps: a) preparing a hydrophobized silica gel comprising alkoxy groups; b) drying of the hydrophobized silica gel obtained in step a); c) treatment of the product obtained in step b) with a gas mixture comprising water and a base or an acid. A hydrophobized silica aerogel with a reduced alkoxy group content, suitable for thermal insulation applications, is also provided.

Abstract: Hydrophobized granular material comprising from 30 to 95% by weight of a pyrogenic mixed oxide based on silica and at least one oxide of metal M selected from of Al, Ti and Fe with the content of metal M oxide in the mixed oxide being from 01 to 10% by weight, and from 5 to 70% by weight of at least one IR-opacifier selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, zirconium dioxide, ilmenites, iron titanates, zirconium silicates, manganese oxides, graphites, carbon blacks and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal insulating composition, containing 5 to 60% by weight of a hydrophobized granular material comprising fumed silica and at least one IR-opacifier, and 40 to 95% by weight of an inorganic and/or an organic binder, whereby the hydrophobized granular material has a content of free hydroxyl groups of no greater than 0.12 mmol/g, as determined by the reaction with lithium aluminium hydride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an aerogel material based on amorphous silica, comprising the following steps: a) preparing a mixture comprising silica sol, alcohol, and a hydrophobizing agent activatable by acid catalysis; b1) adding a base to the mixture formed in step a) and mixing the resulting mixture; b2) gelation of the mixture comprising silica sol obtained in step b2), resulting in the formation of a silica gel, and optional aging of the gel; c) adding a hydrophobization catalyst to the silica gel formed in step b2) and optionally aged, in-situ formation or controlled release of a hydrophobization catalyst, and initiation of the catalyzed hydrophobization of the silica; d) removing the volatile constituents of the mixture formed in step c) by subcritical drying, resulting in the formation of the aerogel material, wherein at least steps b2) to d) are carried out in the same reactor.

Abstract: A formulation for the coating of substrates, the formulation including 5 to 70 wt % of hydroxy-functional fluoropolymers, 5 to 70 wt % of polyesters based on dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof and on aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diols or polyols, the polyester including at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid or derivatives thereof, 2 to 25 wt % of crosslinkers, 0.01 to 2 wt % of crosslinking catalysts, up to 20 wt % of UV absorbers and up to 10 wt % of UV stabilizers.

Abstract: Process for the simple and practical application of a relatively thick heat-insulating layer to a surface to be insulated by: (a) applying a porous substrate consisting of a spacer fabric to the surface of an article, which surface is to be insulated; (b) filling the porous substrate with a heat-insulating formulation; (c) curing the formulation filled into the porous substrate.

Abstract: A semifinished product is disclosed and includes a high-quality, weather-resistant coating. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the semifinished product and the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of epoxy-terminated polydiene having terminal epoxy groups as oxygen scavenger, in particular as constituent in packaging.

Abstract: A formulation for the coating of substrates, the formulation including 5 to 70 wt % of hydroxy-functional fluoropolymers, 5 to 70 wt % of polyesters based on dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids or derivatives thereof and on aliphatic or cycloaliphatic diols or polyols, the polyester including at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid or derivatives thereof, 2 to 25 wt % of crosslinkers, 0.01 to 2 wt % of crosslinking catalysts, up to 20 wt % of UV absorbers and up to 10 wt % of UV stabilizers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of epoxy-terminated polydiene having terminal epoxy groups as oxygen scavenger, in particular as constituent in packaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technology for the treatment of materials for exposed outdoor use with a high-grade, abrasion-resistant surface coating based on a formulation comprising crosslinkable fluoropolymers. The invention further relates to particular embodiments for the surface coating.

Abstract: The invention relates to surface enhancements for composite mouldings made from polymeric materials and to the use thereof in solar systems. These solar systems may be solar reflectors for concentrating solar radiation, flexible photovoltaic composite films, or CPV (Concentrated Photovoltaics) lenses for concentrating solar radiation. The surface enhancement comprises a self-healing coating based on crosslinkable fluoropolymers, e.g. PFEVE (polyfluoroethylene alkylvinyl ethers). These coatings exhibit good optical properties, can be used in outdoor applications, more particularly in solar applications, over very long periods of time, exhibit self-cleaning properties, and in particular are self-healing in relation to mechanical damage—such as scratching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to laminated solar concentration devices and to the production thereof from polymeric materials. The inventive solar concentration devices can be employed in photovoltaic systems or in solar thermal energy systems. The inventive solar concentration devices comprise Fresnel lenses and enable the efficient concentration of solar radiation onto objects such as solar cells or absorber units, irrespective of the geometry thereof. This relates, for example, to the area of a high-performance solar cell as used in concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), and equally to absorbers which are used in concentrated solar thermal energy systems (CSP). The invention in particular relates to the use of an UV- and weathering-stabilizer package for said laminated solar concentration devices, for improving optical lifetime and weathering resistance, and for preventing delamination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a concentrator for focusing solar radiation, having surface structuring in the form of one or more Fresnel lenses on the lower side, and to the production thereof from polymeric materials by means of a specific extrusion process. The inventive concentrator can be employed in plants utilizable for photovoltaic or solar heating purposes, and has the required durability and performance in demanding climatic zones. The inventive concentrator enables particularly economic production and efficient concentration of solar radiation onto objects such as solar cells or absorber units, irrespective of the geometry thereof. The inventive concentrator has high longevity and—combined with this—high optical performance when employed in extreme and demanding climatic zones.

Abstract: A transparent plastic foil with improved weathering resistance and increased intrinsic stability is provided. The foil contains a) poly(meth)acrylate and polyvinylidene fluoride in a ratio of from 1:0.01 to 1:0.5 (w/w); and b) a mixture containing a UV stabilizer and a UV absorber. Use of the foil as a protective coating is also included.

Abstract: The invention describes a composite in which solar cells can be encapsulated, being a photovoltaic module, composed of the following elements: an outer layer made of a transparent thermoplastic and/or a barrier foil, and an elastic layer into which the solar cells have been embedded and a barrier foil or a barrier sheet.