Abstract: A heat insulating coating material is provided by admixing an alkali metal silicate binder and water with aggregates comprising silica-containing inorganic refractory fibers, silica-containing porous refractory materials and silica-containing powdery refractory materials. The alkali metal silicate binder can be replaced by a phosphate binder, depending upon the nature of an atmosphere, and finely divided metals can be incorporated into the aggregates.

Abstract: Polyurethane compositions formed by the reaction of polyisocyanate with bark and/or bark components such as tannins, as the source of polyol. Mixtures of bark material with conventional polyols, with the bark material comprising at least 30% by weight, may also be used. Polyurethane foams prepared by this process possess a high degree of thermal stability and are fire-retardant.

Abstract: A non-combustible molding material is produced from (a) a hydraulic inorganic mixture consisting of an inorganic substance composed predominantly of silica and an inorganic substance predominantly of calcium oxide, (b) mineral fibers, and (c) a substance selected from the group consisting bitumen, crystalline aluminum oxide, sulfur, metal sulfide and vanadum oxide. A non-combustible molded article having superior flexural strength and low water absorption can be prepared using said material.

Abstract: Low-density microcellular foam having a cell size of not greater than 2 .mu.m and method of making by dissolving cellulose acetate in an acetone-based solvent, gelling the solution in a water bath maintained at 0.degree.-10.degree. C for a selected period of time to allow impurities to diffuse out, freezing the gel, and then freeze-drying wherein water and solvents sublime and the gel structure solidifies into low-density microcellular foam. The foam has a density of 0.065 to 0.6.times.10.sup.3 kg/m.sup.3 and cell size of about 0.3 to 2 .mu.m. The small cell size foam is particularly applicable for encapsulation of laser targets.

Abstract: Cellular fused silica having a bimodal closed cell structure is produced by mixing finely divided silica with finely divided boron oxynitride as a cellulating agent and heating the mixture to a temperature of at least the melting point of the silica, whereby the silica melts and is cellulated by gas generated as a result of decomposition of the boron oxynitride. The cellular silica consists of a multiplicity of primary closed cells defined by a matrix consisting essentially of silica, the matrix also containing a multiplicity of secondary macroscopic closed cells which are at least an order of magnitude smaller than the primary cells. Cellular fused silica bodies according to the invention are characterized by superior mechanical strength in addition to extreme whiteness and high purity of color, as well as other desirable properties, and are particularly useful for high temperature thermal insulation. Carefully controlled and defined shapes having very smooth surfaces may be obtained.

Abstract: Aluminium powder is ground in an organic liquid in the presence of a hydrophillic polymer; in particular, a high molecular weight wax, to produce a paste of aluminium powder coated with the hydrophillic polymer, whereby the aluminium powder is readily dispersible in water.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed fireproof product of magnesium oxychloride cement and the resulting product. A porous substrate is impregnated with a foaming mixture of magnesium chloride, magnesium oxide, and frothing agent in water. The mixture hardens with small voids throughout the porous substrate, thus providing a fireproof product of low density. The foamed product may be formed in a mold with fibrous elements introduced into the foaming mixture. The fireproof products of relatively low density are particularly valuable for building and construction purposes. Magnesium powder is the preferred frothing agent which, in combination with a surfactant, induces a large volume of small bubbles that remain in the composition as it is set.

Abstract: A molded foam can be easily obtained by blending pullulan, modified pullulan or a mixture thereof with a foaming agent capable of yielding a gas at below the decomposition temperature thereof, and, if necessary, with a plasticizer or softener, and then molding the resulting mixture according to a conventional thermoplastic resin-molding process at a temperature at which the said pullulan, modified pullulan or mixture thereof is in a plastified state, and at a temperature above the gas-yielding temperature of said foaming agent and below the decomposition temperature of said pullulan, modified pullulan or mixture thereof. The molded foam thus obtained is not only well comparable in mechanical, chemical and physical properties to molded foams composed of conventional thermoplastic synthetic resins, but also has such excellent characteristics that it can spontaneously be decomposed on standing outdoors, and hence can be easily discarded without any such fear as to cause environmental pollution.

Abstract: Products of a generally spherical nature with particulate matter embedded in the walls are prepared by forming a suspension of said particulate matter in a solution of a film-forming substance in a volatile solvent, spray drying said suspension-solution thereby forming the product which may be further dried if necessary to remove solvent and to "set" the walls. Such products can be used to provide pigmenting, reactive and/or fire retardant properties to organic systems to which they are added as fillers. The density of the product can also be controlled by this method for use as fillers in applications in which segregation of such fillers from the plastic matrix is normally a problem.

Abstract: A process for rapidly producing a substantially uniform, solid, cellular thermoplastic article comprising the steps of: (a) charging a vessel with (1) a solid thermoplastic polymer, (2) a solvent mixture the amount of which in the range of from about 25-50% by weight of said polymer boils at or below 0.degree.C. and to prevent shrinkage the minor amount of which in the range of from about 3-30% by weight of said polymer boils at or near 20.degree.C.