Inorganic-organic compositions

Claim 2

A porous inorganic-organic composition obtained by reacting a mixture comprising: (A) from 5-98% by weight of an organic polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of (i) organic polyisocyanates which contain ionic groups or groups capable of forming ionic groups in the presence of alkali, and (ii) non-ionic-hydrophilic polyisocyanates prepared by reacting an excess of an organic polyisocyanate with an organic hydrophilic compound containing at least one group which is reactive with isocyanate groups, (B) from 2-95% by weight of an aqueous silica sol containing about 20-60% by weight of said silica, and (C) from 0-93% by weight of an inorganic water-binding component, said water-binding component being capable of absorbing water to form a solid or gel, all of said percents by weight of components (A), (B) and (C) being based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C), said composition being a solid/solid xerosol.

Claim 3

The composition of claim 1 wherein there is at least enough water present in the reaction mixture to combine with substantially all of component (C).

Claim 4

The composition of claim 1 wherein the aqueous silica sol solution contains 25-40% by weight of silica.

Claim 5

The composition of claim 1, wherein the inert liquid boiling at temperatures of from -25° to +50° C is included in the reaction mixture as a blowing agent in a quantity of up to 50% by weight and the reaction mixture is allowed to react to completion while foaming.

Claim 6

The composition of claim 1, wherein the organic polyisocyanate contains from 2-200 milliequivalents of ionic groups or groups capable of forming ionic groups in the presence of alkali per 100 grams of polyisocyanate.

Claim 7

The composition of claim 1, wherein the non-ionic-hydrophilic polyisocyanate is prepared by at least partially reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a polyether which contains at least 10% by weight of ethylene oxide.

Claim 8

The inorganic-organic composition of claim 1, in which the average transverse diameter of the dispersed phase is between 20 nm and 2 microns.

Claim 9

The product of claim 7, wherein the said average diameter is between 50 nm and 700 nm.

Claim 10

The composition of claim 7, wherein both phases are coherent.

Claim 11

The composition of claim 7, which contains an inorganic or organic particulate or powdered filler material.

Claim 12

The composition of claim 7, which contains glass fibers.

Claim 13

The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is based on: (A) 10-80% by weight of said organic polyisocyanate, (B) 20-80% by weight of said aqueous silica sol, and (C) 10-70% by weight of said water-binding component.

Claim 14

The composition of claim 12, wherein the reaction mixture contains a foam stabilizer.

Claim 15

The composition of claim 12, wherein the reaction mixture contains an emulsifying agent.

Claim 16

The composition of claim 12, wherein the mixture contains an inert inorganic particulate or fibrous filler material.

Claim 17

The composition of claim 12, wherein the mixture contains an inert organic particulate or fibrous filler material.

Claim 18

The composition of claim 12, wherein the particle size of the silica particles in said silica is within the range of 7-200 mμ.

Claim 19

The composition of claim 12, wherein the polyisocyanate is an organic prepolymer which contains ionic groups or groups capable of forming ionic groups in the presence of alkali.

Claim 20

The composition of claim 12, wherein the polyisocyanate contains sulphonic acid and/or sulphonate groups.

Claim 21

The composition of claim 12, wherein said water-binding component is a hydraulic cement, synthetic anhydrite, gypsum or burnt lime.

Claim 22

The composition of claim 12, wherein said composition is based on: (A) 10-50% by weight of said organic polyisocyanate, (B) 20-70% by weight of said silica sol, and (C) 20-70% by weight of said water-binding component.

Claim 23

The composition of claim 12, wherein said composition is based on: (A) 10-35% by weight of said organic polyisocyanate, (B) 30-60% by weight of said silica sol, and (C) 30-60% by weight of said water-binding component.

Claim 24

The foamed composition of claim 12, wherein the mixture contains a blowing agent.

Claim 25

The composition of claim 23, wherein said blowing agent is a halogenated hydrocarbon with a boiling point below 100° C.

Claim 26

The composition of claim 12, wherein the mixture contains an activator which accelerates the reaction of isocyanate groups with water.

Claim 27

The composition of claim 25, wherein the activator is a tertiary amine.

Claim 28

A process for preparing a porous inorganic-organic composition comprising reacting a mixture comprising: (A) from 5-98% by weight of an organic polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of (i) organic polyisocyanates which contain ionic groups or groups capable of forming ionic groups in the presence of alkali, and (ii) non-ionic-hydrophilic polyisocyanates prepared by reacting an excess of an organic polyisocyanate with an organic hydrophilic compound containing at least one group which is reactive with isocyanate groups, (B) from 2-95% by weight of an aqeuous silica sol containing about 20-60% by weight of said silica, and (C) from 0-93% by weight of an inorganic water-binding component, said water-binding component being capable of absorbing water to form a solid or gel, all of said percents by weight of components (A), (B) and (C) being based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C), said composition being a solid/solid xerosol.

Claim 29

A process for preparing a porous inorganic-organic composition comprising reacting a mixture comprising: (A) from 5-98% by weight of an organic polyisocyanate selected from the group consisting of (i) organic polyisocyanates which contain ionic groups or groups capable of forming ionic groups in the presence of alkali, and (ii) non-ionic-hydrophilic polyisocyanates prepared by reacting an excess of an organic polyisocyanate with an organic hydrophilic compound containing at least one group which is reactive with isocyanate groups, (B) from 2-95% by weight of an aqeuous silica sol containing about 20-60% by weight of said silica, and (C) from 0-93% by weight of an inorganic water-binding component, said water-binding component being capable of absorbing water to form a solid or gel, all of said percents by weight of components (A), (B) and (C) being based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C), said composition being a solid/solid xerosol.

Claim 30

The process of claim 27 wherein the reaction mixture contains a blowing agent, and wherein the reaction mixture is allowed to react to completion while foaming.