| abstract |
The present invention provides materials, articles, and methods for making and using the same that are relatively light and combine desired mechanical and insulating properties. Composites such as self-supporting hard composites with low thermal conductivity and attractive mechanical properties. For example, a method of preparing such a composite comprising mixing an airgel-containing material with a binder to form a slurry and curing the slurry. At least a part of this curing process takes place under compression. [Selection] Figure 3 |