Engineered low-density heterogeneous microparticles and methods and formulations for producing the microparticles

US8609244B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• James Hardie Technology Limited · IE

Inventors

• Huagang Zhang · Yucaipa, US
• Hamid Hojaji · Kensington, US
• Shannon Marie Labernik · Rancho Cucamonga, US
• David L. Melmeth · Fontana, US
• Thinh Pham · Sydney, AU
• James A. McFarlane · Sydney, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 8, 2006
• Grant date: Dec 17, 2013
• Expiry date: Dec 8, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2982
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A low density material and a method for preparing a low-density material and precursor for forming a low-density material are provided. An aqueous mixture of inorganic primary component and a blowing agent is formed, the mixture is dried and optionally ground to form an expandable precursor. Such a precursor is then fired with activation of the blowing agent being controlled such that it is activated within a predetermined optimal temperature range. The firing conditions are also controlled to provide a low density sphere containing a heterogeneous sphere wall structure comprising a combination of amorphous glass and a crystalline phase or gas phase or both.