Review article

The paper presents the results of the study of feasibility of obtaining high-quality foamed thermal insulation materials based on a silicate matrix with addition of dolomite. It has been found out that the preliminary activation of a suspension based on a silica-containing component at a temperature of 90°C for 5-7 minutes allows accelerating the coagulation of silica fume and the synthesis of sodium silicates. Optimal foaming conditions for the charge frothing are 650-700°C for 25 minutes. There have been obtained foam silicates with a relatively uniform finely porous structure and stable physical and technical properties with density 0.38-0.48 g/cm³, strength up to 3 MPa, thermal conductivity 0.048-0.054 W/(m·K).