Shaped heat-insulating body and process of making the same

A method for producing shaped heat-insulating bodies based on water-insoluble oxidic metal compounds particularly of the elements silicon and aluminum, clouding agents and other additives, whereby the bodies are thermally hardened and have a heat conductivity of 0.02 to 0.1 W/K.m at temperatures of approximately 300 DEG to 500 DEG C. and are comprised of (a) 100 parts by weight of water-insoluble oxidic metal compounds having a BET-surface of 10 to 700 m2/g, with the provision that at least 5% by weight of these compounds have a BET-surface of at least 50m2/g; (b) 0 to 100 parts by weight of mineral clouding agents having at least one absorption maximum in the wave length range of 1.5 to 10 mu m; and (c) 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of elements capable of forming a solid oxide having a standard formation enthalpy of less than minus 900 kJ/Mol. In addition, 0-100 parts by weight of mineral fibers can be added. The mixture is then put into a mold of the desired shape, compressed to densities between 0.15 to 1 g/cm3, and heated to temperatures between 200 DEG to 900 DEG C. so that a chemical reaction will take place. The cooled heat-insulating body so formed maybe used as a structural element in the building industry, for electrical devices and for various installations.