Patent ID: 6013705
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: C08G

Abstract:
A method of making a gel from an organopolysiloxane sheet or tube polymer comprising contacting a sheet or tube silicate with an organohalosilane, in the presence of a polar solvent or in the presence of a mixture of a polar solvent and a non-polar solvent; heating the resulting mixture of the sheet or tube silicate, the organohalosilane, and the solvent, until an organopolysiloxane sheet or tube polymer is formed; the organohalosilane being a dihalosilane or trihalosilane having the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 SiX.sub.2 or R.sup.1 SiX.sub.3 wherein X represents a halogen; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group containing 1-30 carbon atoms, an aryl group, an alkaryl group, an aralkyl group or a polar alkyl group; mixing the organopolysiloxane sheet or tube polymer with an alkoxysilane; and allowing the mixture of the organopolysiloxane sheet or tube polymer and the alkoxysilane to stand at room temperature or above, for a time sufficient for gelation to occur.