Aqueous compositions, precursor systems and application systems

A precursor composition for use in the preparation of an aqueous gel-forming composition comprising an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate and at least one organic liquid selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxy alcohols, mineral oils, liquid paraffin oils, glycol ethers, silicone oils and mixtures thereof, characterized in that the molar ratio of SiO2:X2O for the alkali metal silicate is from 3.6:1 to 10:1, wherein X represents the alkali metal, and wherein X is preferably sodium, potassium, lithium or a mixture thereof, more preferably sodium or potassium or a mixture thereof, more preferably sodium.

A substrate, being other than an article or part of an article substantially formed only of foamed polymer, the substrate being coated, impregnated or otherwise applied with a dried, or cured and dried, composition comprising:

• (a) from 5% to 40% by weight of an aluminosilicate comprising alkali metal aluminate and alkali metal silicate,
• (b) from 0.1% to 10% by weight of an organic liquid,
• wherein the organic liquid has a boiling point of greater than 110° C., characterized in that the molar ratio of SiO2:X2O for the alkali metal silicate is from 3.6:1 to 10:1, wherein X represents the alkali metal of the alkali metal silicate and the alkali metal aluminate is expressed using a molar ratio of Y2O:Al2O3 of 1.35:1, where Y represents the alkali metal of the alkali metal aluminate.