Solidification of silicate binder solutions splitting off water on the basis of condensation reactions.

In this process, the solution is transformed into rigid insoluble compounds splitting off water (s. Dehydration) and generating macromolecules with a high degree of cross-linking. This depends on viscosity, density and the foreign ion content of the solution.

Typical sol-gel transformations include the hardening process of the water glass CO₂ process.

Additional references:
Inorganic binder systems
Organic binder systems
Water glass