Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a ring-opening polymerization product by reacting at least one polyisocyanate and 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid and subjecting the reaction product to a temperature within the range of from about 40 to about 150° C. in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one non-nucleophilic base. The obtained polymerization product may be present as a foam and is suitable as binder, insulation material, sealant or coating and in the production of mattresses or wound pads.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition comprising: dispersing expanded polymeric microspheres into a liquid dispersion, optionally wherein the liquid dispersion comprises an aqueous dispersion; and incorporating the liquid dispersion comprising expanded polymeric microspheres into the cementitious composition; wherein the expanded polymeric microspheres are present in the liquid dispersion in an amount of about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion, prior to incorporation into the cementitious composition. An admixture for cementitious compositions comprising unexpanded polymeric microspheres and sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface-modified polyolefin fibers, the use of these fibers in hydraulic binder compositions, hydraulic binder compositions containing these fibers and a method for reinforcing hydraulic binder compositions.

Abstract: A freeze-thaw damage resistance and scaling damage resistance admixture for a cementitious composition including an aqueous slurry comprising a water insoluble superabsorbent polymer and expandable polymeric microspheres. A method for preparing a freeze-thaw damage resistant and scaling damage resistant cementitious composition including forming a mixture of a hydraulic cement and an admixture including an aqueous slurry of a water insoluble superabsorbent polymer and expanded polymeric microspheres.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition comprising: dispersing expanded polymeric microspheres into a liquid dispersion, optionally wherein the liquid dispersion comprises an aqueous dispersion; and incorporating the liquid dispersion comprising expanded polymeric microspheres into the cementitious composition; wherein the expanded polymeric microspheres are present in the liquid dispersion in an amount of about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion, prior to incorporation into the cementitious composition. An admixture for cementitious compositions comprising unexpanded polymeric microspheres and sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A geopolymer foam formulation, comprising at least one inorganic binder comprising metakaolin; at least one alkaline activator selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal aluminates, alkali metal silicates and mixtures thereof; at least one alkyl-polyglucoside surfactant; a gas phase and water. This formulation can also comprise a cement, and also additives for foam stabilization, shrinkage reduction, flexibilization, hydrophobization, or dispersion, fibres and fillers or a mixture thereof, and can be a single-component or two-component formulation. An incombustible, sound-absorbing, thermally insulating geopolymer foam element.

Abstract: The present invention suggests a curable organic polymer comprising at least one acylurea unit represented by structural formula (I): Moreover, the present invention suggests a process for the preparation of said polymer and the use of said curable organic polymer for the preparation of a cured composition and for the preparation of hydroxyurethanes.

Abstract: A composite material includes a cementitious composition and a plurality of fibers disposed in the cementitious composition. Each of the plurality of fibers includes a plastic component. Each of the plurality of fibers further includes a surfactant and a metal oxide, each independently heterogeneously dispersed throughout each of the plurality of fibers. A method of forming the composite material includes the step of combining the plastic component, the surfactant, and the metal oxide, to form the plurality of fibers. The method further includes the step of disposing the plurality of fibers in the cementitious composition to form the composite material.

Abstract: Proposed is a polycondensation product comprising as monomer components at least one aryl polyoxyalkylene ether, at least one vicinally disubstituted aromatic compound, at least one aldehyde and also optionally further aromatic compounds; processes for preparing same, and also use thereof as dispersant for aqueous suspensions of inorganic binders and as grinding assistant for inorganic binders.

Abstract: An elongated pipe may include a fiber reinforced polymer composite joining member for joining sections of pipe together. A pipe joint and elongated pipe may include at least two pipe sections having ends that are joined together with the joining member. The pipe joint and elongated pipe are formed by joining abutting ends of adjacent pipe sections with the joining member without the need for the adjacent pipe sections to have other connection means, such as standard bell and spigot end connections. A method may include joining pipe sections with the joining member to make an elongated pipe.

Abstract: A method for producing a geopolymer foam is proposed, comprising providing a foamable formulation, foaming the formulation, and allowing the foamed formulation to harden. The foamable formulation comprises at least one inorganic binder selected from the group consisting of latent hydraulic binders, pozzolanic binders and mixtures thereof; at least one alkaline activator selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal aluminates, alkali metal silicates and mixtures thereof; at least one surfactant; nanocellulose and water. The mechanical properties of the foam are improved by incorporating nanocellulose.

Abstract: A hybrid sacrificial galvanic anode, an anodic system including the hybrid sacrificial anode, and a method of cathodically protecting steel reinforcement in concrete structures is provided. The hybrid anode provides initial steel polarization followed by long term galvanic protection without the use of batteries or external power supplies.

Abstract: A sacrificial galvanic anode, an anodic assembly including the sacrificial anode, and a method of cathodically protecting steel reinforcement in concrete structures from corrosion is provided. The sacrificial galvanic anode comprises at least one sacrificial metal helical coil. The galvanic anode is easily fabricated and occupies a minimum volume within a steel reinforced concrete structure while providing maximum surface area for sacrificial corrosion.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for expanding a slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere is disclosed. The apparatus and method expand the slurry of thermally expandable thermoplastic microsphere without any direct contact to a fluid heat transfer medium. The apparatus and method utilize a distribution pipe attached to an outlet pipe.

Abstract: A geopolymer foam formulation, comprising at least one inorganic binder selected from the group consisting of latently hydraulic binders, pozzolanic binders and mixtures thereof; at least one alkaline activator selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal aluminates, alkali metal silicates and mixtures thereof; at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants and mixtures thereof; a gas phase and water. This formulation can also comprise a cement, and also additives for foam stabilization, shrinkage reduction, flexibilization, hydrophobization, or dispersion, fibers and fillers or a mixture thereof, and can be a single-component or two-component formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationic copolymers, a process for the production of these cationic copolymers and the use of these cationic copolymers as dispersants for geopolymer binder systems. These cationic copolymers where the cationic charge is due to the presence of certain cyclic and/or polycationic groups are stable towards Hoffmann elimination that would otherwise occur at very high pH values. Moreover, the dispersing effect of cationic polymers can be further enhanced through the addition of polyvalent anions.

Abstract: Provided is a header composition for an expansion joint system. The header composition includes a hybrid polyurea-polyurethane composition and is designed to have a short cure time at low temperatures. Also provided are an expansion joint system incorporating the hybrid polyurea-polyurethane header composition and a method for applying the header composition into the expansion joint system.

Abstract: Fibers with crystallization seeds attached to its surface, method of making such composite fibers by surface treatment of fibers followed by either treating such fibers with premade crystallization seeds or by precipitation and direct crystallization of seeds onto pretreated fibers. Controlling and tuning the properties of inorganic binder compositions with fiber-bound crystallization seeds and thereby generating inorganic binder compositions with tailor-made characteristics.

Abstract: 2-hydroxyethyl 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylates of formula (I): wherein one of R1 and R2 can be hydrogen. R1 and R2, if not hydrogen, and in each case independently of one another, are selected from straight-chain, branched or cyclic C1-22-alkyl groups, preferably C1-12-alkyl groups, C6-12-aryl groups, C6-18-aralkyl groups and C6-18-alkaryl groups, wherein R1 and/or R2, in each case independently of one another, may comprise at least one additional functional group, selected from hydroxyl groups, ether groups, ester groups, epoxy groups, and double bonds, and wherein R2 may be substituted with up to 10, preferably with 1 to 5, and in particular with 1 or 2 further 2-hydroxyethyl 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic groups. The 2-hydroxyethyl 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylates can be prepared by reacting 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid with epoxides and can be used for the preparation of hydroxyurethanes through reaction with amines, such as amine hardeners.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reinforced concrete element comprising an at least partially open-cell foamed, sound-absorbing material which is partially exposed on a surface of the concrete element. The surface on which the foamed material is exposed consists only partially of the foamed material and the reinforcement is partially surrounded by the foamed material. The invention further concerns a method of producing the concrete element and the use thereof as an acoustic ceiling in a building.