Abstract: A corrosion-resistant lath is provided for use in exterior finishing systems, such as stucco systems and exterior insulation and finish systems (“EIFS”). The lath includes in a first embodiment an open, woven fabric comprising weft and warp yarns containing non-metallic fibers, such as glass fibers. A portion of the weft yarns are undulated, resulting in an increased thickness for the fabric. The fabric is coated with a polymeric resin for substantially binding the weft yarns in the undulated condition. This invention also includes methods for making an exterior finish system and building wall including an exterior finish system using such a lath.

Abstract: A modular-type expansion joint system for bridging a gap that is located between spaced-apart structural members. The expansion joint system may be utilized, for example, in bridges, highways, and tunnel constructions where gaps are formed between spaced-apart, adjacent concrete sections. The expansion joint system includes vehicular load bearing members and support members. Seals are located between the vehicular load bearing members. The expansion joint system includes zones of differing movement capabilities in response to displacement events.

Abstract: A dry cast cementitious composition including cement, water, and a rheology modifying additive (RMA) is provided. The inclusion of the RMA improves the dry cast cementitious composition's response to vibration and dampens out differences due to minor fluctuations in initial slump of the composition. The RMA may include a dispersant for the dry cast cementitious compositions. The dry cast cementitious composition may optionally include other admixtures or additives known in the industry. Methods for making the dry cast cementitious composition and dry cast cementitious articles from the composition are also provided.

Abstract: Identification and quantification of mass-produced goods in articles, a dye-containing polymer dispersion having been added to the mass-produced goods. The polymer dispersions contain particles which are coded by a mixture of dyes, and the polymer dispersion particles are quantitatively determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polymers by free radical polymerization of monomers in the presence of water, electrochemically produced free radicals being used for initiating the free radical polymerization.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant, a set retarder, and a strength improvement additive.

Abstract: To provide shrinkage reducing agents which render excellent shrinkage reducing effect and frost-thaw resistance to cement compositions such as mortar and concrete without entraining excessive air, and exhibit excellent solution stability. The shrinkage reducing agent comprises a (poly)alkylene compound having an unsaturated bond represented by the formula (1): R2O—R1—O-(A1O)n—R3??(1) -(A2O)m—R4??(2) (wherein R1 is a C2-10 hydrocarbon group having an unsaturated bond; R2 is hydrogen or the formula (2); R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen or a C1-8 alkyl group; A1O and A2O are one or more kinds of C2-4 oxyalkylene groups; and n and m are mean addition numbers of moles of A1O and A2O, respectively, and 1 to 20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous solution comprising 30 to 95% by weight of water and 5 to 70% by weight of a copolymer dissolved in the water by free radical solution polymerizations of an isoprenol polyether derivative with an acrylic acid derivative, so that the copolymer has 20 to 45 mol % of an isoprenol polyether derivative structural unit and 55 to 80 mol % of an acrylic acid derivative structural unit. The aqueous solution is suitable as a superplasticizer for hydraulic binders.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymer-modified cement-containing building material dry mixes which contain a redispersible polymer powder, water retention agents based on polysaccharide structures, a calcium-containing setting accelerator and a superabsorbent copolymer.

Abstract: An expansion joint sealing system may be used to provide a continuous and seamless waterproof membrane across a gap in an expansion joint. The expansion joint sealing system includes sealing members that are provided with a keyway for accepting and interlocking a coating membrane. Also disclosed are an expansion joint including spaced apart structural members and the sealing system and a method for sealing a gap between two spaced apart structural members.

Abstract: Statistic comb polymers obtainable by the radical copolymerization of a vinylic poly(alkylenoxide) compound (A) with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer compound (B) according to the catalytic chain transfer method (CCT). The comb polymers are extremely suitable for hydraulic binder suspensions based on cement, lime, gypsum and anhydrite as they have, for the same dosage, an improved water reducing power over conventional flow agents. The corresponding building material mixtures are characterized by a substantially reduced stickiness and plastic viscosity once said comb polymers are added, which dramatically improves the plasticity of very cement-rich building material mixtures, such as concretes. The building material mixtures using the inventive flow agents have a considerably increased slump flow and an increased shear-thinning behavior as compared to conventional concretes without the tendency to segregate.

Abstract: A cover plate system for a gap (15) between two structural members (10, 20) is provided. The system includes an elongated cover (30) that extends across the gap (15) from a first structural member (10) to a second, spaced-apart structural member (20). The cover plate system further includes damped spring anchors (40) for engaging the cover plate (30) to an underlying structural member (10) and dampers (50, 60) for absorbing energy imparted to the cover plate (30) by vehicular traffic. The cover plate system minimizes the strain energy that is absorbed by the cover plate (30), which results in less cover plate slapping and bouncing during operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulverulent building material composition, preferably a factory dry mortar and in particular a tile adhesive, joint grout, knifing filler, sealing slurry, repair mortar, equalization mortar, basecoat adhesive, adhesive for composite thermal insulation systems (CTISs), mineral plaster or render, fine knifing filler or screed system, containing an ester of A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of neopentyl glycol, 2-methyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol and pentaerythritol with B) a carboxylic acid component.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant, a set retarder, and a strength improvement additive.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of a hardening accelerator composition by reaction of a water-soluble calcium compound with a water-soluble silicate compound and by reaction of a calcium compound with a silicon dioxide containing component under alkaline conditions, in both cases the reaction being carried out in the presence of an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer, which contains sulphonic acid and/or sulphonate groups and aromatic groups. The invention concerns also the reaction product of said processes and its use as hardening accelerator for building materials.

Abstract: The invention concerns an accelerator mixture which contains aluminum in oxidation state 3, sulphate and hexafluorosilicic acid, a process for the preparation of said accelerators and the use of said accelerators for the coating of substrates with concrete or mortar. Furthermore the invention relates to concrete or mortar containing accelerators according to the invention and the hardened layers produced by applying the accelerators to concrete or mortar. The invention relates also to the use of hexafluorosilicic acid as a stabilizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polycondensation product based on aromatics and/or heteroaromatics and aldehydes, said polycondensate containing at least one structural unit (I) having a polyisobutylene side chain and an aromatic or heteroaromatic and at least one structural unit (II) having an ionizable functional group and an aromatic or heteroaromatic, structural unit (I) not being the same as structural unit (II) and the aldehyde used having no acid or ester functions. A process for the preparation and the use as an additive for hydraulic binders are disclosed.

Abstract: Preparing a non-ionic copolymer having a hydrolysable monomer residue and a polyether macromonomer residue in a semicontinuous mode in a polymerization reactor associated with a metering device, including introducing polyether macromonomer and water into the reactor, wherein hydrolysable monomer which is added thereto forms a polymerization reaction mixture; introducing hydrolysable monomer into the metering device; adding hydrolysable monomer into the reactor from the metering device; passing a free radical polymerization initiator into the reactor before and/or during the addition of the hydrolysable monomer, the hydrolysable monomer and the polyether macromonomer reacting by free radical polymerization to form the non-ionic copolymer; and, subjecting the reaction mixture to polymerization while an addition rate of the hydrolysable monomer and/or at least a component of the polymerization initiator is varied stepwise or continuously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a copolymer by free radical mass polymerization of a maleic acid monoester derivative with vinyl ester in the presence of an acid having a pKa of less than 1.8. The copolymer is suitable as a dispersant for hydraulic binders.

Abstract: The use of polymeric microparticles having a cavity in hydraulically setting building material mixtures is described, from 1 to 100% by volume of the cavity of these microparticles being filled with water. In this way, remarkable concrete resistance to the freezing and thawing cycle is achieved, these microparticles providing improved protection for the concrete from the effects of the freezing and thawing cycle, even at a diameter of from 0.1 to 1 ?m and in doses which are 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than those described in the prior art. Moreover, the compressive strength of the correspondingly hardened concrete is substantially improved, which was likewise not foreseeable.