Abstract: A roof covering includes a roofing mat formed from fibers of a fiber material. The fibers are coated with a sizing. The roof covering also includes a coating material that coats the mat. The coating material is based on an organic material. The sizing includes a sulfur-containing material that bonds to the fiber material. The sulfur-containing material has sulfur groups that form cross-links with the organic material. In another embodiment, the coating material contains sulfur added to the organic material. The sizing includes a bonding material that bonds to the fiber material and that bonds to the sulfur. The sulfur forms cross-links with the organic material.

Abstract: A roof covering includes a roofing mat formed from fibers of a fiber material. The fibers are coated with a sizing. The roof covering also includes a coating material that coats the mat. The coating material is based on an organic material. The sizing includes a sulfur-containing material that bonds to the fiber material. The sulfur-containing material has sulfur groups that form cross-links with the organic material. In another embodiment, the coating material contains sulfur added to the organic material. The sizing includes a bonding material that bonds to the fiber material and that bonds to the sulfur. The sulfur forms cross-links with the organic material.

Abstract: A paving mat for use in a paved surface includes a fibrous mat in the form of a paving mat. The fibrous mat includes a fibrous matrix containing a mixture of polymer fibers, first mineral fibers having a first median length, and second mineral fibers having a second median length that is different from the first median length. In another embodiment, the paving mat includes a fibrous mat including a fibrous matrix which is bonded together by a binder. In one embodiment, the binder is a mixture of different binders. The fibrous matrix includes a mixture of mineral fibers in an amount within a range of from 61 wt % to 85 wt % and polymer fibers in an amount within a range of from 15 wt % to 39 wt %. The polymer fibers have a melting point greater than 320° F. (160° C.). The mat has a stiffness in the machine direction within a range of from 65 g-cm to 110 g-cm.

Abstract: A roof covering includes a roofing mat formed from fibers of a fiber material. The fibers are coated with a sizing. The roof covering also includes a coating material that coats the mat. The coating material is based on an organic material. The sizing includes a sulfur-containing material that bonds to the fiber material. The sulfur-containing material has sulfur groups that form cross-links with the organic material. In another embodiment, the coating material contains sulfur added to the organic material. The sizing includes a bonding material that bonds to the fiber material and that bonds to the sulfur. The sulfur forms cross-links with the organic material.

Abstract: A method of producing a roofing shingle coating asphalt from a non-coating grade asphalt feedstock includes the following steps. The non-coating grade asphalt feedstock is partially blown to lower its penetration to a first penetration that is within or close to a target penetration range of the coating asphalt, and to raise its softening point to a first softening point that is lower than a target softening point range of the coating asphalt. A wax is added to the partially blown non-coating grade asphalt to further raise its softening point to a second softening point that is within the target softening point range to produce the coating asphalt. The wax may also be added during the blowing process. Resulting roofing coating asphalt compositions may comprise a paving grade asphalt and a wax, and yet still has desirable penetration, softening point and viscosity.

Abstract: In a process of producing a roofing shingle coating asphalt from a low flashpoint asphalt feedstock, an asphalt feedstock which has a low flashpoint of from 490° F. (254° C.) to 540° F. (282° C.) is partially blown, and wax is added to the asphalt feedstock. The process produces a coating asphalt having a low melt viscosity of from 50 cps to 150 cps at 400° F. (204° C.), a softening point of from 190° F. (88° C.) to 235° F. (113° C.) and a penetration of at least 15 dmm at 77° F. (25° C.). In another embodiment, the process produces a roofing shingle coating asphalt having good weatherability from a poor weathering asphalt feedstock. In a further embodiment, the process produces roofing shingles including a filled coating containing a poor tear filler without sacrificing the tear strength of the shingles.

Abstract: A method of producing a roofing shingle coating asphalt from a non-coating grade asphalt feedstock includes the following steps. The non-coating grade asphalt feedstock is partially blown to lower its penetration to a first penetration that is within or close to a target penetration range of the coating asphalt, and to raise its softening point to a first softening point that is lower than a target softening point range of the coating asphalt. Then a wax is added to the partially blown non-coating grade asphalt to further raise its softening point to a second softening point that is within the target softening point range to produce the coating asphalt.

Abstract: A process of producing a roofing shingle coating asphalt from an asphalt feedstock includes the following steps. Wax and blowing catalyst are added to the asphalt feedstock. Then the asphalt feedstock is blown to produce the coating asphalt. The coating asphalt has a softening point within a range of from about 190° F. (88° C.) to about 235° F. (113° C.) and has a penetration of at least about 15 dmm at 77° F. (25° C.).

Abstract: A roof covering includes a coated roofing mat comprising a roofing mat coated with an organic-based coating material. A reflective layer comprising a layer of an infrared reflective material covers an upper surface of the coated roofing mat. A weatherable layer comprising a layer of a weatherable material covers an upper surface of the reflective layer. The roof covering does not include roofing granules.

Abstract: A method of producing a roofing shingle coating asphalt from a non-coating grade asphalt feedstock includes the following steps. The non-coating grade asphalt feedstock is partially blown to lower its penetration to a first penetration that is within or close to a target penetration range of the coating asphalt, and to raise its softening point to a first softening point that is lower than a target softening point range of the coating asphalt. Then a wax is added to the partially blown non-coating grade asphalt to further raise its softening point to a second softening point that is within the target softening point range to produce the coating asphalt.

Abstract: In a process of producing a roofing shingle coating asphalt from a low flashpoint asphalt feedstock, an asphalt feedstock which has a low flashpoint of from 490° F. (254° C.) to 540° F. (282° C.) is partially blown, and wax is added to the asphalt feedstock. The process produces a coating asphalt having a low melt viscosity of from 50 cps to 150 cps at 400° F. (204° C.), a softening point of from 190° F. (88° C.) to 235° F. (113° C.) and a penetration of at least 15 dmm at 77° F. (25° C.). In another embodiment, the process produces a roofing shingle coating asphalt having good weatherability from a poor weathering asphalt feedstock. In a further embodiment, the process produces roofing shingles including a filled coating containing a poor tear filler without sacrificing the tear strength of the shingles.

Abstract: A process of producing a roofing shingle coating asphalt from an asphalt feedstock includes the following steps. Wax and blowing catalyst are added to the asphalt feedstock. Then the asphalt feedstock is blown to produce the coating asphalt. The coating asphalt has a softening point within a range of from about 190° F. (88° C.) to about 235° F. (113° C.) and has a penetration of at least about 15 dmm at 77° F. (25° C.).

Abstract: A method of repairing a paved surface utilizes a nonwoven or woven fibrous mat made from fibers including polymer fibers, the polymer fibers having a melting point greater than about 320° F. (160° C.). The mat has a load-elongation behavior such that when the mat is subject to tensile stress, the mat achieves at least 90% of its ultimate load at an elongation not greater than 5% of the specimen length in the direction of applied stress. Another mat comprises a nonwoven or woven fibrous mat made from fibers selected from the group consisting of mineral fibers, polymer fibers, natural fibers, and mixtures thereof, and a rubbery binder. Another mat comprises a nonwoven or woven fibrous mat made from a blend of high melt polymer fibers having a melting point of at least 350° F. (177° C.) and low melt polymer fibers having a melting point of less than 350° F. (177° C.).

Abstract: A method of recycling building materials is described, including the steps of introducing the building material into a cement kiln or a boiler, and combusting a combustible portion of the building material as a fuel within the kiln or boiler. The noncombustible portion of the building material is incorporated into a clinker material within the kiln or used to reduce emissions form the boiler.

Abstract: In a method of improving the weathering of a bituminous coating, a microwave-produced carbon black is added to the coating. The microwave-produced carbon black is added in an amount sufficient to increase the cycles-to-failure of the coating by at least about 10% compared to the same coating without the added microwave-produced carbon black, when tested for weathering according to ASTM D 4799-00.