Abstract: A gypsum wallboard having a core with a central core layer and one or more densified layers is disclosed. At least one densified layer contains salt absorbent particles of zeolite and/or hydrotalcite to improve adhesion of the gypsum core to a cover sheet. Also, methods of making the gypsum wallboard and a wall system for employing the gypsum wallboard are disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for creating a gypsum wallboard slurry with enhanced strength. The process includes providing a gypsum wallboard slurry mixer, providing suitable amounts of calcined gypsum and water in the mixer to create a slurry, agitating the slurry in the mixer, extracting a portion of the slurry in the mixer, reintroducing the extracted portion into the mixer for further mixing, and dispensing the mixed slurry from an outlet of the mixer.

Abstract: Provided are a gypsum set accelerator wherein the gypsum set accelerator is a dry-milled mixture comprising calcium sulfate dihydrate co-ground with one or more of the following: a polycarboxylic ether (PCE) and/or a sulfonated melamine polycondensate (SMP), gypsum slurries formulated with the gypsum set accelerator and methods for producing the gypsum set accelerator and manufacturing gypsum products with the gypsum set accelerator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acid-modified flour and a method of making the acid-modified flour. The acid-modified flour is desirably prepared using a dry milling process. A starting flour is combined with a strong acid to form a mixture. The mixture is heated. A neutralizer is added to increase the pH of the mixture. If desired, the mixture can be dried and any agglomerates can be removed. The acid-modified flour can be used as a binder in a slurry for preparing one or more gypsum layers in a gypsum board.

Abstract: Beads of materials such as activated alumina, zeolite and silica gel, are used as chloride salt absorbers. The beads are mixed with high-salt gypsum. After mixing for a short time, the mixtures are dried, and the beads and the powder are separated by using a sieve or other physical separation device resulting in a low-salt gypsum which can be used as a gypsum source to make gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: This disclosure provides products useful as construction materials and containing set gypsum and ammonium-exchanged vermiculite, including a gypsum panel having a gypsum core comprising set gypsum and ammonium-exchanged vermiculite and characterized by decreased heat shrinkage and increased resistance to fire damage in comparison to the gypsum panel that comprises vermiculite that has not been ammonium-exchanged. The disclosure further relates to methods for producing the gypsum panel and constructing building assemblies with the gypsum panels, including walls and ceilings.

Abstract: Disclosed are an organic binder-based coating; a composite gypsum board containing face and back cover sheets, an outside surface of the back cover sheet bearing the coating; and a method of preparing composite board where the back cover sheet contains the coating on its outer surface. The coating is formed from a composition comprising an alkaline silicate, a solid filler, and optionally, a borate. An enhancing layer can also be applied to the back cover sheet.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard having a core with a central core layer and one or more densified layers is disclosed. At least one densified layer contains salt absorbent particles of zeolite and/or hydrotalcite to improve adhesion of the gypsum core to a cover sheet. Also, methods of making the gypsum wallboard and a wall system for employing the gypsum wallboard are disclosed.

Abstract: A climbing action structure includes a support structure having a plurality of columns configured to be fixed relative to an underlying surface and support at least one header of a plurality of headers above the underlying surface. A climbing action space is defined between the columns, the headers, and the underlying surface that is devoid of intruding structure. The headers define a plurality of action element mounts, each defining a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the underlying surface. At least one action element is removably coupled to the support structure at a respective action element mount. The action element includes a top end having a header connection member. The header connection member being coupled to the respective action element mount and adjustably positionable along the longitudinal axis, and the action element is disposed within the climbing action space and a participant has 360° access to the action element therein.

Abstract: A high temperature sag resistant lightweight wallboard. The addition of a small amount of urea (about 0.1%) significantly improves the high-temperature sag resistance on Type X gypsum wallboards. These gypsum wallboards may have a board weight of less than 2100 lbs/msf when cast to have an overall 5.8 inch thickness, and may include glass fibers and/or mineral wool. Also, methods of making the gypsum wallboard and a wall system for employing the gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: Beads of materials such as activated alumina, zeolite and silica gel, are used as chloride salt absorbers. The beads are mixed with high-salt gypsum. After mixing for a short time, the mixtures are dried, and the beads and the powder are separated by using a sieve or other physical separation device resulting in a low-salt gypsum which can be used as a gypsum source to make gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: An open cell set gypsum core includes an interlocking matrix of gypsum having air voids distributed therein. The air voids define cells having cell walls formed by the interlocking matrix. The interlocking matrix further includes channels distributed therein. The channels interconnect the air voids and comprise openings in the cell walls.

Abstract: Gypsum boards formed from synthetic gypsum and other gypsum sources having high chloride salt concentrations. Gypsum boards may include a board core including set gypsum. A total concentration of the chloride anion in the board core ranges from about 500 ppm to about 3000 ppm, typically about 1000 ppm to about 3000 ppm, based on weight of the calcium sulfate hemihydrate. An inner surface of a front paper cover sheet contacts a first face of the board core. An inner surface of a back paper cover sheet contacts a second face of the board core. A starch layer coats the inner surface of at least one of the front and back cover sheet. Methods of making the gypsum board, and a wall system for employing the gypsum boards, are also provided.

Abstract: Gypsum boards formed from synthetic gypsum and other gypsum sources having high chloride salt concentrations. The gypsum boards may include a set gypsum board core layer between a front and back paper cover sheets. The back paper cover sheet has a plurality of perforations extending therethrough. Methods of making the gypsum boards, and a wall system for employing the gypsum boards, are also provided. The concentration of the chloride anion in aqueous gypsum slurry used to make the set gypsum board core layer and to perform the methods of the invention may range from about 500 ppm to about 3000 ppm, typically from about 500 ppm to about 2000 ppm per 1,000,000 parts by weight calcium sulfate hemihydrate, more typically from about 500 ppm to about 1500 ppm per 1,000,000 parts by weight calcium sulfate hemihydrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite gypsum board comprising a board core comprising set gypsum sandwiched between face and back cover sheets. The composite gypsum board also comprises an intermediate sheet between the board core and the face cover sheet, with a thin, dense gypsum layer disposed between the intermediate sheet and the face cover sheet. Optionally, a second dense gypsum layer can be disposed between a first major side of the board core and the back cover sheet. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a composite gypsum board in which an intermediate sheet is applied over a dense gypsum layer disposed on a face cover sheet. A back cover sheet is applied to the other major side of the board core, with a second dense gypsum layer optionally disposed therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acid-modified flour and a method of making the acid-modified flour. The acid-modified flour is desirably prepared using a dry milling process. A starting flour is combined with a strong acid to form a mixture. The mixture is heated. A neutralizer is added to increase the pH of the mixture. If desired, the mixture can be dried and any agglomerates can be removed. The acid-modified flour can be used as a binder in a slurry for preparing one or more gypsum layers in a gypsum board.

Abstract: A climbing action structure includes a support structure having a plurality of columns configured to be fixed relative to an underlying surface and support at least one header of a plurality of headers above the underlying surface. A climbing action space is defined between the columns, the headers, and the underlying surface that is devoid of intruding structure. The headers define a plurality of action element mounts, each defining a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the underlying surface. At least one action element is removably coupled to the support structure at a respective action element mount. The action element includes a top end having a header connection member. The header connection member being coupled to the respective action element mount and adjustably positionable along the longitudinal axis, and the action element is disposed within the climbing action space and a participant has 360° access to the action element therein.

Abstract: A layered gypsum wallboard can include: a gypsum board having opposing front and back faces, wherein the gypsum board comprises a first cover sheet material at the front face, a second cover sheet material at the back face, and a gypsum core layer comprising gypsum; an adhesive layer on the second cover sheet material of the gypsum board, the adhesive including a polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of ?10° C. to 30° C.; an intermediate gypsum layer including gypsum on the adhesive layer such that the adhesive layer is between the second cover sheet material and the intermediate gypsum layer, wherein the adhesive layer and the intermediate gypsum layer have a combined thickness of 0.09 inches to 0.25 inches; and a third cover sheet material, wherein the intermediate gypsum layer is between and in contact with the adhesive layer and the third cover sheet material.

Abstract: Disclosed are an organic binder-based coating; a composite gypsum board containing face and back cover sheets, an outside surface of the back cover sheet bearing the coating; and a method of preparing composite board where the back cover sheet contains the coating on its outer surface. The coating is formed from a composition comprising an alkaline silicate, a solid filler, and optionally, a borate. An enhancing layer can also be applied to the back cover sheet.