Abstract: The present invention provides a device for applying a fluid sealant with a light touch, the device comprising a wand with a fluid sealant supply, either as part of the wand or as a separate supply tube, attached to the top of an applicator head via a universal joint, wherein the applicator head has a chamber on its underside which is sufficiently large to enable a constant supply of a fluid sealant to a substrate that is to be sealed, and the applicator head has a chamber edge disposed around its lower periphery adapted to strike the sealant flat. In addition, the present invention provides methods of using the devices to form a seal, e.g. a weather-resistive barrier on a sheathed building structure, by applying a flexible and compressible foam to gaps in the structure. The foam may comprise one or more aqueous polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous self-inspecting wet coatings or films that dry to form translucent to clear weather-resistive barriers on a substrate, preferably a building substrate such as sheathing. The coatings comprise, as a wet film, one or more aqueous emulsion or dispersion polymer that can form a film in use conditions and less than 6% pigment volume concentration (% PVC), of one or more opacifier, one or more extender in amounts up to critical % pigment volume concentration (CPVC), optionally, one or more pigment, and substantially no void, hollow core, or hollow sphere containing pigment. The coatings or films enable one to apply the correct amount of coating to make a weather barrier that dries to a see-through coating or film.

Abstract: We form a weather-resistive barrier on a building by applying a flexible and compressible latex foam comprising one or more polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than 25° C. on the gaps between adjacent sheets of construction sheathing and coating the sheets and the foam with an aqueous coating composition. The aqueous coating composition is flexible and can comprise the same one or more polymer as the polymer in the foam.

Abstract: We form a weather-resistive barrier on a building by applying a compressible latex foam on the joints between adjacent sheets of construction sheathing, with the sheets having been coated with an aqueous coating composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for applying a fluid sealant with a light touch, the device comprising a wand with a fluid sealant supply, either as part of the wand or as a separate supply tube, attached to the top of an applicator head via a universal joint, wherein the applicator head has a chamber on its underside which is sufficiently large to enable a constant supply of a fluid sealant to a substrate that is to be sealed, and the applicator head has an edge disposed around its lower periphery adapted to strike the sealant flat. In addition, the present invention provides methods of using the devices to form a seal, e.g. a weather-resistive barrier on a sheathed building structure, by applying a flexible and compressible foam to gaps in the structure. The foam may comprise one or more aqueous polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous self-inspecting wet coatings or films that dry to form translucent to clear weather-resistive barriers on a substrate, preferably a building substrate such as sheathing. The coatings comprise, as a wet film, one or more aqueous emulsion or dispersion polymer that can form a film in use conditions and less than 6% pigment volume concentration (% PVC), of one or more opacifier, one or more extender in amounts up to critical % pigment volume concentration (CPVC), optionally, one or more pigment, and substantially no void, hollow core, or hollow sphere containing pigment. The coatings or films enable one to apply the correct amount of coating to make a weather barrier that dries to a see-through coating or film.

Abstract: A method for treating at least partially uncured concrete is provided.

Abstract: A composition and method for forming a composite material comprising a mixture of component A and component B, component A comprising gypsum and an inhibitor; and component B comprising an accelerator, wherein at least one of component A and component B further comprises a polymer binder having a Tg of below ?23° C. or wherein the Shore D hardness of the composite material when cured is less than 70; the method comprising providing a first slurry mixture of component A and a second slurry mixture of component B and blending the first slurry mixture and the second slurry mixture to form a soft composite using a weight ratio of from 10:1 to 1:2.

Abstract: We form a weather-resistive barrier on a building by applying a compressible latex foam on the joints between adjacent sheets of construction sheathing, with the sheets having been coated with an aqueous coating composition.

Abstract: We form a weather-resistive barrier on a building by applying a compressible latex foam on the gaps between adjacent sheets of construction sheathing and coating

Abstract: We form a weather-resistive barrier on a building by applying a flexible and compressible latex foam comprising one or more polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than 25° C. on the gaps between adjacent sheets of construction sheathing and coating the sheets and the foam with an aqueous coating composition. The aqueous coating composition is flexible and can comprise the same one or more polymer as the polymer in the foam.

Abstract: A method for treating at least partially uncured concrete is provided.

Abstract: A two-pack cementitious composition consisting of iii) an alkaline component comprising gypsum, an alkaline polymer, water and a hydration inhibitor, which is stable in a fluid state and which can be set and hardened upon the addition of an hydration activator, and iv) an acidic component comprising an acid soluble hydration activator, is suitable for forming a self-levelling floor composition. The self-levelling floor composition may be used in a method of levelling a floor.

Abstract: A method for providing a polymer-modified fiber-cement composite by forming an aqueous composition including admixing an emulsion polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from ?25° C. to 150° C., cement, cellulosic fibers, siliceous material, and water; forming a composite precursor by removal of at least some of the water; and curing/drying the composite precursor at a temperature at least 10° C. higher than the Tg of the polymer is provided. In an alternative embodiment the emulsion polymer is applied to the composite precursor. Polymer-modified fiber-cement composites formed by the method of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method for providing a polymer-modified fiber-cement composite by forming an aqueous composition including admixing an emulsion polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from −25° C. to 150° C., cement, cellulosic fibers, siliceous material, and water; forming a composite precursor by removal of at least some of the water; and curing/drying the composite precursor at a temperature at least 10° C. higher than the Tg of the polymer is provided. In an alternative embodiment the emulsion polymer is applied to the composite precursor. Polymer-modified fiber-cement composites formed by the method of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Compounds useful as reactive coalescents and methods of improving the stability of reactive coalescents are disclosed. A process for the preparation of low molecular weight polymers which are also useful as reactive coalescents is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a curable coating and a method of curing the curable coating are disclosed. The curable composition from which the curable coating is prepared may be applied to the surface of a substrate in neat form or in aqueous medium to produce the coating. Curing of the curable coating may be accomplished by chemical generation of free radicals, by electrochemical generation of free radicals, by electron beam, by photochemical generation of free radicals, or by other electromagnetic irradiation.

Abstract: A continuous process for oligomers which do not contain, as polymerized units, carboxylic acid-containing monomers and their salts, including the steps of: (1) forming a reaction mixture, substantially free of carboxylic acid-containing monomers and their salts, containing: (i) 0.5 to 99.95% by weight of the reaction mixture of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and (ii) 0.05 to 25% by weight, based on the weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, of at least one free-radical initiator; and (2) continuously passing the reaction mixture through a heated zone wherein the reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature of at least 150° C. and a pressure of at least 30 bars for from 0.1 seconds to 4 minutes to form terminally-unsaturated oligomers. In addition, processes for forming oligomers of vinyl acetate and oligomers of vinyl alcohol are disclosed. Mixtures of fully saturated and terminally unsaturated oligomers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a curable coating and a method of curing the curable coating are disclosed. The curable composition from which the curable coating is prepared may be applied to the surface of a substrate in neat form or in aqueous medium to produce the coating. Curing of the curable coating may be accomplished by chemical generation of free radicals, by electrochemical generation of free radicals, by electron beam, by photochemical generation of free radicals, or by other electromagnetic irradiation.

Abstract: Compounds useful as reactive coalescents and methods of improving the stability of reactive coalescents are disclosed. A process for the preparation of low molecular weight polymers which are also useful as reactive coalescents is also disclosed.