Abstract: The present invention provides a dry mix composition of a low-viscosity cellulose ether (50 to 750 mPa·s at 1 wt. % solids, at 20 C, and a 514 s-1 shear rate, using a strain-controlled rotational rheometer (for example, ARES-G2™, TA Instruments), a graded aggregate, and a hydraulic cement, or a granular wet cement composition of the cement, graded aggregate and an admixture therefor including the cellulose ether. The wet granular hydraulic cement composition behaves like asphalt compositions and has zero or near zero slump, a high lubricity and from 5 wt. % to less than 13 wt. % of water, or, preferably from greater than 5 to 10.5 wt. %, based on the total weight of the granular wet cement composition. The low-viscosity cellulose ether enables lubricity without impairing compaction and without causing air entrainment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making an aqueous composition comprising polymerizing in the presence of one or more initiators at a pH of from 1 to 5 an aqueous monomer mixture of an aqueous medium and one or more acrylic or vinyl macromonomers containing an oxyalkylene chain group in the presence of one or more carboxylic acid group containing fluids chosen from a copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, a polymeric polycarboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, to form a brush polymer-containing oxyalkylene side chain groups, wherein, the polymerizing takes place at a solids content ranging from 8 to 60 wt.%, and, combining one or more aromatic cofactors with the aqueous composition. In addition, the present invention provides aqueous compositions of brush polymers containing oxyalkylene side chain groups having more than one phase domain and a substantially reduced viscosity to enable processing with far less energy input or water waste.

Abstract: The present invention provides bi-component core-shell polymeric microfibers for reinforcing concrete comprising as a first component (shell) ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) polymer and at least one plasticizer, preferably, polyethylene glycol, and as a second component (core) a polymer chosen from a polyamide, a polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and a polymer blend of a polyolefin and an anhydride grafted polyolefin and having an aspect ratio of length to diameter (L/D) or equivalent diameter of from 300 to 1000. The bi-component polymeric microfibers comprise from 5 to 45 wt. % of the first component, are easily processed, and provide fiber cements having improved mechanical properties at relatively low microfiber loadings.

Abstract: Fabricate a panel (5) by building a sacrificial relief (10) by an additive process of multilayer deposition, applying a facade layer (20,30) over the sacrificial relief so as to conform to the contour of the sacrificial relief, depositing a foamable composition (40, 50, 60) over the facade layer.

Abstract: Treat an aggregation of particulates with two different aqueous mixtures, first with an aqueous mixture containing a sulfonated aromatic polymer component and then with an aqueous mixture containing polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: Treat an aggregation of particulates with two different aqueous mixtures, first with an aqueous mixture containing a sulfonated aromatic polymer component and then with an aqueous mixture containing polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful as a replacement for cellulose ether in cement, plaster or mortar compositions comprising i) nonionic or substantially nonionic vinyl or acrylic brush polymers having pendant or side chain polyether groups, and having a relative weight average molecular weight of from 140,000 to 50,000,000 g/mole, and ii) aromatic cofactors containing one or more phenolic groups, such as catechol tannins, phenolic resins, polyphenolics, and napthhols or, in combination, one or more aromatic groups with at least one sulfur acid group, such as naphthalene sulfonate aldehyde condensate polymers, poly(styrene-co-styrene sulfonate) copolymers, and lignin sulfonates, preferably branched cofactors, including phenolic resins, aldehyde condensate polymers and lignin sulfonates. The compositions may comprise a dry powder blend of i) and ii), one dry powder of both i) and ii), or an aqueous mixture.

Abstract: A method including providing an aqueous mixture containing a sulfonated aromatic polymer component and applying the aqueous mixture to an aggregation of particulates sufficient to increase the water holding capacity of the aggregation of particulates.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful as a replacement for cellulose ether in cement, plaster or mortar compositions comprising i) nonionic or substantially nonionic vinyl or acrylic brush polymers having pendant or side chain polyether groups, and having a relative weight average molecular weight of from 140,000 to 50,000,000 g/mole, and ii) aromatic cofactors containing one or more phenolic groups, such as catechol tannins, phenolic resins, polyphenolics, and napthhols or, in combination, one or more aromatic groups with at least one sulfur acid group, such as naphthalene sulfonate aldehyde condensate polymers, poly(styrene-co-styrene sulfonate) copolymers, and lignin sulfonates, preferably branched cofactors, including phenolic resins, aldehyde condensate polymers and lignin sulfonates. The compositions may comprise a dry powder blend of i) and ii), one dry powder of both i) and ii), or an aqueous mixture.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for use as stable additive concentrates, such as aqueous solutions or powders, in cement admixtures comprising i) one or more nonionic or substantially nonionic vinyl or acrylic brush polymers having pendant or side chain polyether groups and having a weight average molecular weight of from 140,000 to 50,000,000, ii) one or more aromatic cofactors containing one or more phenolic groups or, in combination, one or more aromatic groups with at least one sulfur acid group, preferably, a branched aromatic cofactor; and iii) one or more polycarboxylate ether copolymer water reducers containing carboxylic acid or salt groups and having polyether side chains and a weight average molecular weight of from 5,000 to 100,000.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of epoxy resin and a redispersible epoxy polymer powder contains particles of 50-90 weight-percent epoxy resin with 10-50 weight-percent alkali soluble shell around the particles and 2-25 weight-percent dispersing aid, with weight-percent based on total combined weight of epoxy resin, alkali soluble polymer shell and dispersing aid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two component geopolymer composition of wherein one component comprises a dry mix of an aluminosilicate, such as flyash, geopolymer precursor and one or more epoxy multilayer polymer particle redispersible polymer powder (RDP) having an epoxy resin core and an alkali soluble polymer shell, the epoxy resin having a calculated glass transition temperature (Tg) of from 7 to 45° C., and, wherein the other component, comprises one or more alkaline silicate geopolymer precursor, preferably in the form of an aqueous solution. The two-component compositions having from 1 to 20 wt. % of the RDP, based on solids, and provide greater formulation flexibility to make geopolymer compositions having improved tensile strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two component geopolymer composition of wherein one component comprises a dry mix of an aluminosilicate, such as flyash, geopolymer precursor and one or more epoxy multilayer polymer particle redispersible polymer powder (RDP) having an epoxy resin core and an alkali soluble polymer shell, the epoxy resin having a calculated glass transition temperature (Tg) of from 7 to 45° C., and, wherein the other component, comprises one or more alkaline silicate geopolymer precursor, preferably in the form of an aqueous solution. The two-component compositions having from 1 to 20 wt. % of the RDP, based on solids, and provide greater formulation flexibility to make geopolymer compositions having improved tensile strength.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of epoxy resin and a redispersible epoxy polymer powder contains particles of 50-90 weight-percent epoxy resin with 10-50 weight-percent alkali soluble shell around the particles and 2-25 weight-percent dispersing aid, with weight-percent based on total combined weight of epoxy resin, alkali soluble polymer shell and dispersing aid.

Abstract: A water redispersible polymer powder is produced by drying an aqueous mixture of a thermosettable epoxy resin having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 50° C., and a colloidal stabilizer capable of dispersing the epoxy resin at a temperature above the Tg of the epoxy resin, preferably a polyvinyl alcohol, in an amount of the colloidal stabilizer of at least 2% by weight, based upon the weight of the thermosettable epoxy resin. The RDP may optionally include a hardener or curing agent, and may be hardened, cured, or crosslinked by cement ingredients when admixed with water. The water redispersible polymer powder exhibits unexpectedly superior redispersibility and good stability in cementitious formulations.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising a) a polysaccharide derivative, b) a siloxane, and c) an anti-foaming agent different from a siloxane is useful for modifying the rheology of a cement slurry.

Abstract: The instant invention is a process for planarizing a microelectronic substrate with a cross-linked polymer dielectric layer, comprising the steps of: (a) heating such a substrate coated with a layer comprising an uncured cross-linkable polymer and a glass transition suppression modifier to a temperature greater than the glass transition temperature of the layer, the temperature being less than the curing temperature of the uncured cross-linkable polymer to form a substrate coated with a heat flowed layer; and (b) heating the substrate coated with the heat flowed layer to a curing temperature of the uncured cross-linkable polymer of the heated layer to cure the uncured cross-linkable polymer to form a planarized substrate wherein the percent planarization at 100 micrometers is greater than fifty percent. The instant invention is a microelectronic device made using the above-described process.

Abstract: The instant invention is a process for planarizing a microelectronic substrate with a cross-linked polymer dielectric layer, comprising the steps of: (a) heating such a substrate coated with a layer comprising an uncured cross-linkable polymer and a glass transition suppression modifier to a temperature greater than the glass transition temperature of the layer, the temperature being less than the curing temperature of the uncured cross-linkable polymer to form a substrate coated with a heat flowed layer; and (b) heating the substrate coated with the heat flowed layer to a curing temperature of the uncured cross-linkable polymer of the heated layer to cure the uncured cross-linkable polymer to form a planarized substrate wherein the percent planarization at 100 micrometers is greater than fifty percent. The instant invention is a microelectronic device made using the above-described process.

Abstract: The invention is a curable cyclobutarene based polymer comprising acid functional pendant groups. The cured polymer displays excellent qualities of toughness, adhesion, dielectric constant, and low stress. The preferred system is soluble in an aqueous base and can be used to generate patterned films with excellent resolution without the need to handle organic developer solvents.

Abstract: The invention is a curable cyclobutarene based polymer comprising acid functional pendant groups. The cured polymer displays excellent qualities of toughness, adhesion, dielectric constant, and low stress. The preferred system is soluble in an aqueous base and can be used to generate patterned films with excellent resolution without the need to handle organic developer solvents.