Abstract: Composite panels and methods of use and manufacturing are described herein. The composite panels may comprise a foam composite and one or more layers of a facing material. The foam composite may have a density less than or equal to 20 pcf, and the layer(s) of facing material, e.g., inorganic facing material, may have a thickness of 1/16 inch to 1 inch covering at least the front surface of the foam composite.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed of forming a joint between a relatively hardened strip of material, such as a molded and cured conveyor belt strip, and an adjacent material that is in the process of curing. The curing material shrinks during the curing process, pulling away from the edge of the relatively hardened strip. The method includes moving the relatively hardened strip of material toward the curing, adjacent material strip to compensate for the shrinkage. An apparatus, for example, grips the relatively hardened strip of material and maintains a constant pressure at the interface between the relatively hardened strip of material and the curing material strip while the latter cures and shrinks.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and composition for controlling the viscosity of latex compositions that include fly ash. The composition is an aqueous dispersion comprising water, at least one polymer latex, from about 50 to about 600 parts by weight fly ash per 100 parts by weight dry polymer, and a viscosity stabilizing composition that preferably comprises at least one borate compound. The method includes adding a viscosity stabilizing composition to an aqueous polymer latex composition that includes fly ash. The viscosity stabilizing composition can be used to produce a stirred viscosity of the aqueous dispersion 7 days after mixing that is less than 30% greater than the viscosity of the aqueous composition immediately after mixing.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and composition for controlling the viscosity of latex compositions that include fly ash. The composition is an aqueous dispersion comprising water, at least one polymer latex, from about 50 to about 600 parts by weight fly ash per 100 parts by weight dry polymer, and a viscosity stabilizing composition that preferably comprises at least one borate compound. The method includes adding a viscosity stabilizing composition to an aqueous polymer latex composition that includes fly ash. The viscosity stabilizing composition can be used to produce a stirred viscosity of the aqueous dispersion 7 days after mixing that is less than 30% greater than the viscosity of the aqueous composition immediately after mixing.