Abstract: Compositions and methods for simultaneous pickling and passivation of stainless steel are presented that have exceptional shelf life, are free of hydrofluoric acid, exhibit no syneresis, and are non-corrosive to carbon steel. Moreover, contemplated compositions can be safely sprayed or otherwise applied onto various surfaces and will adhere to treated surfaces without significant runoff.

Abstract: A composition for removal of adhesives comprises a polar solvent, such as benzyl alcohol, in combination with thickeners, dry lubricants, and/or gelling agents to allow for penetration of the adhesive and transformation of the treated adhesive into a solid material that can be readily removed from a surface without forming sticky residue that adheres to the solid material or tool used to remove the adhesive.

Abstract: A composition for removal of adhesives comprises a polar solvent, such as benzyl alcohol, in combination with thickeners, dry lubricants, and/or gelling agents to allow for penetration of the adhesive and transformation of the treated adhesive into a solid material that can be readily removed from a surface without forming sticky residue that adheres to the solid material or tool used to remove the adhesive.

Abstract: A biocidal/antiviral composition comprises a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) in combination with a reagent that increases the cationic charge on the QAC to thereby increase the biocidal/antiviral effect of the QAC. In preferred aspects, the reagent is urea hydrochloride and the QAC is dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are presented that selectively dissolve calcium from a variety of cementitious materials without dissolving or otherwise degrading calcium silica hydrate (CSH). Preferably, contemplated compositions comprise guanidine bisulfate hydrochloride, which can be prepared from a reaction of urea, hydrochloric acid, and sulfamic acid. Therefore, it is especially contemplated that the compositions contemplated herein are particularly suitable to clean or otherwise condition surfaces of cured concrete, Portland cement-based material, or an aggregate containing CSH.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are presented that selectively dissolve calcium from a variety of cementitious materials without dissolving or otherwise degrading calcium silica hydrate (CSH). Preferably, contemplated compositions comprise guanidine bisulfate hydrochloride, which can be prepared from a reaction of urea, hydrochloric acid, and sulfamic acid. Therefore, it is especially contemplated that the compositions contemplated herein are particularly suitable to clean or otherwise condition surfaces of cured concrete, Portland cement-based material, or an aggregate containing CSH.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods for treating in service concrete includes the step of contacting a portion of the in service concrete with an composition, wherein the composition comprises a base and at least one of an acid and a salt of an acid in an amount effective to convert insoluble calcium salts into soluble calcium gluconates that can be washed away with water or other liquid.

Abstract: Various compositions and methods are disclosed for treatment of heat tints on stainless steel surfaces that allow for simultaneous pickling and passivation of stainless steel. Moreover, contemplated compositions and methods are free or substantially free of hydrofluoric acid and can be applied in various forms at different temperatures. In further preferred aspects of the inventive subject matter, the compositions contemplated herein include magnesium salts of acids, and especially magnesium salts of hydrofluoric and nitric acid, most typically in an aqueous base. Such compositions are significantly safer for a user and disposal. Where desired, additional ingredients may be added, including surfactants, chelators, thickeners, and/or fillers.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods for protection of concrete and various other cementitious materials comprise a step of formation of a mesoporous polymeric network within the concrete or other cementitious material, wherein the network further includes a cationic component that forms a substantially insoluble precipitate upon reaction with sulfuric acid to so form a composite barrier against further attack by sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods for sealing cementitious material includes the step of contacting a portion of the cementitious material with a concrete sealing composition, wherein the composition comprises swellable polymers that can form a moisture adaptive barrier in the material, a silicate component that can react with free lime in the material to form CSH in the presence of a catalyst, and a water miscible silane that can react with silica in the material to form polysiloxanes.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods for treating in service concrete includes the step of contacting a portion of the in service concrete with an composition, wherein the composition comprises a base and at least one of an acid and a salt of an acid in an amount effective to convert insoluble calcium salts into soluble calcium gluconates that can be washed away with water or other liquid.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods for protection of concrete and various other cementitious materials comprise a step of formation of a mesoporous polymeric network within the concrete or other cementitious material, wherein the network further includes a cationic component that forms a substantially insoluble precipitate upon reaction with sulfuric acid to so form a composite barrier against further attack by sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods for protection of concrete and various other cementitious materials comprise a step of formation of a mesoporous polymeric network within the concrete or other cementitious material, wherein the network further includes a cationic component that forms a substantially insoluble precipitate upon reaction with sulfuric acid to so form a composite barrier against further attack by sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods for sealing cementitious material includes the step of contacting a portion of the cementitious material with a concrete sealing composition, wherein the composition comprises swellable polymers that can form a moisture adaptive barrier in the material, a silicate component that can react with free lime in the material to form CSH in the presence of a catalyst, and a water miscible silane that can react with silica in the material to form polysiloxanes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a paint stripping composition comprising (a) from about 0.5 to about 50% by weight of an aromatic alcohol, such as benzyl alcohol; (b) from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of malic acid; and (c) from about 15 to about 60% by weight of water. The pH of the composition broadly ranges from about 2 to about 3. The stripping composition of the present invention is free of chlorinated solvents, environmentally safe, and user-friendly. It is non-corrosive or only slightly corrosive to substrates, non-flammable, non-toxic, flow odor, and fully biodegradable. A method of preparing the paint stripping composition is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aerosol formulation comprising (A) a composition comprising (i) from about 20 to about 50% by weight of an aromatic alcohol, such as benzyl alcohol, (ii) from about 5 to about 50% by weight of an accelerator, and (iii) from about 0.5 to about 5.0% by weight of water, based upon 100% weight of total composition; and (B) a propellant. The aerosol formulation is useful for removing paints, coatings, grease, and other residues from various substrates. A method of preparing the aerosol formulation is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aerosol composition comprising (A) a paint stripper composition comprising (i) from about 20 to about 50% by weight of an aromatic alcohol, such as benzyl alcohol, (ii) from about 5 to about 50% by weight of an accelerator, (iii) from about 0.5 to about 5.0% by weight of water, based upon 100% weight of total paint stripper composition; and (B) a propellant. A method of preparing the aerosol composition is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apaint stripping composition comprising (a) from about 0.5 to about 50% by weight of an aromatic alcohol, such as benzyl alcohol; (b) from about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of malic acid; and (c) from about 15 to about 60% by weight of water. The pH of the composition broadly ranges from about 2 to about 3. The stripping composition of the present invention is free of chlorinated solvents, environmentally safe, and user-friendly. It is non-corrosive or only slightly corrosive to substrates, non-flammable, non-toxic, low odor, and fully biodegradable. A method of preparing the paint stripping composition is also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing an environmentally safe composition free of chlorinated solvents which is non-flammable, fully biodegradable, and low odor and the use of such composition for the removal of various coatings from metal substrates. The composition comprises a water-based mixture of one or more high boiling, high flash aromatic solvents (benzyl alcohol, benzyl ether, 1-phenoxy-2-propanol), a peroxide generating agent (hydrogen peroxide), and a hydroxycarboxylic acid (glycolic acid). It can be prepared as a liquid and used as such for immersion/dipping operations or as a thick paste "cling-type" material when optimal application requires a thin film. These can be applied by spraying or brushing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising (a) an aromatic alcohol, such as benzyl alcohol; (b) an oxo-(C.sub.6 -C.sub.13 alkyl) acetate; and (c) dimethyl sulfoxide. A method for removing paint or a coating from a substrate by applying a paint stripper composition comprising an oxo-(C.sub.6 -C.sub.13 alkyl) acetate to the substrate is also provided. Another embodiment of the invention is a method for cleaning a substrate by applying the composition of the present invention to the substrate.