Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing inorganic granules and to their use for the coloring of building materials, particularly concrete, asphalt, plaster, mortar and cement mortar, and for the production of paints for the protection of buildings.

Abstract: Binder compositions are provided which include a mineral binder and a silicon-containing carbon black. The silicon-containing carbon black can have attached an ionic or ionizable organic group or can be oxidized. Silicon-containing carbon blacks may be prepared by a furnace method. The binder compositions of the present invention have improved coloring and weathering properties in comparison to binder compositions prepared with conventional carbon blacks. Furthermore, the binder compositions that incorporate silicon-containing carbon blacks having ionic or ionizable organic groups attached exhibit excellent dispersibility, even in pelletized form. Articles such as roofing tiles can be prepared from the binder compositions. Also contemplated is a method of improving the color stability of a mineral binder composition. Silicon-containing carbon blacks as described above are added to the mineral binder composition.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for coloring cement based compositions comprising water, pigment, a suspension enhancing agent and latex polymer solids.

Abstract: A method for coloring cementitious systems using compacted inorganic granules, wherein said compacted inorganic granules comprise an inorganic pigment and a dispersing agent. Particularly, a method for coloring cementitious systems using compacted inorganic granules; wherein said compacted inorganic granules are produced by a process consisting of: (a) mixing an inorganic pigment and a dispersing agent, (b) compacting the mixture, (c) milling the compacted mixture, and (d) classifying the compacted mixture into at least one oversize material stream, at least one undersize material stream and at least one product stream of compacted inorganic granules; and wherein the coloring effect of the compacted inorganic granules in the cementitious system equals or exceeds the powder standard.

Abstract: Relates to an outer or top coating for water retention structures that comprises a water insoluble fluorescent compound that is invisible to the human eye under normal lighting conditions but which will fluoresce or glow and be visible to the human eye when illuminated with an ultraviolet or infrared radiation source.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for coloring cement based compositions comprising water, pigment, a suspension enhancing agent and latex polymer solids.

Abstract: The filter element comprises a filter medium which is incorporated into an assembly made of plastic components. At least one of the components incorporates titanium dioxide as a filler. The treatment of such a component with a laser produces a dark pigment within the component and thus can be used to form characters on the component to convey information regarding the filter element such as product part number, lot code, serial number or flow arrow.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a gypsum composition having improved setting and strength characteristics. More specifically, this invention relates to a gypsum composition comprising an acrylic latex and an aliphatic alcohol wherein the composition has a retarded setting rate. This gypsum composition may further comprise a melamine-formaldehyde polymer and/or a styrene butadiene latex. This invention further relates to an artificial marble gypsum composition.

Abstract: Binder compositions are provided which include a mineral binder and a silicon-containing carbon black. The silicon-containing carbon black can have attached an ionic or ionizable organic group or can be oxidized. Silicon-containing carbon blacks may be prepared by a furnace method. The binder compositions of the present invention have improved coloring and weathering properties in comparison to binder compositions prepared with conventional carbon blacks. Furthermore, the binder compositions that incorporate silicon-containing carbon blacks having ionic or ionizable organic groups attached exhibit excellent dispersibility, even in pelletized form. Articles such as roofing tiles can be prepared from the binder compositions. Also contemplated is a method of improving the color stability of a mineral binder composition. Silicon-containing carbon blacks as described above are added to the mineral binder composition.

Abstract: A sprayable, trowelable epoxy polysiloxane based coating and flooring composition exhibiting excellent weatherability in sunlight and superior chemical, corrosion and impact resistance after curing is made up of: (a) a resin component which includes a non-aromatic epoxy resin having at least two 1,2-epoxy groups per molecule; a polysiloxane and an organooxysilane; (b) an difunctional aminosilane hardener component; (c) an organotin catalyst; and (d) an aggregate or pigment component. Organic solvents and flow modifying agents may be added to facilitate spray application. The resin component, hardener component, aggregate component and desired catalysts are combined in the presence of a sufficient amount of water to promote the hydrolysis of polysiloxane and/or organooxysilane and the polycondensation of the silanols produced by such hydrolysis. The aminosilane and epoxide resin react to form a cured linear epoxy polymer.

Abstract: A mineral binder composition having incorporated therein a carbon black product comprising a carbon black having attached an organic group containing an ionic or an ionizable group.

Abstract: A process for preparing an iron-manganese colorant, from an aqueous media containing metal ions, having an effective amount of iron and manganese present to impart color to building materials is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for dispersing pigment in cement based compositions comprising a predetermined and prepackaged amount of a cement based component and a predetermined and prepackaged amount of an aqueous dispersion of a pigment containing component.

Abstract: A blend for producing refractory imitation fireplace objects comprises between 30% and 50% amorphous aluminum siliceous mineral silicate, between 1% and 5% fibre and between 40% and 60% high temperature cement. A method of producing a slurry for casting the refractory objects consists of blending the amorphous aluminum siliceous mineral silicate, the fibre, an aggregate and colorant, adding and blending a high temperature cement and a dispersant and adding between 35% and 45% by weight of water.

Abstract: A structural product fabricated from waste materials and a method for making the product. The product includes fly ash, cellulose-based material and an adhesive binder. The product advantageously has good strength with light weight, can be sawed or hammered like wood and is substantially resistant to fire. The composition is particularly useful for forming structural products such as bricks, panels, roof shingles, studs and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the coloration of building materials such as concrete or asphalt by granulated inorganic pigments.

Abstract: This invention relates to modifying the surface of particles for improved dispersion characteristics in aqueous, solvent, resinous, polymeric, cementitious or the like application systems. In particular, this invention relates to a pigment or filler particle whose surface is coated with at least one electric charge modifying agent and at least one dispersion promoting agent, which has improved dispersibility, coloring, handling, and other processing properties in application systems. The electric charge modifying agent may be selected from the group of Mg, Ca, Ba, Sr, Ti, V, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Al. The dispersion promoting agent may be selected from the group of stearates, acetates, alkylphenols, cellulosics, waxes, lignins, polyacrylics, polyepoxies, polyurethanes, polyethylenes, polystyrenes and polypropylenes, and polymers having functional groups of alcohols, glycols, aldehydes, amides and carboxylic acids. Iron oxide is the preferred pigment particle.

Abstract: A multi-component settable epoxy blend for setting and grouting of ceramic tiles, pavers and quarry tiles, the first component comprising an epoxy resin and the second component comprising an epoxy hardener wherein one of the first or second components has a plurality of subcomponents, at least two of the subcomponents further comprising a color pigment additive which defines the same or different colors so that when the subcomponents are combined they produce a grout having a specific color shade selected by the user.

Abstract: A tracer material having an identifiable property associated with a particular type product and/or a particular manufacturer is blended with dry, powder hydraulic cement-based building materials, which set to a hardened product after admixing with water or another hardening agent, to provide the capability of making a simple analysis of the hardened product to determine the presence or absence of the tracer material and thereby positively identify whether the building material used to produce the hardened product was a particular type and/or supplied by a particular manufacturer. The building material can be analyzed in the dry powder form prior to use to make the same type determination.

Abstract: A method for coloring building materials is disclosed, wherein a pigment suspension is added to the building materials. The pigment suspension based on pigment granules contains at least one pigment such as iron oxide, and a soluble phosphate salt. The soluble phosphate salt has a number ratio of monofunctional metal ions to phosphorus of 2:1 to 1:1, and is exemplified by sodium pyrophosphate, sodium polyphosphate, and sodium hexametaphosphate.

Abstract: A method of making a construction material luminous in response to ultraviolet rays. An inorganic material containing an ultraviolet luminous substance can be used as pigment after formed into gravelish, sandy or fragmentary material and, thus, a sufficient amount of luminance thereof can be ensured over long years while being prevented from deterioration with time of pigment. In particular, when using as inorganic materials ores containing ultraviolet luminous substance which is obtainable at a low price, pigment can be prepared at a low cost and patterned and decorated construction materials can also be manufactured at a low cost. Further, with the use of a large number of small pieces containing ultraviolet luminous substances as a pattern composing pieces, patterns complicated in shape and various in color can easily be produced on the surface of a construction material.

Abstract: A tag is added to an asphalt additive, typically an anti-stripping agent. The additive dye is mixed with other components of an asphalt composition and melt processed at 300.degree. F. (149.degree. C.) or above to produce an asphalt composition. Presence of the tag to identify presence of the additive is performed by dissolving the asphalt portion of the composition in a water-immiscible solvent and then extracting the tag in an acidic aqueous solution and developing a color with a diazo compound.

Abstract: Colored marbled concrete and the process of producing same in a variety of different hues and color or colors by mixing dye into the primary mix, and then adding accent color or colors mixed separately and added gently to the primary mix to create a marble effect.

Abstract: Building materials such as plaster, lime-sand bricks, fiber cement parts, cast stones, roof tiles, flagstone and paving setts are colored by incorporating therein in organic granules produced from a suspension of one or more inorganic pigmenting agents and a hydrolyzed or poorly soluble compound of one or more ion types present per se as an essential constitutent in one or more pigments.

Abstract: Building materials are colored with pigments, for example iron oxide pigments, in the form of granules produced from a suspension of one or more pigments wherein the suspension also contains 0.05 to 5% of soluble salts, based on pigment weight.

Abstract: Colored building materials are produced by incorporating into the building materials inorganic pigments in the form of granulates which are free-flowing and not dust forming wherein the pigments are produced from spray dried granulates by after-granulating.

Abstract: Building materials such as concrete can be colored by a black pigment which consists essentially of manganese ferrite of the composition Mn.sub.1+x Fe.sub.2-x O.sub.4 with a spinel structure wherein x has a numerical value from -0.1 to 0.1 and the pigment is prepared by a process whereina) soluble manganese (II) salts and soluble iron (II) salts are precipitated from a solution of metal salts by reaction with alkaline precipitating agents in an approximately stoichiometric ratio,b) the precipitate from a) is reacted with an oxidizing agent to form a pigment, andc) the pigment is filtered, washed, dried and ground.

Abstract: A device comprising a solid or powdered concrete admixture contained in a water-soluble container such that when the container and its contents are introduced into a wet mixer and agitated for a period of time, the water-soluble container is dissolved and the contents are released into the wet mixer. A separate water-insoluble receptacle is used to house and store the water-soluble container and its contents. In addition, there is disclosed a method for modifying the properties of a concrete by introducing a pre-weighed amount of solid admixture contained in a water-soluble container into a wet mixer and thereafter agitating the resulting mix.

Abstract: Coloring materials used in a process of dyeing concrete consist of pigment granules other than compacted or briquetted granules. The granules consist of one or more pigments, one or more binders for promoting the dispersing of the pigments in the concrete, and optional other additives. Such pigment granules, particularly bead granules, will easily dissolve in the concrete mixer and will be homogeneously dispersed in the concrete.