Abstract: Surface retarder coating compositions of the invention are based on the use of at least one non-Ordinary Portland Cement (non-OPC) binder and at least one OPC set retarder agent, which are provided in powder form that can be mixed with water at the construction site. The coating is applied onto the surface of a mould or formwork using roller or spray equipment, and concrete can then be cast within 30-60 minutes against the coating. The OPC set-retarding agent operates to retard setting of the concrete so that it can be de-moulded the next day and its surface can be removed using a high pressure water spray to reveal aggregate embedded beneath the removed surface.

Abstract: Surface retarder coating compositions of the invention are based on the use of at least one non-Ordinary Portland Cement (non-OPC) binder and at least one OPC set retarder agent, which are provided in powder form that can be mixed with water at the construction site. The coating is applied onto the surface of a mould or formwork using roller or spray equipment, and concrete can then be cast within 30-60 minutes against the coating. The OPC set-retarding agent operates to retard setting of the concrete so that it can be de-moulded the next day and its surface can be removed using a high pressure water spray to reveal aggregate embedded beneath the removed surface.

Abstract: The invention provides ‘thixotropy’ monitoring, by measuring the reversible, time-dependent reduction in viscosity occurring when concrete is subjected to mixing, and employs a mixing drum and conventional slump monitoring equipment as used on ready-mix trucks. In one embodiment, the drum is rotated until concrete is completely mixed; the speed is altered, such as by increasing it to a predetermined level; and the energy required to rotate the drum (ER) is monitored; the maximum (ER-MAX) and minimum (ER-MIN) values are recorded in computer memory; and these values are compared to pre-determined (target) values. Rheology factors (including viscosity, yield stress, and/or thixotropy) can be adjusted accordingly by adding liquid component(s) into the mix. This method, suitable for delivery of highly fluid concrete speed such as SCC, can involve transit and placement rheology targets during monitoring.

Abstract: The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions in which colloidal nano-particles are used for stabilizing a water-dispersible defoamer within a cement-dispersant-containing aqueous additive formulation for modifying hydratable cementitious compositions such as cement or concrete.

Abstract: The present invention discloses additive compositions, cementitious compositions, and methods for controlling air in cementitious compositions in which colloidal nano-particles are used for stabilizing a water-dispersible defoamer within a cement-dispersant-containing aqueous additive formulation for modifying hydratable cementitious compositions such as cement or concrete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersants such as superplasticizers for hydratable cementitious compositions, and more particularly to methods for achieving variable degrees of longer slump life in concrete and mortar without loss of stability. This is achieved by using two admixture systems. The first admixture composition has multi-components for achieving initial-slump-enhancement, later-slump-retention, and limiting initial slump. The second admixture composition has the later-slump-enhancing component. Alternatively, conventional water reducers or superplasticizers can be employed initially, followed by the later-slump-enhancing admixture composition.

Abstract: An exemplary surface active agent admixture composition of the invention comprises (1) a first surface active agent comprising a betaine, an alkyl or aryl or alkylaryl sulfonate, or mixture thereof; and (2) a second surface active agent comprising a nonionic oxyalkylene-containing polymer surfactant. The present invention therefore provides a system for ensuring the presence in a hydratable cementitious composition (when hardened) a sufficient air volume and sufficient air void fineness and consistency. Further exemplary admixture compositions may comprise one or more plasticizers and one or more clay activity-modifying agents. Cementitious compositions and methods for modifying cementitious compositions, which incorporate the above-mentioned surface active agent combination, are also described. The invention provides the ability to adjust and stabilize air void systems in hydratable cementitious compositions, while allowing conventional air entraining agent (AEA) dosage practices to be followed.

Abstract: The invention provides ‘thixotropy’ monitoring, by measuring the reversible, time-dependent reduction in viscosity occurring when concrete is subjected to mixing, and employs a mixing drum and conventional slump monitoring equipment as used on ready-mix trucks. In one embodiment, the drum is rotated until concrete is completely mixed; the speed is altered, such as by increasing it to a predetermined level; and the energy required to rotate the drum (ER) is monitored; the maximum (ER-MAX) and minimum (ER-MIN) values are recorded in computer memory; and these values are compared to pre-determined (target) values. Rheology factors (including viscosity, yield stress, and/or thixotropy) can be adjusted accordingly by adding liquid component(s) into the mix. This method, suitable for delivery of highly fluid concrete speed such as SCC, can involve transit and placement rheology targets during monitoring.

Abstract: Methods and compositions of the invention involve the use of crude intermediate fermentation broth, derived from industrial glucose fermentation processes prior to completion of purification steps, as additives and admixtures for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispersants such as superplasticizers for hydratable cementitious compositions, and more particularly to methods for achieving variable degrees of longer slump life in concrete and mortar without loss of stability. This is achieved by using two admixture systems. The first admixture composition has multi-components for achieving initial-slump-enhancement, later-slump-retention, and limiting initial slump. The second admixture composition has the later-slump-enhancing component. Alternatively, conventional water reducers or superplasticizers can be employed initially, followed by the later-slump-enhancing admixture composition.

Abstract: Methods and compostions of the invention involve the use of crude intermediate fermentation broth, derived from industrial glucose fermentation processes prior to completion of purification steps, as additives and admixtures for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: Exemplary compositions comprise at least one aldopentonic acid, such as xylonic acid; and further comprise a lignin, a lignosulfonic acid or its salt, an additional sugar acid such as a aldohexonic acid or salt, a conventional admixture (such as a polyacrylate superplasticizer, a corrosion inhibitor, a set retard, a set accelerator, etc.), or a mixture thereof. Exemplary methods for obtaining microbiologically or enzymatically converted sugar acids are also described herein.

Abstract: Admixture or additive which provides water-repellency and flexural bond strength improvement in mortar, concrete, or cement, and particularly in masonry mortars. An exemplary admixture composition includes: (a) at least one C8-C30 fatty acid or a derivative thereof, such as a salt, ester, or triglyceride; and (b) a flexural bond strength enhancing material comprising a polymer having a backbone to which are attached carboxyl cement anchoring groups and oxyalkylene groups attached by linkages selected from the group consisting of an amide, an imide, and an ester. A preferred additive optionally includes an air entraining admixture for improving workability of a masonry mortar into which the fatty acid or derivative and the flexural bond strength enhancing material are added. A cementitious composition and method for enhancing water-repellency and flexural bond strength in a masonry mortar are also disclosed.

Abstract: In the preparation of aqueous cement compositions containing a plasticizer, such as an EO/PO polymer-containing plasticizer, or EO/PO comb polymer-containing plasticizer, and further containing clay, such as a smectite clay, which expands when in contact with water, the step of providing an agent operative to modify the clay whereby the plasticizer absorbing capability of the clay is reduced. In exemplary methods of the invention, the plasticizer is an EO/PO (e.g., oxyalkylene) plasticizer and preferably an EO/PO comb polymer, and the clay-activity-modifying agent may comprise an inorganic cation, an organic cation, a polar organic molecule capable of being absorbed by the clay, a clay dispersant (such as a polyphosphate), or a mixture thereof. For clay-activity-modifying agents which comprise a cation or a polar organic molecule, the agent is preferably added to the clay before water is introduced to the clay.

Abstract: An exemplary surface active agent admixture composition of the invention comprises (1) a first surface active agent comprising a betaine, an alkyl or aryl or alkylaryl sulfonate, or mixture thereof; and (2) a second surface active agent comprising a nonionic oxyalkylene-containing polymer surfactant. The present invention therefore provides a system for ensuring the presence in a hydratable cementitious composition (when hardened) a sufficient air volume and sufficient air void fineness and consistency. Further exemplary admixture compositions may comprise one or more plasticizers and one or more clay activity-modifying agents. Cementitious compositions and methods for modifying cementitious compositions, which incorporate the above-mentioned surface active agent combination, are also described. The invention provides the ability to adjust and stabilize air void systems in hydratable cementitious compositions, while allowing conventional air entraining agent (AEA) dosage practices to be followed.

Abstract: In the preparation of aqueous cement compositions containing a plasticizer, such as an EO/PO polymerontaining plasticizer, or EO/PO comb polymer-containing plasticizer, and further containing clay, such as a smectite clay, which expands when in contact with water, the step of providing an agent operative to modify the clay whereby the plasticizer absorbing capability of the clay is reduced. In exemplary methods of the invention, the plasticizer is an EO/PO (e.g., oxyalkylene) plasticizer and preferably an EO/PO comb polymer, and the clay-activity-modifying agent may comprise an inorganic cation, an organic cation, a polar organic molecule capable of being absorbed by the clay, a clay dispersant (such as a polyphosphate), or a mixture thereof. For clay-activity-modifying agents which comprise a cation or a polar organic molecule, the agent is preferably added to the clay before water is introduced to the clay.

Abstract: An exemplary surface active agent admixture composition of the invention comprises (1) a first surface active agent comprising a betaine, an alkyl or aryl or alkylaryl sulfonate, or mixture thereof; and (2) a second surface active agent comprising a nonionic oxyalkylene-containing polymer surfactant. The present invention therefore provides a system for ensuring the presence in a hydratable cementitious composition (when hardened) a sufficient air volume and sufficient air void fineness and consistency. Further exemplary admixture compositions may comprise one or more plasticizers and one or more clay activity-modifying agents. Cementitious compositions and methods for modifying cementitious compositions, which incorporate the above-mentioned surface active agent combination, are also described. The invention provides the ability to adjust and stabilize air void systems in hydratable cementitious compositions, while allowing conventional air entraining agent (AEA) dosage practices to be followed.

Abstract: In the preparation of aqueous cement compositions containing a plasticizer, such as an EO/PO polymer-containing plasticizer, or EO/PO comb polymer-containing plasticizer, and further containing clay, such as a smectite clay, which expands when in contact with water, the step of providing an agent operative to modify the clay whereby the plasticizer absorbing capability of the clay is reduced. In exemplary methods of the invention, the plasticizer is an EO/PO (e.g., oxyalkylene) plasticizer and preferably an EO/PO comb polymer, and the clay-activity-modifying agent may comprise an inorganic cation, an organic cation, a polar organic molecule capable of being absorbed by the clay, a clay dispersant (such as a polyphosphate), or a mixture thereof. For clay-activity-modifying agents which comprise a cation or a polar organic molecule, the agent is preferably added to the clay before water is introduced to the clay.

Abstract: Admixture or additive which provides water-repellency and flexural bond strength improvement in mortar, concrete, or cement, and particularly in masonry mortars. An exemplary admixture composition includes: (a) at least one C8-C30 fatty acid or a derivative thereof, such as a salt, ester, or triglyceride; and (b) a flexural bond strength enhancing material comprising a polymer having a backbone to which are attached carboxyl cement anchoring groups and oxyalkylene groups attached by linkages selected from the group consisting of an amide, an imide, and an ester. A preferred additive optionally includes an air entraining admixture for improving workability of a masonry mortar into which the fatty acid or derivative and the flexural bond strength enhancing material are added. A cementitious composition and method for enhancing water-repellency and flexural bond strength in a masonry mortar are also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary emulsion admixture for use in hydraulic cement compositions formed by emulsifying an antifoaming agent, surfactant, and a comb polymer having a carbon-containing backbone to which are attached cement-anchoring members and oxyalkylene groups. A method of making a stable emulsion admixture comprising the comb polymer, as well as a hydraulic cement composition comprising the admixture, are also described.