Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a protective packaging system suitable for use with a prefinished building article. The protective packaging system generally is designed to reduce shrink back of the flexible substrate after tension is applied. The protective packaging system generally comprises at least one outer layer, at least one core layer and at least one adhesive layer. One or more layers of the protective packaging system may include a roughening agent such that the flexible substrate will not “gloss” or burnish a coating on a prefinished building article. The protective packaging system may also include one or more biocides.

Abstract: Coating compositions suitable for machined cementitious substrates are provided. The coating compositions provide adhesion to the machined cementitious substrate while maintaining high mechanical film strength. The coating compositions are also compatible with industrial implementation, and exhibit good pot life.

Abstract: Integrally waterproof fiber cement composite materials including interior and exterior fiber cement articles for building structures are disclosed. Fiber cement formulations include small percentages of silica fume and silanol. Formulations may additionally include a cementitious binder, silica, and a density modifier such as calcium silicate or perlite. Advantageously, the addition of preselected small percentages of silica fume and silanol has been discovered to yield waterproofness at substantially lower concentrations of silica fume and silanol than would be required to yield waterproofness when using either silica fume or silanol alone.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a protective packaging system suitable for use with a prefinished building article. The protective packaging system generally is designed to reduce shrink back of the flexible substrate after tension is applied. The protective packaging system generally comprises at least one outer layer, at least one core layer and at least one adhesive layer. One or more layers of the protective packaging system may include a roughening agent such that the flexible substrate will not “gloss” or burnish a coating on a prefinished building article.

Abstract: Coating compositions suitable for machined cementitious substrates are provided. The coating compositions provide adhesion to the machined cementitious substrate while maintaining high mechanical film strength. The coating compositions are also compatible with industrial implementation, and exhibit good pot life.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fiber reinforced cement composite materials incorporating a fiber blend that includes cellulose pulp and synthetic fibers in a ratio selected to provide the composite material with improved water absorption characteristics and the same or improved mechanical properties as compared to equivalent composite materials reinforced with predominantly or all cellulose fibers. Also disclosed herein are fiber blends comprised of a combination of cellulose fibers and polypropylene fibers adapted to reinforce cementitious composite articles manufactured by the Hatschek process and autoclave cured.

Abstract: Improved coating formulations for cementitious composite building materials are disclosed herein. The coating formulations provide both sealer and primer functions, particularly for substrates in a high alkaline environment, such as fiber cement composite materials.

Abstract: Coating formulations for improving hide and holdout without sacrificing adhesion on cementitious substrates are provided. The coating formulations can achieve high hide and holdout with a low pigment volume concentration by utilizing particles with pre-selected oil absorption and particle size range. The coating formulations can be used as a functional for fiber cement substrates. When applied in combination with a top coat, the functional provides provide high hide and hold and enhanced adhesion while reducing pigment loading.

Abstract: A coating system which provides a stain finish on a fiber cement building article. The coating system comprising a sealing agent, a basecoat and a topcoat, wherein the coating system is disposed on at least one surface of the fiber cement building article whereby the sealing agent is disposed adjacent to the at least one surface of the fiber cement building article, the basecoat is disposed on the sealing agent remote from the surface of the fiber cement building article and the topcoat is disposed on the basecoat remote from the fiber cement building article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fiber reinforced cement composite materials incorporating a fiber blend that includes cellulose pulp and synthetic fibers in a ratio selected to provide the composite material with improved water absorption characteristics and the same or improved mechanical properties as compared to equivalent composite materials reinforced with predominantly or all cellulose fibers. Also disclosed herein are fiber blends comprised of a combination of cellulose fibers and polypropylene fibers adapted to reinforce cementitious composite articles manufactured by the Hatschek process and autoclave cured.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fiber reinforced cement composite materials incorporating a 3-mode fiber blend that includes cellulose pulp and synthetic fibers in a ratio selected to provide the composite material with improved water absorption characteristics and the same or improved mechanical properties as compared to equivalent composite materials reinforced with predominantly or all cellulose fibers. Also disclosed herein are fiber blends comprised of a combination of cellulose fibers and polypropylene fibers adapted to reinforce cementitious composite articles manufactured by the Hatschek process and autoclave cured.

Abstract: Multifunctional primer formulations are disclosed for composite building materials, such as materials that are generally cementitious, gypsum, or of another inorganic building material, including those containing cellulose, glass, steel or polymeric fibers. The multifunctional primer formulations provide multifunctional action to the primer including an ability to function as a primer and sealer in only a single coating. Such formulations when applied to a suitable substrate provide excellent adhesion to the substrate and improve paint adhesion and performance when applied thereto. Superior properties over commercial products is particularly notable when the formulations herein are applied to substrates, such as fiber cement, that have been manipulated or sized by cutting (e.g., by saw or water jet), sanding, punching, and/or shearing.

Abstract: An engineered composite building material, such as fiber cement, having one or more engineered sub-surface regions designed to provide the building material with improved moisture ingress resistance, paint adhesion, and other mechanical properties is provided. The sub-surface region has a cement-polymer matrix formed by introducing an impregnating agent into the pores of the substrate. The composite building material may be formed by applying impregnating agents to the subsurface regions of the substrate to form chemical and/or mechanical bonds with the matrix of the building material, the reinforcement fibers, and/or the surface coatings applied to the material. The thickness of the sub-surface regions may be controlled by varying the viscosity and porosity of the building material substrate. The cement-polymer building material has enhanced durability, weather resistance, strength, and stiffness.

Abstract: Described herein is a monolithic cementitious article with one or more pre-formed shaped regions. The shaped regions are generally channels that extend through a portion of the article or span the full article. The article includes one or more openings at least one of its ends. The article has a low apparent density with a high strength as well as high performance characteristics. The article when manufactured is suitable for use as a building product, such as siding, panel, trim, fascia, roofing, crown molding, decking, and fencing.

Abstract: Improved coating formulations for cementitious composite building materials are disclosed herein. The coating formulations provide both sealer and primer functions, particularly for substrates in a high alkaline environment, such as fiber cement composite materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fiber reinforced cement composite materials incorporating a 3-mode fiber blend that includes cellulose pulp and synthetic fibers in a ratio selected to provide the composite material with improved water absorption characteristics and the same or improved mechanical properties as compared to equivalent composite materials reinforced with predominantly or all cellulose fibers. Also disclosed herein are fiber blends comprised of a combination of cellulose fibers and polypropylene fibers adapted to reinforce cementitious composite articles manufactured by the Hatschek process and autoclave cured.

Abstract: A paint composition and formulation for building materials, such as materials that are generally cementitious, gypsum, or of another inorganic building material, including those containing cellulose, glass, steel or polymeric fibers. The paint formulation provides improved weatherability, durability, light stability, freeze-thaw resistance and water resistivity.

Abstract: Described herein is a cementitious article and a method of making using a water-based manufacturing system that incorporates a closed-loop or partially closed loop water recycling system and an alkali removal process. The system, as such is environmentally friendly, saves resources, such as water and other raw materials, and reduces waste disposal. The system further provides for a cementitious article having a low alkali content. Articles prepared by one or more processes described herein have characteristics that include a low apparent density, high strength and high freeze-thaw performance as compared with an article of the same general formulation but made from a comparative manufacturing system that does not include an alkali removal process. Articles described herein are suitable for use as building products, such as siding, the underlayment panel, board, trim, fascia, roofing, decking, and fence.

Abstract: Low density additives and methods of making said additives for composite materials are provided. The low density additives have at least a partial or complete water repellant property that reduces moisture migration, absorption, and retention within a composite material in which it is incorporated into. Active sites are engineered onto the surface of the low density additives to enhance bonding of the additives within a composite matrix. Reduced water movement and enhanced bonding lead to an increased strength and durability performance for a composite material comprising such additives. Composite materials incorporating one or more engineered low density additives as also provided, such composite materials having enhanced strength and durability. Such composite materials may be made from a Hatschek process. The composite materials may be further used as interior and exterior building products.

Abstract: An engineered composite building material, such as fiber cement, having one or more engineered sub-surface regions designed to provide the building material with improved moisture ingress resistance, paint adhesion, and other mechanical properties is provided. The sub-surface region has a cement-polymer matrix formed by introducing an impregnating agent into the pores of the substrate. The composite building material may be formed by applying impregnating agents to the subsurface regions of the substrate to form chemical and/or mechanical bonds with the matrix of the building material, the reinforcement fibers, and/or the surface coatings applied to the material. The thickness of the sub-surface regions may be controlled by varying the viscosity and porosity of the building material substrate. The cement-polymer building material has enhanced durability, weather resistance, strength, and stiffness.