Abstract: A composite material includes a cementitious composition and a plurality of fibers disposed in the cementitious composition. Each of the plurality of fibers includes a plastic component. Each of the plurality of fibers further includes a surfactant and a metal oxide, each independently heterogeneously dispersed throughout each of the plurality of fibers. A method of forming the composite material includes the step of combining the plastic component, the surfactant, and the metal oxide, to form the plurality of fibers. The method further includes the step of disposing the plurality of fibers in the cementitious composition to form the composite material.

Abstract: A cementitious composition including at least one cementitious material and at least one crack reducing admixture including: (i) from 0 to about 5 weight percent of at least one alcohol, based on the total weight of the admixture excluding water; and (ii) a compound having the chemical structure of formula (III): wherein: v is an integer from 0 to 50 and w is an integer from 0 to 50, with the proviso that the sum of v and w is at least 1 but not greater than 50. Also, methods of making the cementitious composition, reducing or eliminating the formation of cracks in a cementitious composition as the cementitious composition cures, and limiting the size of cracks which form in a cementitious composition as the cementitious composition cures using an admixture for cementitious compositions as described herein.

Abstract: A composite material includes a cementitious composition and a plurality of fibers disposed in the cementitious composition. Each of the plurality of fibers includes a plastic component. Each of the plurality of fibers further includes a surfactant and a metal oxide, each independently heterogeneously dispersed throughout each of the plurality of fibers. A method of forming the composite material includes the step of combining the plastic component, the surfactant, and the metal oxide, to form the plurality of fibers. The method further includes the step of disposing the plurality of fibers in the cementitious composition to form the composite material.

Abstract: A cementitious composition including at least one cementitious material and at least one crack reducing admixture including: (i) from 0 to about 5 weight percent of at least one alcohol, based on the total weight of the admixture excluding water; and (ii) a compound having the chemical structure of formula (III): wherein: v is an integer from 0 to 50 and w is an integer from 0 to 50, with the proviso that the sum of v and w is at least 1 but not greater than 50. Also, methods of making the cementitious composition, reducing or eliminating the formation of cracks in a cementitious composition as the cementitious composition cures, and limiting the size of cracks which form in a cementitious composition as the cementitious composition cures using an admixture for cementitious compositions as described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable cleaning composition that includes a surfactant component including an ethoxylated 2-propyl heptanol, a chelating component including a tri-sodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid and an emulsifier component including an ethoxylated hexanol having the formula C6H13O(CH2CH2O)H. The ethoxylated 2-propyl heptanol has the formula C5H11CH(C3H7)CH2O(C2H4O)pH, wherein p is a number of from 3 to 6. The composition also includes water and an acid component to establish a pH of the composition at less than 2. The composition is substantially free of solvents thereby reducing emission of volatile organic compounds and reducing potential environmental pollution and health hazards. The composition is also effective in removing rust, lime soap, and metal salts of fatty acids from hard surfaces including metal, vinyl, and fiberglass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable cleaning composition that includes a surfactant component including an ethoxylated 2-propyl heptanol, a chelating component including a tri-sodium salt of methylglycinediacetic acid and an emulsifier component including an ethoxylated hexanol having the formula C6H13O(CH2CH2O)H. The ethoxylated 2-propyl heptanol has the formula C5H11CH(C3H7)CH2O(C2H4O)PH, wherein p is a number of from 3 to 6. The composition also includes water and an acid component to establish a pH of the composition at less than 2. The composition is substantially free of solvents thereby reducing emission of volatile organic compounds and reducing potential environmental pollution and health hazards. The composition is also effective in removing rust, lime soap, and metal salts of fatty acids from hard surfaces including metal, vinyl, and fiberglass.