Abstract: The present invention provides exemplary additive compositions and methods whereby hydratable cementitious compositions, such as concrete, can be modified using polycarboxylate type ether or ester cement dispersant polymers of a small size, in combination with at least one alkyl alkoxylate type surface active agent which typically hitherto is considered detergent-like in generating air bubbles (heads of foam) in aqueous environments. The present inventors discovered surprisingly that such agents could be used to control air content in plastic concrete mixes in combination with the polycarboxylate type ether or ester cement dispersant polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to very high workable yet controllable concrete mix design, admixture composition, and process for placing concrete. The mix design relates to particular aggregate/cement ratios and types which are characteristic of ready mix concrete (RMC), which provide high fluidity reminiscent of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), and which provides advantages over both RMC and SCC in terms of ease and speed in placement and finishability at the construction site placement zone, regardless of whether into a horizontal formwork (e.g., for slabs, floors) or into vertical formwork (e.g., for blocks, walls, columns, etc.), without loss of control and without generating high risks of segregation even when small amounts of water are added at the size to facilitate finishing of the concrete surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and admixture composition for making hydratable cementitious compositions, ones believed to have much less stickiness in comparison to prior methods. Decreased stickiness in concrete mixes means that they are easier to pour or to cast into place, as well as easier to finish. Dispersant carboxylate polymers of the invention having this ability are characterized by possessing two different, relatively short chain lengths of polyalkyleneoxide units and low weight-average molecular weights.

Abstract: The present invention relates to very high workable yet controllable concrete mix design, admixture composition, and process for placing concrete. The mix design relates to particular aggregate/cement ratios and types which are characteristic of ready mix concrete (RMC), which provide high fluidity reminiscent of self-consolidating concrete (SCC), and which provides advantages over both RMC and SCC in terms of ease and speed in placement and finishability at the construction site placement zone, regardless of whether into a horizontal formwork (e.g., for slabs, floors) or into vertical formwork (e.g., for blocks, walls, columns, etc.), without loss of control and without generating high risks of segregation even when small amounts of water are added at the size to facilitate finishing of the concrete surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and admixture composition for making hydratable cementitious compositions, ones believed to have much less stickiness in comparison to prior methods. Decreased stickiness in concrete mixes means that they are easier to pour or to cast into place, as well as easier to finish. Dispersant carboxylate polymers of the invention having this ability are characterized by possessing two different, relatively short chain lengths of polyalkyleneoxide units and low weight-average molecular weights.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polycationic compound in combination with a hydroxycarboxylic acid or salt thereof to enhance slump retention in cements and concretes having clay-bearing aggregates, wherein the clay otherwise absorbs or diminishes the dosage efficiency of polycarboxylate superplasticizers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, admixture compositions for treating clay-bearing aggregates used for construction purposes, and aggregate compositions for construction purposes. The clay-bearing aggregates are treated with a cationic copolymer made from two and preferably three different monomer components. Cementitious compositions containing the treated aggregates are also described.

Abstract: A concrete admixture composition concurrently using (A) a polycarboxylic acid type water-reducing agent for concrete, (B) a hydroxycarboxylic acid type water-reducing agent for concrete, and (C) a polysaccharide type thickening agent is offered, with the view to manufacture a high-performance and multi-functional concrete excelling in high fluidity, freshness retention, early strength, pumpability, material segregation resistance and anti-washout properties under water.

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: The present invention relates to the use of polycationic compound in combination with a hydroxycarboxylic acid or salt thereof to enhance slump retention in cements and concretes having clay-bearing aggregates, wherein the clay otherwise absorbs or diminishes the dosage efficiency of polycarboxylate superplasticizers.

Abstract: A concrete admixture composition concurrently using (A) a polycarboxylic acid type water-reducing agent for concrete, (B) a hydroxycarboxylic acid type water-reducing agent for concrete, and (C) a polysaccharide type thickening agent is offered, with the view to manufacture a high-performance and multi-functional concrete excelling in high fluidity, freshness retention, early strength, pumpability, material segregation resistance and anti-washout properties under water.

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: The present invention relates to a process for making a stable suspension comprising a polycarboxylate superplasticizer and a viscosity modifying agent for modifying a hydratable cementitous composition. A composition for modifying cementitious compositions, as well as the cementitious compositions, are also described herein.

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: 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: 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: The present invention is directed to an imidized polycarboxylic acid polymer useful as a cement admixture, to improved cement compositions containing said polymer and to a process of forming the same.