Abstract: A shear panel building material that includes a first facing membrane, a core matrix disposed on a face of the first facing membrane, and a semi-rigid or rigid material attached to the core matrix. The core matrix can include microspheres having a size of about 200 microns to about 800 microns, sodium silicate, and ethylene vinyl acetate. In one aspect, the shear panel is substantially free from glue and cement.

Abstract: A method of forming a wallboard material can include forming a mixture including microparticles, sodium silicate and vinyl acetate. The mixture can be disposed between a metallic facing membrane and a second facing membrane. The mixture can then be heat cured in a single step sufficient to form a wallboard material having the metallic facing membrane and the second facing membrane attached to a core matrix. The heat curing time is complete in less than about 1.5 hours without causing damage to the wallboard material.

Abstract: A building material configured to enhance sound attenuation and reduction in dB across a walled partition, the building material comprising a facing membrane, a core matrix disposed about the facing membrane, the core matrix comprising a plurality of microparticles and a binder solution configured to support the microparticles, the building material comprising at least a substantially exposed face, wherein a side of the core matrix is at least partially exposed to increase sound attenuation by reducing reflections from sound waves impinging on the building material as compared to a control building material lacking an exposed face. Two building materials may be used in conjunction with one another about a building structure, such as a stud wall, to create and define a sound trap that functions to reduce sound transmission across the partition formed by the stud wall and building materials.

Abstract: A utility material can include microparticles, an organic binder and an inorganic binder. The microparticles can be present in an amount from about 25 wt % to about 60 wt %, based on wet formulation. The inorganic binder can optionally include sodium silicate. The organic binder can optionally include a vinyl acetate. The utility material can be formed into a variety of different products or building materials, such as wallboard, shear panels. In addition, the building material may be particularly used to attenuate sound.

Abstract: A multi-function vacuum bag for use in the manufacture of composites, wherein the vacuum bag may be configured to provide all-in-one capabilities, namely to function as the vacuum bag, a caul or caul sheet, release layer and/or a breather, as well as to provide other functions. Specifically, the multi-function vacuum bag allows a separate breather or breather material, a separate caul or caul layer, and a release or release layer all to be eliminated, if desired, as the multi-function vacuum bag is capable of performing the functions of each of these once formed. Furthermore, the multi-function vacuum bag may be used with various composite manufacturing process, such as VARTM or resin infusion processes, various vacuum bagging processes, filament winding processes, and others.

Abstract: A method for preparing a mandrel tooling member to receive a composite lay-up, the method comprising obtaining a mandrel tooling member having at least one working surface configured to support a composite lay-up; positioning a shrinkable material, in a pre-shrunk condition, about at least a portion of the mandrel tooling member and the working surface; and causing the shrinkable material to shrink and conform to the mandrel tooling member and the working surface to provide a barrier about the working surface.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing system comprising a first member having a surface defining, at least in part, an operating area; a flexible cover, having a sealing surface, configured to envelop the operating area of the first member; means for applying negative pressure to the operating area; a sealing component located between the surface of the first member and the sealing surface of the cover; and a reusable mechanical fastener operable to mechanically couple the cover to the first member with sufficient force so as to compress the sealing component, and to seal the operating area to permit drawing of a negative pressure.