Abstract: Effective use of dispersants in wallboard containing foam results from a method where stucco is mixed with a first dispersant and a first quantity of water to form a gypsum slurry. A soap is blended with a second dispersant and a second quantity of water to make a foam. Subsequently, the foam is combined with the slurry. Choice of different first and second dispersants and their relative amounts allows control of the size distribution of the foam bubbles in the slurry and the resulting voids in the gypsum core. Melamine sulfonate condensate and polycarboxylate dispersants are preferred dispersants.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry is described that includes water, a hydraulic component comprising at least 50% calcined gypsum by weight based on the dry weight of the hydraulic component, foam, a defoamer and a polycarboxylate dispersant. In some embodiments of the invention, the defoamer is combined with the dispersant prior to being added to the gypsum slurry. The defoamer and dispersant can be added as a physical mixture, wherein the defoamer is attached onto the dispersant polymer, or a combination thereof. A gypsum building panel is made from the gypsum slurry.

Abstract: A fibrous mat-faced cementitious article comprising (a) a cementitious core, and (b) a first fibrous mat comprising polymer or mineral fibers and a hydrophobic finish on at least one surface thereof, wherein the hydrophobic finish is in contact with the cementitious core, and a method of preparing a fibrous mat-faced cementitious article, as well as a method of preparing a water-resistant cementitious article comprising (a) preparing an aqueous siloxane dispersion, wherein the dispersion comprises about 4 wt. % to about 8 wt. % siloxane, (b) combining the siloxane dispersion with a cementitious mixture to provide a cementitious slurry, (c) depositing the cementitious slurry onto a substrate, and (d) allowing the cementitious slurry to harden, thereby providing a cementitious article.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry is described that includes water, a hydraulic component comprising at least 50% calcined gypsum by weight based on the dry weight of the hydraulic component, foam, a defoamer and a polycarboxylate dispersant. In some embodiments of the invention, the defoamer is combined with the dispersant prior to being added to the gypsum slurry. The defoamer and dispersant can be added as a physical mixture, wherein the defoamer is attached onto the dispersant polymer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, a gypsum building panel is made from the gypsum slurry.

Abstract: A fibrous mat-faced cementitious article comprising (a) a cementitious core, and (b) a first fibrous mat comprising polymer or mineral fibers and a hydrophobic finish on at least one surface thereof, wherein the hydrophobic finish is in contact with the cementitious core, and a method of preparing a fibrous mat-faced cementitious article, as well as a method of preparing a water-resistant cementitious article comprising (a) preparing an aqueous siloxane dispersion, wherein the dispersion comprises about 4 wt. % to about 8 wt. % siloxane, (b) combining the siloxane dispersion with a cementitious mixture to provide a cementitious slurry, (c) depositing the cementitious slurry onto a substrate, and (d) allowing the cementitious slurry to harden, thereby providing a cementitious article.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry is described that includes water, a hydraulic component comprising at least 50% calcined gypsum by weight based on the dry weight of the hydraulic component, foam, a defoamer and a polycarboxylate dispersant. In some embodiments of the invention, the defoamer is combined with the dispersant prior to being added to the gypsum slurry. The defoamer and dispersant can be added as a physical mixture, wherein the defoamer is attached onto the dispersant polymer, or a combination thereof. A gypsum building panel is made from the gypsum slurry.

Abstract: An improved gypsum slurry that includes water, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a polycarboxylate dispersant and a modifier. The modifier is chemically configured to improve the efficacy of the polycarboxylate dispersant. Preferred modifiers include cement, lime, slaked lime, soda ash, carbonates, silicates and phosphates.

Abstract: A method of testing penetration of a slurry through a mat facer includes the steps of placing the facer mat beneath a slurry test dispenser, storing slurry in a reservoir of the slurry test dispenser, dispensing slurry from the slurry test dispenser onto a first surface of the mat facer, allowing the slurry to harden, and observing the second surface of the mat facer for slurry penetration.

Abstract: A cementitious article and a method of making a cementitious article are disclosed. The cementitious article comprises a cementitious component that comprises a polyvinyl acetate type polymer, a monobasic phosphate, and optionally boric acid. Cementitious articles, such as board, are prepared such that the polyvinyl acetate type polymer, the monobasic phosphate, and optionally boric acid can be present in the cementitious core, and/or in dense layers if present. The concentration of the polyvinyl acetate type polymer, monobasic phosphate, and optionally boric acid in the cementitious article can increase from a central region A to peripheral regions B and C, respectively. In some embodiments, the polyvinyl acetate type polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol and the monobasic phosphate is monoammonium phosphate.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry includes water, a hydraulic component including stucco and a polycarboxylate dispersant. The dispersant has two repeating units wherein the first repeating unit is an olefinic unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid repeating unit or an ester or salt, and the second repeating unit is a vinyl or allyl group bound to a polyether by an ether linkage. The slurry can be made into a gypsum panel.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry includes water, a hydraulic component including stucco and a polycarboxylate dispersant. The dispersant has two repeating units wherein the first repeating unit is an olefinic unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid repeating unit or an ester or salt, and the second repeating unit is a vinyl or allyl group bound to a polyether by an ether linkage. The slurry can be made into a gypsum panel.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry includes water, a hydraulic component including stucco and a polycarboxylate dispersant. The dispersant has two repeating units wherein the first repeating unit is an olefinic unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid repeating unit or an ester or salt, and the second repeating unit is a vinyl or allyl group bound to a polyether by an ether linkage. The slurry can be made into a gypsum panel.

Abstract: A cementitious composite article comprising (a) a cementitious core, (b) a skim coat cementitious layer in contact with the cementitious core having a density greater than the cementitious core, and (c) a fibrous mat comprising (i) microfibers and (ii) continuous fibers having a length of about 0.6 cm or more, wherein the fibrous mat comprises an inner surface in contact with the skim coat cementitious layer; as well as a method for manufacturing same.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry includes water, a hydraulic component including stucco and a polycarboxylate dispersant. The dispersant has two repeating units wherein the first repeating unit is an olefinic unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid repeating unit or an ester or salt, and the second repeating unit is a vinyl or allyl group bound to a polyether by an ether linkage. The slurry can be made into a gypsum panel.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry includes water, a hydraulic component including stucco and a polycarboxylate dispersant. The dispersant has two repeating units wherein the first repeating unit is an olefinic unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid repeating unit or an ester or salt, and the second repeating unit is a vinyl or allyl group bound to a polyether by an ether linkage. The slurry can be made into a gypsum panel.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry includes water, a hydraulic component including stucco and a polycarboxylate dispersant. The dispersant has two repeating units wherein the first repeating unit is an olefinic unsaturated mono-carboxylic acid repeating unit or an ester or salt, and the second repeating unit is a vinyl or allyl group bound to a polyether by an ether linkage. The slurry can be made into a gypsum panel.

Abstract: An improved gypsum slurry that includes water, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a polycarboxylate dispersant and a modifier. The modifier is chemically configured to improve the efficacy of the polycarboxylate dispersant. Preferred modifiers include cement, lime, slaked lime, soda ash, carbonates, silicates and phosphates.

Abstract: An improved gypsum slurry that includes water, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a polycarboxylate dispersant and a modifier. The modifier is chemically configured to improve the efficacy of the polycarboxylate dispersant. Preferred modifiers include cement, lime, slaked lime, soda ash, carbonates, silicates and phosphates.

Abstract: A gypsum slurry includes calcium sulfate hemihydrate, water and calcium sulfate dihydrate is coated with a hydrophilic, dispersible coating. The coating is less soluble than the calcium sulfate hemihydrate to delay exposure of the landplaster to the remainder of the slurry, preventing premature crystallization and the early stiffening that accompanies it. Another embodiment is a gypsum slurry that includes calcium sulfate hemihydrate, a polycarboxylate dispersant, water and coated calcium sulfate dihydrate. In this case, the hydrophilic, dispersible coating is selected to serve as a modifier to enhance the ability of the dispersant to fluidize the gypsum slurry.

Abstract: In a method of making a gypsum slurry, a polycarboxylate dispersant, a modifier and a hydraulic material comprising stucco are selected for use in the slurry. These components are then combined with water to form a slurry, where the modifier is added to the slurry prior to formation of a slurry phase by the water, the stucco and the dispersant. The modifier has been shown to be less effective when added after the dispersant and stucco have been contacted in an aqueous slurry. In a preferred embodiment, an amount of stucco is obtained and the modifier and dispersant are selected. A predissolved solution of a dispersant and modifier is prepared in water to form a solution prior to the addition of the stucco. After mixing the solution, the stucco is added to form the slurry. Optionally, the slurry is then shaped into a product and allowed to set.