Abstract: A mat-faced gypsum board and method of making thereof is provided having a particulate matter applied on an inner surface of the facer mat and extending partially into the mat from the inner surface thereof. The particulate matter, which is preferably a hydratable powder such as calcium sulfate hemihydrate, minimizes and, preferably, prevents bleed through of a gypsum slurry during formation of the gypsum board.

Abstract: A method for forming a gypsum slurry comprises the steps of combining gypsum and water to form a slurry, combining cellulose ether with at least a second material configured to delay solubilization of the cellulose ether, and adding the combined cellulose ether and at least a second material to the slurry.

Abstract: A process for making calcined gypsum in slurry or powder form. The process includes adding at least two types of crystal modifiers to the slurry. The first crystal modifier is to control crystal morphology of the calcined gypsum (such as succinic and/or malic acid). The second crystal modifier is to prevent or retard setting to control set time (such as tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP)) to form a water stable product. An accelerator is typically added at the site of use for specific applications such as setting type joint compound, media casting, exterior/interior coating, and sprayable fireproofing. A composition made by the process and a kit for using the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example system for making a gypsum board product comprises a container for containing a gypsum slurry, a moving receiver in communication with the container, wherein the container substantially continuously deposits the gypsum slurry on the moving receiver. A first and at least a second cellulose ether supply containing a first cellulose ether communicate with the container. The first and second supplies contain cellulose ethers having different physical or chemical properties. A controller is configured to change the amount of the first and second cellulose ethers delivered to the container in response to a change in at least one slurry physical property.

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

Abstract: A gypsum-containing panel and a method of making it are disclosed including at least one facing layer having a first polymer that is reinforced with reinforcing fibers and a gypsum core that has a second polymer in a second polymer matrix interwoven with a gypsum matrix. The first polymer in the facing layer and said second polymer matrix in said gypsum core form a continuous polymer matrix.

Abstract: A method of continuously forming a multilayer panel includes making a gypsum slurry, then dividing the gypsum slurry into at least a primary gypsum slurry and a secondary gypsum slurry. An additive slurry having water and an intumescent material is created, then added to the secondary gypsum slurry to make an expandable layer slurry that is spread over at least a portion of a facing material. The primary gypsum slurry is distributed over the secondary gypsum slurry over the facing material and the expanding layer slurry to form a core. Optionally, another layer, an edge coating, is applied to the expanding layer for additional fire protection. The edge coating includes a second intumescent material. During a fire, the expanding layer expands to increase the thickness of the fire exposed gypsum panel and the edge coating expands to seal the gap between adjoining gypsum panels.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a blend of alpha- and beta-stucco including a slurry calcination step to produce alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate followed by a fluidized bed calcination step to produce beta calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The process starts with 50-75% gypsum-containing solids slurry, and then steam calcines the slurry in a first reactor to form partially calcined gypsum slurry which contains calcium sulfate dihydrate and alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The partially calcined slurry is then dewatered. Then the filter cake is fed into a kettle to complete the calcination process by converting the calcium sulfate dihydrate of the filter cake material into beta calcium sulfate hemihydrate.

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 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 coating for preparing a floor underlayment to receive an adhesive includes a water-soluble, latex polymer, a defoamer and a dual-function surface enhancing agent. The surface enhancing agent includes a set accelerator that also functions to cross link the adhesive, hardening the surface of the underlayment using at least two mechanisms. One embodiment of the invention is a dry mixture that forms a coating when added to water. The dry mixture includes from about 10% to about 50% of the redispersible polymer by weight based on the mixture, from about 50% to about 90% of the surface enhancing agent and from about 0.15% to about 0.25% of the defoamer by weight based on the mixture. Other embodiments describe a liquid coating formed by adding from about 1 to about 8 pails water to 1 part of the dry mixture on a volumc basisby volume based on the mixture.

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: 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: Polymerization of siloxane is improved using a gypsum-based slurry that includes stucco, Class C fly ash, magnesium oxide and an emulsion of siloxane and water. This slurry is used in a method of making water-resistant gypsum articles that includes making an emulsion of siloxane and water, then combining the slurry with a dry mixture of stucco, magnesium oxide and Class C fly ash. The slurry is then shaped as desired and the stucco is allowed to set and the siloxane polymerizes. The resulting product is useful for making a water-resistant gypsum panel having a core that includes interwoven matrices of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals and a silicone resin, where the interwoven matrices have dispersed throughout them a catalyst comprising magnesium oxide and components from a Class C fly ash.

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. Use of the same dispersant in both the mixer and the foam water provides a boost in efficacy of the dispersant.

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: A slurry is made including water, at least 50% by weight calcium sulfate hemihydrate, and a specific polycarboxylate dispersant prepared using at least three repeating units. A first repeating unit is a vinyl ether-type repeating unit. A second repeating unit includes a maleic acid-type repeating unit. A third repeating unit includes an acrylic acid-type repeating unit. The polymer dispersant has a molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 80,000 Daltons. The slurry made from this composition can be made at reduced water levels to speed drying and reduce drying costs.

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.