Abstract: Additives for cementitious compositions are stabilized against particle agglomeration. The additive may be provided in an aqueous liquid admixture composition for cementitious compositions that includes the additive, a polymer thickener, and water, where the particles are stabilized against agglomeration and the admixture is stabilized against physical separation. The method for stabilizing the additive against particle agglomeration utilizes a pH sensitive thickener that may be activated through neutralization of acid groups on the polymer thickener. Methods of making cementitious compositions and hardened cementitious structures using the stabilized additive and admixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: Additives for cementitious compositions are stabilized against particle agglomeration. The additive may be provided in an aqueous liquid admixture composition for cementitious compositions that includes the additive, a polymer thickener, and water, where the particles are stabilized against agglomeration and the admixture is stabilized against physical separation. The method for stabilizing the additive against particle agglomeration utilizes a pH sensitive thickener that may be activated through neutralization of acid groups on the polymer thickener. Methods of making cementitious compositions and hardened cementitious structures using the stabilized additive and admixture are also disclosed.

Abstract: An additive for cementitious compositions for mitigating alkali-silica reaction (ASR) includes particles of alkali-silica reaction mitigating that are against agglomeration. The additive may be provided in an aqueous liquid admixture composition for cementitious compositions that includes the alkali-silica reaction mitigating additive, a thickening agent and water. The admixture utilizes a pH sensitive thickener in combination with pH adjustment to stabilize the particles of alkali-silica reaction mitigating additive against agglomeration. The admixture composition is used to mitigate the alkali-silica reactions in a cementitious composition. Methods of making the admixture, cementitious compositions and hardened cementitious structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a high quality paper pulp slurry from high silica content lignocellulosic agricultural waste materials is provided. The method includes combining the agricultural waste materials with a chemical composition to form a mixture, sautéing the mixture, and grinding the sautéed mixture to provide the pulp slurry. The method results in greater than 55 percent solids recovery in the pulp slurry relative to the starting lignocellulosic agricultural waste materials, and removes substantially none of the lignin from the agricultural waste materials.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, an auxiliary water-dispersible organic polymer, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the auxiliary polymer to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, an auxiliary water-dispersible organic polymer, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the auxiliary polymer to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix, optionally reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, a cellulosic ether, optionally fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the cellulosic ether to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, a cellulosic ether, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the cellulosic ether to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, a cellulosic ether, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the cellulosic ether to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the deposition of ettringite (3CaO-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.3Ca(SO.sub.4).multidot.30-32H.sub.2 O) onto the surfaces of fibers, aggregates, and other fillers. The ettringite is produced in situ within an aqueous suspension while in proximity to the fibers, aggregates, or other fillers to form a mineralized composite material comprising ettringite coated fibers, aggregates or other fillers. Ettringite treated fibers, aggregates, or other fillers are formed by adding chemical reactants such as calcium oxide and aluminum sulfate, which react together in the presence of water to form ettringite, which then precipitates onto the surface of the fibers or other substrates being treated.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a starch-bound matrix reinforced with fibers and optionally including an inorganic mineral filler. Suitable mixtures for forming the sheets are prepared by mixing together water, unmodified and ungelatinized starch granules, a cellulosic ether, fibers, and optionally an inorganic mineral filler in the correct proportions to form a sheet having desired properties. The mixtures are formed into sheets by passing them between one or more sets of heated rollers to form green sheets. The heated rollers cause the cellulosic ether to form a skin on the outer surfaces of the sheet that prevents the starch granules from causing the sheet to adhere to the rollers upon gelation of the starch. The green sheets are passed between heated rollers to gelatinize the starch granules, and then to dry the sheet by removing a substantial portion of the water by evaporation.