Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition comprising: dispersing expanded polymeric microspheres into a liquid dispersion, optionally wherein the liquid dispersion comprises an aqueous dispersion; and incorporating the liquid dispersion comprising expanded polymeric microspheres into the cementitious composition; wherein the expanded polymeric microspheres are present in the liquid dispersion in an amount of about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion, prior to incorporation into the cementitious composition. An admixture for cementitious compositions comprising unexpanded polymeric microspheres and sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A cementitious composition including at least one cementitious material and at least one crack reducing admixture including: (i) from 0 to about 5 weight percent of at least one alcohol, based on the total weight of the admixture excluding water; and (ii) a compound having the chemical structure of formula (III): wherein: v is an integer from 0 to 50 and w is an integer from 0 to 50, with the proviso that the sum of v and w is at least 1 but not greater than 50. Also, methods of making the cementitious composition, reducing or eliminating the formation of cracks in a cementitious composition as the cementitious composition cures, and limiting the size of cracks which form in a cementitious composition as the cementitious composition cures using an admixture for cementitious compositions as described herein.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: A method of expanding expandable polymeric microspheres including contacting an aqueous slurry including unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with steam in-situ during manufacture of a cementitious composition or article, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further includes an admixture therefor. A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition or article includes: (i) contacting an aqueous slurry of unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with steam proximate to and/or during said manufacturing of the cementitious composition to create expanded polymeric microspheres; (ii) pre-wetting the expanded polymeric microspheres; and (iii) mixing the pre-wetted, expanded polymeric microspheres with cement and water to form the cementitious composition, wherein the aqueous slurry optionally further comprises an admixture therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus including: (a) a steam generator having a power output of less than or equal to about 6 boiler horsepower; (b) a steam conduit in fluid communication with the steam generator; (c) a fluid material conduit in fluid communication with a source of a fluid material, wherein the fluid material includes unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres; (d) a treatment zone in fluid communication with the steam generator via the steam conduit, and with the fluid material conduit, such that the fluid material is contacted by steam within the treatment zone; and (e) a back pressure generator in fluid communication with the treatment zone, capable of increasing pressure in the treatment zone, which results in expansion of the expandable polymeric microspheres when the fluid material exits the treatment zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of polysulfones having a yellowness index according to DIN 6167 of less than 19 and polyether sulfones having a yellowness index according to DIN 6167 of less than 30, wherein the polymerization is carried out in basic, aprotic solvents with the use of a positively conveying stirrer passing close to the wall. The present invention also relates to the polyether sulfones and polysulfones obtainable for the first time by this process and to the use of such polymers for the production of moldings, films, membranes and foams.