Abstract: A method of expanding expandable polymeric microspheres including contacting an aqueous slurry including unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with heat in-situ during manufacture of cement. A method of manufacturing cement includes: (i) contacting an aqueous slurry of unexpanded, expandable polymeric microspheres with heat proximate to and/or during said manufacturing of cement to create expanded polymeric microspheres; (ii) optionally pre-wetting the expanded polymeric microspheres; and (iii) mixing the expanded polymeric microspheres with cement.

Abstract: A cementitious composition containing hydraulic cement, water, and a hyper-branched polyether surfactant. An aqueous admixture composition for cementitious compositions including a hyper-branched polyether surfactant, optionally a dispersant, optionally an additional surfactant or defoamer, and optionally a stabilizing agent. A method of making a cementitious composition including mixing cementitious material, water, a hyper-branched polyether surfactant, optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions, optionally an additional surfactant or defoamer, and optionally a stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A method of enhancing efficiency of a batching and/or mixing process for a concrete cementitious composition, includes adding an admixture containing dispersant molecules that bind very rapidly with cement particles and provide a dispersing effect and initial slump during the mixing process, wherein the dispersing effect diminishes rapidly. A multi-component admixture system for cementitious compositions includes: an ultrafast dispersant that binds very rapidly with cement particles, providing a dispersing effect and initial slump, wherein the dispersing effect diminishes rapidly; a general water reducing cement dispersant for providing workability; and, a latent dispersant copolymer having moieties capable of undergoing base-promoted hydrolysis to generate active cement binding sites over time, to extend slump and workability.

Abstract: A non-ionic polyether-polyester copolymer for extending workability to a cementitious mixture containing hydraulic cement and water, wherein the copolymer includes residues of at least the following monomers: Component A including an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester monomer having a moiety hydrolysable in the cementitious mixture, wherein the hydrolyzed monomer residue has an active binding site for a component of the cementitious mixture; and, at least one of: Component B including an ethylenically unsaturated, carboxylic acid ester or alkenyl ether monomer having at least one C2-4 oxyalkylene side group of about 1 to 30 units; or, Component C including an ethylenically unsaturated, carboxylic acid ester or alkenyl ether monomer having at least one C2-4 oxyalkylene side group of 31 to about 350 units; wherein the molar ratio of Component A to the sum of the molar ratios of Component B and Component C is about 1:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant, a set retarder, and a strength improvement additive.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant, a set retarder, and a strength improvement additive.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant, a set retarder, and a strength improvement additive.

Abstract: A cementitious composition containing hydraulic cement, water, and a hyper-branched polyether surfactant. An aqueous admixture composition for cementitious compositions including a hyper-branched polyether surfactant, optionally a dispersant, optionally an additional surfactant or defoamer, and optionally a stabilizing agent. A method of making a cementitious composition including mixing cementitious material, water, a hyper-branched polyether surfactant, optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions, optionally an additional surfactant or defoamer, and optionally a stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A process for the production of high early strength cementitious compositions includes mixing hydraulic cement, aggregate, water, and a slump retention admixture, wherein the slump retention admixture is a dynamic copolymer containing residues of at least the following monomers: A) a ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, B) an ethylenically unsaturated alkenyl ether having an C2-4 oxyalkylene chain of about 1 to 25 units, C) an ethylenically unsaturated alkenyl ether having an C2-4 oxyalkylene chain of 26 to about 300 units, and D) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising a moiety hydrolysable in the cementitious composition, wherein the monomer residue when hydrolyzed comprises an active binding site for a component of the cementitious composition. The present method is useful in the production of precast, ready mix, and/or highly filled cementitious compositions.

Abstract: Amine solubilizing agents are mixed with water insoluble defoamers and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. A method is provided for controlling the amount of air in a cementitious material in a predictable manner that includes mixing cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, an amine salt solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer, and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A process for the production of high early strength cementitious compositions includes mixing hydraulic cement, aggregate, water, and a slump retention admixture, wherein the slump retention admixture is a dynamic copolymer containing residues of at least the following monomers: A) a ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, B) an ethylenically unsaturated alkenyl ether having an C2-4 oxyalkylene chain of about 1 to 25 units, C) an ethylenically unsaturated alkenyl ether having an C2-4 oxyalkylene chain of 26 to about 300 units, and D) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising a moiety hydrolysable in the cementitious composition, wherein the monomer residue when hydrolyzed comprises an active binding site for a component of the cementitious composition. The present method is useful in the production of precast, ready mix, and/or highly filled cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant and strength improvement additive.

Abstract: An improved freeze-thaw durability dry cast cementitious composition is provided that uses very small (0.1 ?m to 100 ?m average diameter) polymeric microspheres that are blended directly into the mixture and optionally gas-generating additives. The polymeric microspheres provide void spaces in the material matrix that act to increase freeze-thaw durability of the material. In this dry cast cementitious composition, polymeric microspheres act as pre-formed voids.

Abstract: A non-ionic polyether-polyester copolymer for extending workability to a cementitious mixture containing hydraulic cement and water, wherein the copolymer includes residues of at least the following monomers: Component A including an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester monomer having a moiety hydrolysable in the cementitious mixture, wherein the hydrolyzed monomer residue has an active binding site for a component of the cementitious mixture; and, at least one of: Component B including an ethylenically unsaturated, carboxylic acid ester or alkenyl ether monomer having at least one C2-4 oxyalkylene side group of about 1 to 30 units; or, Component C including an ethylenically unsaturated, carboxylic acid ester or alkenyl ether monomer having at least one C2-4 oxyalkylene side group of 31 to about 350 units; wherein the molar ratio of Component A to the sum of the molar ratios of Component B and Component C is about 1:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant and strength improvement additive.

Abstract: A strength improvement admixture composition is provided that increases the compressive strength of cementitious compositions without negatively increasing the setting time. The admixture comprises the components of a polycarboxylate dispersant and strength improvement additive.

Abstract: An improved freeze-thaw durability wet cast cementitious composition is provided that uses in-situ production of gas by gas generating additives and optionally polymeric microspheres that are blended directly into the mixture. The gas generating additives and the polymeric microspheres provide void spaces in the material matrix, and such void spaces act to increase freeze-thaw durability of the material.

Abstract: A composition that is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, multi-functional moiety or combination of mono- or multifunctional moieties that adsorbs onto a cementitious particle. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that is capable of providing dispersing capability. A third moiety (B), if present, is a nonpolymeric moiety disposed between the first and second moiety, to connect the first and second moieties.

Abstract: Amine solubilizing agents are mixed with water insoluble defoamers and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and an amine solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, an amine solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer, and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: Solubilizing agents are mixed with water insoluble defoamers and a dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. Suitable solubilizing agents include alkoxylated moieties or particles. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cement, water, a water insoluble defoamer, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cement, water, a water insoluble defoamer, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer.