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: 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: Water soluble air controlling agents can be admixed with dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. The water soluble air controlling agents are compatible with water based dispersants. Suitable water soluble air controlling agents include alkoxylated polymers. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent.

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: A dry cast article and method for making the same, wherein the dry cast article includes an oligomeric dispersant that is a reaction product of two or three moieties is provided. To make a dry cast article, hydraulic cement, water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, optionally a surface active agent/air entraining agent, and an oligomeric dispersant are mixed and used to form a dry cast article from the mixture.

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.

Abstract: A composition that is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, functional moiety that can adsorb onto a 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: An overhead media display system for installation of signs and display elements on a suspended ceiling and other ceiling fixtures is disclosed. The present system includes a plurality of interchangeable display structures of different geometric shapes and sizes, which are constructed from both transparent and translucent materials that function with backlighting being installed directly underneath ceiling light fixtures and, alternatively, from opaque plastic materials being attached at ceiling locations without direct illumination. Each sign or display element includes integral retaining flanges with compressive elements that are formed by the use of die-cutting, scoring, folding, and other assembly techniques during construction thereby eliminating the need for fastening hardware and adhesive materials for installation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cementitious dry cast mixtures for forming cementitious articles, particularly a cementitious dry cast mixture containing a dispersant, wherein said dispersant is a derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant which is a polymer comprising units derived from at least a substituted carboxylic acid monomer or substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and optionally including at least one of an unsaturated hydrocarbon, an N-polyoxyalkylene maleimide, and a condensation product of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid monomer and an alkoxypolyoxyalkylene primary amine substituted carboxylic acid monomer.

Abstract: A cementitious formulation comprising a cement and an oligomeric dispersant is provided. The dispersant is a reaction product of two or three moieties. The first moiety (A) is a nonpolymeric, functional moiety that adsorbs onto a particle, and wherein one or more A moieties together contain at least two residues to provide attachment of the dispersant onto a particle to be dispersed. The second required moiety (C) is a linear or branched water soluble, nonionic polymer that provides the 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. A method is provided for dispersing a cementitious formulation comprising a cement in water, including providing in said cementitious formulation the above oligomeric dispersant.

Abstract: Water soluble air controlling agents can be admixed with dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. The water soluble air controlling agents are compatible with water based polycarboxylate polymer dispersants. Suitable water soluble air controlling agents include alkoxylated polymers. A cementitious composition is provided that includes cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent. A method is provided for making a cementitious composition that includes mixing cement, water, a dispersant for cementitious compositions, and a water soluble air controlling agent.

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.

Abstract: Heating an intimate mixture of: (a) a polyamide which contains pendant carboxylic acid groups; and (b) a compound which contains an amino group efficiently affords graft polymers with a high graft density. Such graft polymers are particularly useful as additives for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A cementitious mixture comprises a hydraulic cement; greater than about 10% by weight of a pozzolanic cement replacement selected from fly ash, slag, natural pozzolans, and mixtures thereof, based on the weight of said hydraulic cement and cement replacement; and a compatabilizing admixture, wherein the compatabilizing admixture comprises a compatabilizing derivatized polycarboxylate polymer dispersant capable of acting as a water reducer, in combination with an accelerator. The derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant, alone or in combination with other derivatized polycarboxylate dispersants, is a polymer comprising units derived from at least one of a substituted carboxylic acid monomer and a substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one of an N-polyoxyalkylene maleimide and a condensation product of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid monomer and an alkoxypolyoxyalkylene primary amine substituted carboxylic acid monomer, and optionally including an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Heating an intimate mixture of: (a) a polyamide which contains pendant carboxylic acid groups; and (b) a compound which contains an amino group efficiently affords graft polymers with a high graft density. Such graft polymers are particularly useful as additives for cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A cementitious mixture comprises a hydraulic cement; greater than about 10% by weight of a pozzolanic cement replacement selected from fly ash, slag, natural pozzolans, and mixtures thereof, based on the weight of said hydraulic cement and cement replacement; and a compatabilizing admixture, wherein the compatabilizing admixture comprises a compatabilizing derivatized polycarboxylate polymer dispersant capable of acting as a water reducer, in combination with an accelerator. The derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant, alone or in combination with other derivatized polycarboxylate dispersants, is a polymer comprising units derived from at least one of a substituted carboxylic acid monomer and a substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one of an N-polyoxyalkylene maleimide and a condensation product of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid monomer and an alkoxypolyoxyalkylene primary amine substituted carboxylic acid monomer, and optionally including an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to derivatized polycarboxylate dispersants for cementitious mixtures, including those mixtures with high percentages of pozzolan cement replacement and dry cast applications. In particular, the invention is directed to a cementitious mixture comprising cement, including cements with high percentages of pozzolan cement replacement, water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and including a dispersant, wherein said dispersant is a derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant, or combination of polycarboxylate dispersants, which is a derivatized polymer comprising a backbone having moieties derived from (a) an unsaturated hydrocarbon; (b) at least one of a substituted carboxylic acid monomer, a substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and maleic anhydride; and (c) optionally including an N-polyoxyalkylene succinimide; and wherein derivative moieties are pendant to the backbone monomer by at least one ester linkage and at least one amide linkage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cementitious dry cast mixtures for forming cementitious articles, particularly a cementitious dry cast mixture containing a dispersant, wherein said dispersant is a derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant which is a polymer comprising units derived from at least a substituted carboxylic acid monomer or substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and optionally including at least one of an unsaturated hydrocarbon, an N-polyoxyalkylene maleimide, and a condensation product of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid monomer and an alkoxypolyoxyalkylene primary amine substituted carboxylic acid monomer.

Abstract: A cementitious mixture comprises a hydraulic cement; greater than about 10% by weight of a pozzolanic cement replacement selected from fly ash, slag, natural pozzolans, and mixtures thereof, based on the weight of said hydraulic cement and cement replacement; and a compatabilizing admixture, wherein the compatabilizing admixture comprises a compatabilizing derivatized polycarboxylate polymer dispersant capable of acting as a water reducer, in combination with an accelerator. The derivatized polycarboxylate dispersant, alone or in combination with other derivatized polycarboxylate dispersants, is a polymer comprising units derived from at least one of a substituted carboxylic acid monomer and a substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomer, at least one of an N-polyoxyalkylene maleimide and a condensation product of an unsubstituted carboxylic acid monomer and an alkoxypolyoxyalkylene primary amine substituted carboxylic acid monomer, and optionally including an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A substantially non-crosslinked polymer cementitious composition dispersant for the improvement of the fluidity of cementitious compositions comprising hydrophilic side chain substituted polyimide or polyamide backbone units, having at least some proportion of grafted oligomeric or polymeric hydrophilic side chains linking at least one of amides, esters, and thioesters, wherein the polymer cementitious composition is water soluble, and wherein crosslinking is such that in a statistical sampling there is greater than zero to less than 0.1 mole % of backbone units involved in crosslinking.