Abstract: An aqueous gypsum plaster-cement composition comprises a hydraulic binder consisting of calcined gypsum and hydraulic cement in a weight ratio of from about 4:1 to about 2:1, an aggregate which comprises sand, a foam, a perlite, rice hulls or a mixture thereof, a superplasticizer comprising an air entraining agent, a retarder, and water in an amount of from about 0.4 to about 0.75 parts by weight per part of binder, with the proviso that the gypsum plaster-cement composition contains essentially neither a pozzolana nor lime. The use thereof, a method of constructing buildings using this composition and the buildings obtainable in this way are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a setting retarder for compounds that set hydraulically, containing at least one at least simple adduct and/or condensate, the retarder being produced by the reaction of at least one protein hydrolysate, one pure amino acid, amino acid mixture, and/or the hydrochlorides thereof having at least one mono-, di-, oligo- and/or polycarboxylic acid which is not derived from an amino acid, and/or a carboxylic acid derivative derived therefrom, wherein the carboxylic acid is selected from a group including carboxylic acid anhydrides, carboxylic acid halogenides, and/or carboxylic acid active esters.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided using whey protein as a retarder in a cementing composition for use in cementing operations in a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved foamed well cement slurries, additives and methods. The foamed well cement slurries are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, sufficient gas to form a foam and an effective amount of an additive for foaming the slurry comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.

Abstract: A method of reducing the curing time of drywall joint compound, and thereby reducing the time required to finish drywall joints or to repair plaster walls, includes adding a predetermined amount of a drying agent to a conventional ready-mixed drywall joint compound. The drying agent preferably comprises at least one compound selected from the group of compounds consisting of plaster of Paris, calcium carbonate, gypsum, crystallized silicon dioxide (quartz), Portland cement, perlite, lime, hydroxy ethyl ether of cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, starch, wood fiber, potassium naphthalene sulfon, aluminum sulfate, sodium citrate, ammonium tartrate, hydrolyzed protein, monosodium phosphate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, potassium sulfate and various trace materials, or mixtures thereof A sufficient amount of water is added to the drying agent to facilitate mixing the drying agent with the drywall joint compound to form a joint compound mixture.

Abstract: Novel compositions and methods are provided for forming masks used in air brush painting. The masking compositions used in this invention are liquids as applied and are hardenable into a friable paint masking layer. The preferred compositions of this invention are comprised of a hydratable binder, such as plaster of Paris, an inert filler, such as calcium carbonate, and water. The amount of the filler is selected relative to the amount of the binder to substantially weaken and make friable the resulting hardened layer. In the method of this invention the composition is applied to the area of a substrate to be masked. The applied layer if desired is shaped with a tool to provide details in the resulting mask. The layer is then hardened to form a brittle friable masking layer directly adhered to surface of the substrate. The substrate is then airbrush painted. The mask is removed by fracturing the mask and removing the resulting particles.

Abstract: Deinking by-product from wastepaper recycling operations and pulp mill clarifier sludge are incorporated into drywall or other gypsum-based building products, such as building blocks. The deinking by-product or pulp mill clarifier sludge is diluted and mixed with stucco (calcium sulfate hemihydrate). The resulting slurry preferably is subjected to an initial dewatering, following the on-set of hardening of the gypsum, and drywall or other building product is formed from the dewatered material. A significant loading of fibrous material in the drywall sheet or other gypsum product is achieved using the procedure, imparting improved flexural strength to the product. The preferred procedure also may be used to incorporate virgin or recycled wood pulp into the building product.