Abstract: This invention discloses a new technology related to cellulose fiber reinforced cement composite materials using cellulose fibers that are treated with inorganic and/or organic resins to make the fibers more hydrophobic, as well as other chemical treatments. This invention discloses four aspects of the technology: fiber treatment, formulations, methods and the final product. This technology advantageously provides fiber cement building materials with the desirable characteristics of reduced water absorption, reduced rate of water absorption, lower water migration, and lower water permeability. This invention also impart the final products improved freeze-thaw resistance, reduced efflorescence, and improved rot and UV resistances, compared to conventional fiber cement products. These improved attributes are gained without loss in dimensional stability, strength, strain or toughness. In some cases the physical and mechanical properties are improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials used for building products, construction projects, structural objects, mechanical devices and other materials applications. Specifically, the invention concerns composite materials made with reinforcing elements in a binder matrix material. A method of strengthening materials is described that uses high volumes of reinforcing elements, which can be easily dispersed and uniformly distributed, consisting of large diameter fibers, miniature rods or other similar geometric shapes with a diameter or thickness between 0.05 mm and 20 mm where the reinforcements are incorporated either as short, randomly distributed elements or long, continuous aligned arrays.

Abstract: A cementitious mix for preparing a building block wherein the mix includes the ingredients; sand, cement, sawdust and water; wherein said sawdust comprises the greater proportion of the mix constituents; and wherein the dry density of the mix ranges between 700 kg/m3 and 1500 kg/m3.

Abstract: A concentrated one-coat mortar prepared for the application on a concrete based surface on the exterior or interior of a concrete building or other structure. The mortar is especially suited for application in high and low humidity and high and low temperature environments. As the mortar dries, its composition prevents the formation of cracks that commonly occur in commercially available mortars.

Abstract: A fast-setting, fibrous, Portland Cement-based building material is made by soaking wood chips in water to provide substantially saturated wood chips, combining the saturated wood chips with a slurry of Portland cement to provide a wood chip/cement slurry, mixing a slurry of monomagnesium phosphate (“MOP”) with the wood chip/cement slurry to provide a quick-setting MOP/wood chip/cement composition, and compressing the quick-setting MOP/wood chip/cement composition to make the fast-setting, fibrous, Portland Cement-based building material. The inventive composition combines the best properties of cement and wood, yet uses recycled materials to make an environmentally-friendly building material.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced building material in one embodiment incorporates cellulose fibers that are chemically treated with a dispersant to impart improved dispersibility to the fibers. The fibers are treated with a dispersant which deactivates the hydroxyl sites of the fiber surfaces and in some cases, making the fiber surface more hydrophobic. The dispersant inhibits the hydroxyl groups on the cellulose fiber surface from bonding with hydroxyl groups of other fibers and from bonding with hydroxyl groups of the same fiber, thereby significantly reducing inter-fiber and intra-fiber hydrogen bonding. The treated fibers can be readily dispersed and uniformly distributed throughout a mixture without re-clustering or reclumping once the mechanical mixing action stops.

Abstract: A fast-setting, fibrous, Portland Cement-based building material is made by soaking wood chips in water to provide substantially saturated wood chips, combining the saturated wood chips with a slurry of Portland cement to provide a wood chip/cement slurry, mixing a slurry of monomagnesium phosphate (“MOP”) with the wood chip/cement slurry to provide a quick-setting MOP/wood chip/cement composition, and compressing the quick-setting MOP/wood chip/cement composition to make the fast-setting, fibrous, Portland Cement-based building material. The inventive composition combines the best properties of cement and wood, yet uses recycled materials to make an environmentally-friendly building material.

Abstract: A microabrasive tool is formed from a slurry including liquid, abrasive grains, a bonding material, and a polymer—for example, gellan gum. The slurry is cast in a mold, and the polymer is ionically cross-linked. Cross-linking the polymer fixes the structure of the bonding material and the abrasive grains, wherein the abrasive grains are dispersed substantially uniformly within the bonding material. The ionically cross-linked structure of bonding material and abrasive grains can then be fired to form a microabrasive tool.

Abstract: A fiber cement composite material providing improved rot resistance and durability, the composite material incorporating biocide treated fibrous pulps to resist microorganism attacks. The biocide treated fibers have biocides attached to inner and outer surfaces of individualized fibers to protect the fibers from fungi, bacteria, mold and algae attacks. The biocides selected have strong affinity to cellulose and do not interfere with cement hydration reactions. This invention also discloses the formulation, the method of manufacturing and the final fiber cement products using the biocide treated fibers.

Abstract: A dry masonry render mixture comprising, in concentrations which can be varied to achieve different finishes, Portland cement, river sand, graded stones, plasterers lime, the ingredients being mixed in the presence of lightweight filaments and silica-based catalyst. The dry render masonry mixture is mixed with a liquid solution of water and a latex polymer of various concentrations to form a slurry. The invention includes several methods of application of varying concentrations of the slurry to obtain different textured finishes.

Abstract: A vegetable fiber cement moulded body of the present invention includes a nitrate as an additive agent. A method of manufacturing the same includes the steps of mixing raw materials including at least a vegetable fiber material, cement and water, moulding the mixed material, and curing this molded body, wherein a nitrate is added at the time of the aforementioned raw material mixing step or the aforementioned molding step. The molded body is preferably heated at the time of the curing step. According to the present invention, a vegetable fiber cement molded body of high strength which is not easily affected by substances that inhibit cement hardening and a method of manufacturing the same efficiently and at low cost are provided.

Abstract: The construction material comprises a construction base material and microcapsules inside of which liquid containing hinokitiol is incorporated and a plurality of which are to be mixed into the construction base material and the liquid in the microcapsules transudes into the construction base material because the microcapsules collapse due to at least change with time.

Abstract: A fast-setting, fibrous, Portland Cement-based building material is made by soaking wood chips in water to provide substantially saturated wood chips, combining the saturated wood chips with a slurry of Portland cement to provide a wood chip/cement slurry, mixing a slurry of monomagnesium phosphate (“MOP”) with the wood chip/cement slurry to provide a quick-setting MOP/wood chip/cement composition, and compressing the quick-setting MOP/wood chip/cement composition to make the fast-setting, fibrous, Portland Cement-based building material. The inventive composition combines the best properties of cement and wood, yet uses recycled materials to make an environmentally-friendly building material.

Abstract: The invention concerns buccodental formulation characterized in that it comprises at least a thickening agent comprising cellulose nanofibrils, said cellulose nanofibrils being substantially amorphous, having a crystallinity index not more than 50%. The invention also concerns said cellulose nanofibrils as thickening agent and/or flavour enhancer in buccodental formulations.

Abstract: The invention concerns compositions containing essentially amorphous cellulose nanofibrils, carboxyl cellulose with a degree of substitution not more than o.95 as additive, and optionally at least one co-additive, the content in additive and optional co-additive being less than 30 wt. % relative to the weight of nanofibrils and additive and optional co-additive. The invention also concerns a method for preparing such compositions, consisting in adding to a substantially amorphous nanofibril suspension, the additive and optionally the co-additive(s), then in drying the suspension thus additivated. The resulting compositions are easily redispersable and preserve all their rheological properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising essentially amorphous cellulose nanofibrils, at least one additive chosen from carboxycellulose with a degree of substitution of more than 0.95, a natural polysaccharide, a polyol, and optionally at least one co-additive, the content of additive and of optional co-additive being less than or equal to 30% by weight relative to the weight of nanofibrils and of additive and of optional co-additive. Similarly, a subject of the invention is a process for preparing such compositions, which consists in adding the additive and the optional co-additive to a suspension of essentially amorphous nanofibrils, and then in drying the suspension thus supplemented. The compositions obtained are redily redispersable and conserve their initial rheological properties.

Abstract: A process for solidifying and stabilizing waste, the process comprising (a) combining bagasse and a liquid medium having a pH below about 4 or above about 10 to form a mixture, (b) heating the mixture, (c) separating the mixture into solid matter and filtrate and washing the solid matter with a liquid in which sugar is soluble, (d) substituting the solid matter for the bagasse in (a) and repeating steps (a) through (c) until the filtrate is substantially colorless under ambient light conditions, thereby producing washed solid matter, (e) combining at least a portion of the washed solid matter with at least (1) the waste, (2) water, and (3) a cement, so as to form a cement slurry, and (f) curing the cement slurry. Cementitious products formed by processes of this invention.

Abstract: A composition for manufacturing logs for handling pallets or building elements. The composition utilizes small-size ligneous waste associated with cement, plaster of pairs, lime, silica and water, the quantities of these various components being as follows: ligneous waste: 3 to 15 parts in volume cement: 1 to 2 parts in volume plaster: 1 to 2 parts in volume lime: 1 to 2 parts in volume water: ½ to 5 parts in volume silica: 1 to 10% in volume of the total volume of the composition.

Abstract: An admixture for enhancing the durability of concrete to repeated freeze-thaw cycles is disclosed. The admixture comprises as an essential element a natural polymer material derived from millet. The admixture further comprises smaller quantities of naphthenic sulfate salt, triethanolamine and formaldehyde. In addition the admixture can improve concrete's impermeability and chloride ion binding capability.

Abstract: The cement composition of this invention includes 10 to 35% by weight of portland cement, 65 to 90% by weight of a synthetic pozzolan, and an activator for reducing the positive surface potential of the synthetic pozzolan. The synthetic pozzolan is obtained by an at least partial reduction from combustion residues having a SiO.sub.2 /CaO ratio of greater than 1:1 and containing Na.sub.2 O and K.sub.2 O as alkali oxides in an amount exceeding 1.5% by weight. The activator includes anionically active or anionic tensides.

Abstract: Pulp fibers derived from wood or non-wood plants or recycled paper products, which are 0.1-30 mm long and about 0.001-0.1 mm in equivalent diameter, are individualized by mechanical action, blended with at least one of the dry ingredients of the cement-based material and then mixed with the remaining ingredients of conventional cement-based mixtures using conventional mixing equipment for effectively improving fresh and hardened properties of cement-based materials. Dispersion is achieved by individualizing the plant pulp fibers by mechanical action, and further by blending the individualized fibers with at least one of the dry ingredients of the mix and then with the remaining ingredients of the cement-based material, with fibers added at relatively low dosages of about 0.3-30 kg per cubic meter. The affinity of plant pulp fibers for water facilitates their dispersion in conventional cement-based mixtures.

Abstract: A construction compound of the kind including a hydraulic binder such as cement and natural bast fibers of a length of between 1 and 50 mm in a concentration of from about 0.3 to about 3.0 kg of fibers per cubic meter of compound, said fibers being derived from fully ripened plants including hemp, flax, kenaf and nettle.

Abstract: Pulp fibers derived from wood or non-wood plants or recycled paper products are individualized and dispersed in water, and mixed into cement-based mixtures using conventional mixing procedures at relatively low dosages of about 0.3-30 kg of fiber per cubic meter of concrete. Once individualized, the affinity of plant pulp fibers for water facilitates their dispersion in normal cement-based mixtures. Fresh cement-based materials incorporating the dispersed individualized plant pulp fibers provide desirable workability, resistance to segregation and bleeding, pumpability, finishability, and reduced rebound when pneumatically applied. Hardened cement-based materials incorporating the dispersed individualized plant pulp fibers provide improvements in crack resistance, toughness, impact resistance, fatigue life, abrasion resistance, and other mechanical, physical and durability characteristics.

Abstract: A semifluid mix for environmental reclamation, comprising peat, a hydraulic binder, resins, seeds, lime, and manure, the mix being particularly adapted to restore a covering of vegetation on surfaces that have suffered environmental degradation, such as ski pistes, road slopes, landslide and quarry faces. The present invention furthermore relates to a method for preparing the mix and to a method for applying the semifluid mix on the surfaces that have suffered environmental degradation.

Abstract: Pulp fibers derived from wood or non-wood plants or recycled paper products, which are about 0.1-30 mm long and about 0.001-0.1 mm in diameter with length-to-diameter ratio of about 30-3000, are dispersed in conventional concrete mixtures using conventional mixing equipment for effectively improving fresh and hardened concrete properties at relatively low cost. Dispersion is achieved by individualizing the plant pulp fibers so that they are not fully bonded to each other, and dispersing the individual fibers in concrete at relatively low dosages of about 0.3-30 kg per cubic meter. Once individualized, the affinity of plant pulp fibers for water facilitates their dispersion in conventional concrete mixtures. Fresh concrete mixtures incorporating the dispersed individualized plant pulp fibers possess desirable workability, resistance to segregation and bleeding, pumpability, finishability, and reduced rebound when pneumatically applied.

Abstract: A lightweight cement block and a method of producing the lightweight cement block, comprising the steps of mixing three parts by volume sawdust with water to form a first mixture having a relative moisture content in the range of 40% to 44%; adding one part by volume sand to the first mixture to form a second mixture; mixing the second mixture with water until the relative moisture content of the second mixture is in the range of 40% to 44%; adding one part by volume cement to the second mixture to form a third mixture; mixing the third mixture with water until the relative moisture content is in the range of 40% to 44%; forming the third mixture into a block. The resultant block comprises sawdust in the range of 30% to 70% by volume, sand in the range of 10% to 40% by volume and cement in the range of 10% to 40% by volume.

Abstract: An organomineral construction paste comprises a mixture of a suspension of cellulose, lime and an aqueous solution of a sulfate and hydrogen peroxide. Airborne ash and hydraulic binders may also be added to impart additional moldable properties to the paste.

Abstract: A process for producing fibrous composite materials from feed stock formed reliminarily from a gypsum binder and chopped cellulose fibers, and saturating the mixture with water to the extent of at least 1.2 times its normal hydrated state, and beating the material to provide a fleece that is then spread on a flat surface and subjected to pressure for a sufficient length of time to drive out a substantial portion of the moisture from the product. The compression step is carried out long enough to achieve a bulk density of approximately 9/10 the dry bulk density of the components prior to hydration.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to cementitious compositions are provided. The use of a blend of a rosin and a tannin to entrain air into cementitious compositions is provided. A blend of a rosin and a tannin in a weight ratio of about 1:1.22 to about 1:1.86 are added to a wet cementitious composition at levels of less than 1% by weight based on the weight of the cement and air is mixed into the cement. The resulting cement will contain, e.g. 5% to 10% by volume air which improves the resistance of the set cement to freeze damage. Also provided is a method of entraining air into a cementitious composition which employs such a blend.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to cementitious compositions are provided. The use of a blend of a rosin and a tannin to entrain air into cementitious compositions is provided. A blend of a rosin and a tannin in a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:10 are added to a wet cementitious composition at levels of less than 1% by weight based on the weight of the cement and air is mixed into the cement. The resulting cement will contain, e.g. 5% to 10% by volume air which improves the resistance of the set cement to freeze damage. Also provided is a method of entraining air into a cementitious composition which employs such a blend.

Abstract: A slurry composed of paper fibers, water, and cement that can then be used for a variety of construction applications is prepared. After draining the majority of the water, the slurry may be molded into blocks, sheets, or any other desired shape to be used as a construction material, or it can be sprayed onto wire shapes to form custom structures. The slurry product can be used as a mortar in conjunction with building blocks that have been made from the slurry, and it can be used as a plaster when mixed with conventional cement and sand mortar. The slurry can also be poured into forms in the same manner as concrete to form blocks for construction applications.

Abstract: A cementitious composite of delignified cellulosic debris and Portland cement is produced from waste sludge from a paper recycling process and combining the resultant material in particle sizes ranging from 0.06 to 25 mm with Portland cement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to protect curing cement or concrete from excess evaporative water loss and/or from rain, excess heat loss, or excess heat gain. More particularly the method relates to coating curing cement or concrete with a layer (or layers) of a fibrous mass composed of ground cellulose, water, a viscosity enhancing polymer, a hygroscopic swelling agent and, optionally, additives selected on the basis of the properties desired (e.g., rain resistance, heat absorption from the sun, heat reflectance, or heat insulation). The invention also relates to compositions comprising a layer of cement or concrete and a layer (or layers) of such a fibrous mass.

Abstract: Paper or cellulose pieces forming a fiber raw material are wetted with water prior to comminution so that the comminution into fibers is effected with the moistened raw material. The moisture content of the fibers makes up at least part of the water of hydration required to completely set the binder which is mixed with the fibers. The binder can be plaster (gypsum) or hydraulic cement. The mixture is pressed to the desired shape and heat may be applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to protect curing cement or concrete from excess evaporative water loss and/or from rain, excess heat loss, or excess heat gain. More particularly the method relates to coating curing cement or concrete with a layer (or layers) of a fibrous mass composed of ground cellulose, water, a viscosity enhancing polymer, a hygroscopic swelling agent and, optionally, additives selected on the basis of the properties desired (e.g., rain resistance, heat absorption from the sun, heat reflectance, or heat insulation). The invention also relates to compositions comprising a layer of cement or concrete and a layer (or layers) of such a fibrous mass.

Abstract: A relatively simple, inexpensive building block for use in self-supporting walls includes a rectangular parallelepipedic body formed of a mixture of three parts by weight cement to two parts by weight wood fiber. Vertically extending grooves and in some cases cylindrical holes are provided in the blocks for defining vertical passages extending the height of the wall for receiving reinforcing rods and/or concrete for strengthening the wall.

Abstract: A cement composition for extrusion which is produced by incorporating, into cement mortar, 3 to 15 weight % of crushed pulp fiber, 0.2 to 1 weight % of at least one member selected from an alkylcellulose and a hydroxyalkylalkyllcellulose, and a 2% water solution having a viscosity of 80,000 cps or more allows for reduced production costs by reducing the loads of the binder material using a pulp fiber without carcinogenicitic asbestos fiber. Furthermore, it allows for excellent extrudability and provides the moldings with workability such as nailing and sawing.

Abstract: Durable molded construction parts are disclosed, which are prepared from hydration products of a settable construction material comprising a hydraulically hardening mixture and at least one reinforcing material subject to degradation under alkaline conditions. The construction material has an alkali buffer capacity which does not exceed 0.005 acid equivalents per 100 grams of construction material, as measured in an aqueous suspension of the construction material 24 hours after suspension formation.

Abstract: Composite materials based on cement or gypsum materials reinforced by mixing with cellulosic fibers grafted with silylating agents. Processes for preparing these reinforced composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cellulose fiber-reinforced structure useful for building and construction made from a composition including a water-curable, inorganic binder capable of setting to form a matrix and pulped softwood fibrous material having enhanced levels of summerwood fibers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a hardened mineral product, especially concrete. The method utilizes a hydration reaction with water for at least 1 hour, preferably for 4 to 40 hours, by producing a water/binding agent paste containing components for retardation of binding agent crystallization together with other possible admixtures, e.g., accelerators. When the binding agent reaches an appropriate degree of hydration, preferably 10 to 90%, the unset paste is complemented with fillers for producing the desired mineral mix, after which the end product is shaped as desired and hardened. The water/binding agent paste is agitaged in order to promote the hydration reaction, and when required, admixed with an additional amount of the retarding component of the binding agent crystallization. Furthermore, the invention includes an apparatus for hydrating the binding agent with a facility for subjecting the paste to compacting pressurization in order to improve hydration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural composition useful in corrosive hydrogen-fluorine environments at temperatures in excess of 1400.degree. K. The composition is formed of a isostatically pressed and sintered or a hot-pressed mixture of lanthanum hexaboride particles and about 10-30 vol. % carbon. The lanthanum-hexaboride reacts with the high-temperature fluorine-containing bases to form an adherent layer of corrosion-inhibiting lanthanum trifluoride on exposed surfaces of the composition. The carbon in the composite significantly strengthens the composite, enhances thermal shock resistance, and significantly facilitates the machining of the composition.

Abstract: A directionally solidified, optically conductive eutectic system and method of forming the same. A Type II eutectic which divides into fiber and matrix phases when directionally solidified consists of a fiber phase having a lesser molecular weight but higher refractive index than the matrix phase. The resulting fiber array is optically conductive, and may be used to advantage in applications such as CRT screens, waveguides, fiber optic image intensifiers, and lasers.

Abstract: A micro-crystalline material and method for making the same wherein a vitreous material known as magnesium aluminum silicate or cordierite glass is caused to undergo a high temperature solid state conversion to a crystalline material and wherein the crystallization is catalyzed by using a nucleating agent on the surface of the base material to trigger microscopic grain formation, the base material that is used being in the form of a fine frit or powder.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to the production of glass-ceramic articles from thermally crystallizable glass compositions containing, by weight, about 40-85% SiO.sub.2 and 2.5-17% N as basic constituents and utilizing such modifiers as the alkali metals, the elements of Groups IIA and IIB of the Periodic Table, boron, and aluminum to obtain practical glass-forming compositions. In general, at N contents greater than about 3.5%, the predominant crystal phase developed in situ will customarily comprise "nitrogen mullite", silicon oxynitride (Si.sub.2 ON.sub.2), and/or .beta.'-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 solid solution. The crystal phase which has been denominated in the literature as "nitrogen-mullite" has a lath-like morphology and, hence, is useful in reinforcing the crystalline body. Where the predominant crystal phase comprises a silicate, it is believed that nitrogen is present in some manner within the silicate crystal structure. The parent thermally crystallizable glasses appear to be self-nucleating, i.e.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor comprising an oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte which contains fluorine at least in the surface region on the side having contact with a gas to be tested. This oxygen sensor is characterized in that the change of the electromotive force at an O.sub.2 /CO molar ratio of about 0.5:1 is very large even if the temperature is as low as 350.degree. C.

Abstract: Spontaneous sodium fluoride opal glassware is treated to improve surface durability against aqueous attack by controlled sodium depletion and subsequent heat consolidation of the glass surface. The method comprises extracting surface sodium ions using water or dilute aqueous acidic solutions and subsequently consolidating by heat the surface to produce a glossy surface without any migration of sodium ions.

Abstract: A new and useful pigment is prepared by reacting an inorganic silicofluoride and an inorganic calcium compound selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate. The product is especially useful in protective coating compositions which are applied to metals in order to enhance adherence to and corrosion resistance of metals such as aluminum, zinc, magnesium, steel and alloys of said metals.

Abstract: A new and useful pigment is prepared by reacting an inorganic silicofluoride and an inorganic calcium compound selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate. The product is especially useful in protective coating compositions which are applied to metals in order to enhance adherence to and corrosion resistance of metals such as aluminum, zinc, magnesium, steel and alloys of said metals.

Abstract: A valuable composite material is produced by sintering together a first starting material A composed of at least one mineral component, preferably of the apatite group and a second starting material B composed of an inorganic multi-component system, such as a glass or a glass ceramic material which may contain at least one modifier. The modifier may be an agent causing under the sintering conditions foaming of the composite material, such as a carbonate, or it may be a radioactive agent. The first starting material may also contain an inorganic permutite serving as ion exchange agent. The composite material is useful as implant material in the animal and human body for replacing damaged bones or teeth, as a radioactive source, for instance, for exposing the body to radioactive irradiation, as an ion donor, for instance, for supplying the body with calcium, magnesium, and/or potassium ions, as a filter material for removing harmful agents from the body, and for other purposes.