Abstract: The present invention relates to a segregation reducing agent consisting of curdlan and alkaline materials and a hydraulic composition containing the segragation reducing agent, particularly, the present invention relates to the segregation reducing agent prepared by alkalifying a curdlan-producing fermentation broth per se or a curdlan powder with an alkaline material, and also relates to hydraulic compositions, concrete and mortar, comprising the segregation educing agent. This segregation reducing agent can provide a great segregation reduction effect for hydraulic compositions even at its small amount as well as guarantee the strength, filling ability and fluidity.

Abstract: A manufactured granular substrate composition suitable for use as a carrier for active chemical agents. The composition includes one or more mineral components having a bulk density greater than about 70 pounds per cubic foot. The composition also contains about one or more light weight additives and one or more water soluble binders. The resulting manufactured granular substrate has a bulk density of less than about 55 pounds per cubic foot with a size guide number of about 75 to about 300.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating composition for print media. The present invention is further directed to improved printed substrates having the coating composition thereon and methods of making the improved print substrates. The improved print substrates substantially enhance the brightness and brilliance of colorants applied to the coating composition, especially compared to colorants applied to conventional coated or uncoated print media.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concrete composition that comprises water, a cementitious material, and an aggregate material, the aggregate material comprising a granular starch. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, the granular starch is a washed, pre-swollen starch, and is added to the composition in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 20% by weight of the cementitious material. The starch granules are swollen in the uncured composition but liberate water and shrink to their unswollen size as the concrete cures, thus providing a cured lightweight concrete. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a concrete composition. The disclosed method comprises providing starch granules, mixing the starch granules with water and a cementitious material to form an uncured concrete composition, and subsequently curing the uncured concrete composition thus formed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a stable hydrocolloid composition in which preferably welan gum is uniformly dispersed in a superplasticizer solution such as sulfonated naphthalene, sulfonated melamine, modified lignosulfate, their derivatives and mixtures thereof. The solution is wet milled to form an extremely fine particle size distribution of the gum. The composition is rapidly hydratable and useful as a stabilizing additive in many cement and drilling fluid applications.

Abstract: A novel admixture for mineral binders is composed of a polyol composition with a high hydrogenated disaccharide content (≧40%). The hydrogenated disaccharide is advantageously chosen from maltitol, lactitol and mixtures thereof. Within the admixture, the polyol composition (for example, maltitol powder, a maltitol syrup or a hydrogenated starch hydrolysate) may be combined with conventional admixtures for mineral binders, particularly lignosulfonates. The hydrogenated disaccharides make it possible to obtain an excellent compromise between retardation, plasticity and the mechanical properties of the mineral binder. They may be used equally well for admixing with cements and raw materials for cements as for admixing with mortars, slurries and concretes.

Abstract: Biodegradable dispersing and fluid loss control additives for well cements, well cement compositions including the additives and methods of using the well cement compositions are provided. The well cement compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, water in an amount sufficient to form a slurry and a dispersing and fluid loss control additive comprised of casein. A second agent which also provides fluid loss control can optionally be included in the additive.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a microbial polysaccharide having the features characteristic of S-657 has been found to be effective to improve the rheological properties of a variety of cementitious systems. Thus, the addition of a small, but effective amount of S-657 to such cementitious systems as portland cement, self-leveling grouts, fresh or saltwater oil well cement slurries, microfine cements, and the like, gives rise to substantial improvements in such properties as bleed, flow resistance, fluid loss control, and the like. S-657 addition provides enhanced rheological control in a variety of cementitious systems. In addition, S-657 provides a number of advantages relative to prior art systems, including improved free water and sedimentation control, as well as reduced fines loss during underwater placement.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a stable hydrocolloid composition in which preferably welan gum is uniformly dispersed in a superplasticizer solution such as sulfonated naphthalene, sulfonated melamine, modified lignosulfate, their derivatives and solution thereof. The mixture is wet milled to form an extremely fine particle size, from about 3 microns to about 500 microns distribution of the gum. The composition is rapidly hydratable and useful as a stabilizing additive in many cement and drilling fluid applications.

Abstract: A polysaccharide derivative prepared by replacing all or part of the hydroxyl hydrogen atoms of a polysaccharide or polysaccharide derivative by (A) a hydrophobic substituent having a C.sub.8 -C.sub.43 hydrocarbon chain as the partial structure and (B) an ionic hydrophilic substituent having at least one member selected from the group consisting of sulfonic, carboxyl phosphoric, and sulfate groups and salts thereof as the partial structure, wherein the average degree of replacement by the substituent (A) is 0.0001 or above but below 0.001 per constituent monosaccharide residue as determined by Zeisel's method or the diazomethane method and that by the substituent (B) is 0.01 to 2.0 per constituent monosaccharide residue as determined by colloidal titration. This polysaccharide derivative is useful as the admixture for hydraulic materials and can give stable hydraulic compositions excellent in dispersion.

Abstract: A liquid art medium for creating three dimensional art comprises sodium bicarbonate, starch, acrylic polymer emulsion, water, and calcium carbonate. The liquid art medium can be applied to a variety of surfaces for various art projects. Once applied, the medium can be manipulated while still wet and different colors of the medium can be used together without the colors running into each other or bleeding. When dry, the medium can be colored, etched, carved, or sanded to make further artistic effects.

Abstract: Injection medium in the form of a dry mixture for preparing an injection suspension for sealing and/or reducing the penetrability of soils (loose rocks) and/or stone and/or structures against penetration by fluids, especially by water and gases, containing at least one mineral binder, especially a superfine binder, at least one stabilizer, at least one solvent and optionally other customary additives, such as at least one setting accelerator, an injection adjuvant and a water-retention agent, while the stabilizer is at least one organic thickener and the mixture additionally includes at least one essentially inert, superfine filler.

Abstract: A composition for and a method of promoting the flow of a concrete slurry through a pump and a conduit is provided. The composition is a dry particulate mixture comprised of a water soluble, inorganic material and a solvatable, organic polymer. The composition, when mixed with a suitable quantity of water, is useful in a method of priming a pump used to pump a concrete slurry. The composition, when mixed with a concrete slurry, is useful to improve the flow of the slurry through a conduit.

Abstract: An aqueous composition for coloring cement based compositions comprising water, pigment, a suspension enhancing agent and latex polymer solids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new plaster, coating or adhesive composition based on plaster, containing an amylaceous compound. The amylaceous compound used according to the invention consists of a cationic amylaceous compound having, characteristically, a fixed nitrogen content at least equal to about 0.15% and a solubility in water at least equal to about 50%.

Abstract: A raised liquid art medium comprises baking soda, corn starch, water, gesso, and chalk. The medium can be applied to a variety of surfaces for various art projects. Once applied, the medium can be manipulated while still wet and different colors of the medium can be used together without the colors running into each other or bleeding. When dry, the medium can be colored, etched, carved, or sanded to make further artistic effects.

Abstract: An admixture for decreasing the water demand of cementitious compositions such as concrete consists of(a) from 75-25% by weight of a water-reducing agent whose major component is a polycarboxylate; and(b) from 25-75% by weight of at least one saccharide component selected from hydrogenated saccharides and polyhydric alcohol adducts of saccharides.The saccaride component is preferably a hydrogenated polysaccharide with a molecular weight distribution as follows:(i) 70-30% by weight (on total weight of hydrogenated saccharides) have molecular weights in the range 180-300;(ii) 30-70% by weight have molecular weights of from 300 up to 4,000; and(iii) 30% by weight maximum have molecular weights of 4,000 and over.

Abstract: A way of using fly ash and water to make a road base material is disclosed. Class C fly ash, which sets up very quickly, is mixed with a hydrating liquid and compacted prior to initial set. To facilitate mixing, transportation and placement of the wet mixture, a set sequestering additive may be added to the water before mixing the water and the fly ash. Also disclosed is a mixing device designed to be attached to the underside of a tanker trailer of the type used to transport dry fly ash. The mixer introduces water to the inside and outside areas of a falling tubular stream of fly ash.

Abstract: A cement pumpability-enhancing additive which comprises polyethylene glycol and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether and/or a derivative thereof, and optionally polysaccharide. The additive is especially useful for high-strength, high-flow concretes for use in construction.

Abstract: A composition for and a method of promoting the flow of a concrete slurry through a pump and a conduit is provided. The composition is a dry particulate mixture comprised of a water soluble, inorganic material and a solvatable, organic polymer. The composition, when mixed with a suitable quantity of water, is useful in a method of priming a pump used to pump a concrete slurry. The composition, when mixed with a concrete slurry, is useful to improve the flow of the slurry through a conduit.

Abstract: A process for modifying the slump of a concrete or mortar by the addition at different times of a water-soluble poly(alkylene oxide) and a .beta.-naphthalene sulphonate-formaldehyde condensate, a plasticizer or superplasticizer which is selected from lignosulphonates, melamine sulphonate formaldehyde condensates, carboxylates and selected styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers. The poly(alkylene oxide) is preferably partially replaced by a (hydroxy)alkyl cellulose. The process is advantageously used in shotcreting.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to concrete compositions prepared using firm aqueous gels (aquagels) as all or part of the aggregate in a concrete mix. The concrete sets around the aquagels in the initial set stage. Because the aquagels maintain the pore structure of the concrete while it sets, a concrete product can be obtained that has substantially uniform density regardless of depth. During the curing and/or drying stages, the moisture migrates out of the concrete and the aquagels, and the aquagels dry to a fraction of the size of the original aquagel in the cell or pore in the concrete. This results in cellular, lightweight concrete having reduced density, reduced weight, reduced thermal conductivity, and reduced sound transmission compared to concrete prepared without using aquagels.

Abstract: A composition for and a method of promoting the flow of a concrete slurry through a pump and a conduit is provided. The composition is a dry particulate mixture comprised of a water soluble, inorganic material and a solvatable, organic polymer. The composition, when mixed with a suitable quantity of water, is useful in a method of priming a pump used to pump a concrete slurry. The composition, when mixed with a concrete slurry, is useful to improve the flow of the slurry through a conduit.

Abstract: A water retention aid for use in cementitious and adhesive compositions is prepared as a blend of a polysaccharide, preferably high viscosity, such as cellulose, and an unmodified, cold-water-soluble starch. The water retention aid is used in the cementitious or adhesive composition at a preferred level of 0.25-0.5 parts per 100 parts of the dry cementitious or adhesive composition.

Abstract: An additive for cementitious compositions comprises at least one sulfated polysaccharide obtained by the sulfation of a polysaccharide, preferably under moderate conditions. The additive enhances the fluidity and workability of cementitious mixes, and gives higher final compressive strength.

Abstract: A cement admixture composed of a low molecular weight oxyalkylene compound and a comb polymer having carboxylic acid groups and oxyalkylene units therein.

Abstract: Reinforced concrete members consisting of a high-strength concrete are subject to explosive spalling. Such spalling can be prevented by the introduction of a capillary system into the concrete of such members, containing substantially linear capillaries having a diameter of at least 3 .mu.m and a length of at least 5 mm.

Abstract: A composition for and a method of promoting the flow of a concrete slurry through a pump and a conduit is provided. The composition is a dry particulate mixture comprised of a water soluble, inorganic material and a solvatable, organic polymer. The composition, when mixed with a suitable quantity of water, is useful in a method of priming a pump used to pump a concrete slurry. The composition, when mixed with a concrete slurry, is useful to improve the flow of the slurry through a conduit.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to cementitious compositions are provided. The use of a glucoheptonate in the alpha form to prolong the workability of cementitious compositions is provided. The alpha form of glucoheptonate (found to have properties superior to the beta form when used to retard the hydration of cementitious compositions) can be used in combination with a plasticizing resin, e.g. a naphthalenesulfonate/formaldehyde condensate resin, to prolong the workability of a cementitious composition, without unacceptably delaying green strength development. Also provided are mixtures of a glucoheptonate in the alpha form and a naphthalenesulfonate/formaldehyde condensate resin plasticizer.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming leftover ready-mix concrete comprising the steps of:(1) retarding the hydration of the unused portion of concrete returned from a job site; and(2) after the desired retarded period adding a hydration acceleration agent to restore the concrete to a settable state.

Abstract: N-phosphonomethyl iminodiacetic acid may be used as an additive to retard the setting time of Portland cement.

Abstract: A segregation reducing agent for a hydraulic composition which is obtained by adding a water-soluble thickener to a culture of a microorganism capable of producing a .beta.-1,3-glucan selected from the group consisting of curdlan, palamylon and pachyman, in a sufficient amount to give a viscosity to the culture of from about 200 to 2000 cp, followed by spray drying so as to form a powder having a core of the .beta.-1,3-glucan and a coating of the water-soluble thickener.

Abstract: A novel cement-based composition comprising a cement powder, a polymeric latex composition, and a water-soluble polysaccharide compound is disclosed. This composition is useful in adhering ceramic and vitreous tiles to plywood substrates. The composition can also be formulated to be an underlayment for preparing a substrate for flooring including carpet, tiles, wood flooring, etc.

Abstract: A method for applying a cementitious composition to a surface comprising1) adding to the cementitious compositiona) a set retarding agent;b) a cement quick-setting agent;c) a cement dispersing agent;d) a slow release dispersing agent, that hydrolyzes under alkaline conditions to form a dispersing agent; and2) applying the concrete to a surface while the concrete is fluid.

Abstract: Improved set retarded cement compositions and methods of using such compositions which are substantially non-thinning at high temperatures and which can include fresh or salt water are provided. The compositions are comprised of hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, a set retarder and a delayed viscosifying agent which yields viscosity at high temperatures comprised of a treated depolymerized galactomannan gum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of retarding the set of residual concrete in a concrete holding vessel comprising uniformly directing an aqueous solution containing an effective amount of a set retarding agent against the residual concrete on the inner surface of said concrete holding vessel with sufficient pressure to retard concrete set with less than about 3 gallons of aqueous solution per every 10 lbs. of residual concrete. The present invention also relates to an apparatus which utilizes a minimal amount of wash water.

Abstract: The invention is a cement, water containing composition containing an organic polyglycoside. The composition has at least one of an increased air entraining capacity, a reduced viscosity and a retarded setting time.

Abstract: Method and compositions for the stabilization (prevention of hardening) of concrete residues in Ready-Mix truck drums.

Abstract: A method of reducing the surface voids and imperfections of molded cement structures by forming the cement composition with an admixture comprising a combination of Welan Gum and a water reducing agent.

Abstract: An additive for roller compacted concrete pavement which controls the heat of hydration, prevents the reduction of packing of the pavement and prevents thermal cracking of the dried end product. The additive is a hydrolyzable tannin compound used alone or in conjunction with a surface active agent.

Abstract: A hydraulic inorganic compositions which comprises a hydraulic inorganic powder at least one of polysaccharides selected from the group consisting of .beta.-1,3-glucans, pullulan and XCD-Polymer in an amount of 0.1-10 parts by weight in relation to 100 parts by weight of the hydraulic inorganic powder, and water in an effective amount.The composition preferably further contains a reinforcing fiber, a filler, in particular mountain leather, a coagulant and/or a second molding aid, in particular, methyl cellulose.The composition is hardened by hydration under normal pressure to provide a hardened molded article such as a cement board.

Abstract: Oil field cement liquid fluid loss control additives and methods of field preparing such additives prior to preparing a cement composition containing the additive are provided. The method of field preparing the liquid fluid loss control additive comprises admixing an organophilic clay suspending agent with a liquid hydrocarbon, combining a surfactant with the mixture and then combining at least one hydrophilic polymer with the mixture to form the additive.

Abstract: An admixture for ultra-dry-mix concrete is disclosed containing one or more varieties of cement dispersing agents (A) selected from a group consisting of lignosulfonates, oxycarboxylates and polycarboxylates, and in addition, containing one or more varieties of nonionic surface-active agents (B) selected from a group consisting of polyoxyalkylene alkylaryl and alkyl ethers with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB-value) of 8 to 17.

Abstract: An aqueous fluid for treating underground, carbon dioxide-containing formations penetrated by casing regions of a wellbore, prior to the cementing of casings into the wellbore, comprises: (i) water, (ii) an agent which substantially increases (preferably by at least about 50 percent) the solubility of lime in water, and (iii) lime in an amount at least about saturating the water in the fluid. The lime in the treatment fluid reacts with carbon dioxide in penetrated formations to produce insoluble calcium carbonate, which blocks pores in the formations. Insoluble calcium hydroxide, formed by reaction of the lime with the water in the treatment fluid, deposits as an insoluble filter cake on the walls of the borehole where the fluid penetrates formations. The calcium hydroxide filter cake may react with the carbon dioxide to form additional calcium carbonate which helps the filter cake form a tight, impermeable barrier at the borehole.

Abstract: Cement compositions, i.e., mortar, structured concrete, pre-cast concrete, and oilfield cement, comprising 0.01-0.9% (wt/wt) welan gum are described.

Abstract: Set retarded cement compositions which are substantially non-thinning at high temperatures are provided. The compositions are comprised of hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, a set retarder and a galactomannan gum which has been treated with a hydrophobing agent whereby the hydration rate of the gum is retarded at temperatures below about 120.degree. F. and at pH levels above about 10. The delayed hydration of the treated gum offsets the thinning of the cement compositions at temperatures above about 120.degree. F. Methods of cementing subterranean zones penetrated by well bores utilizing the cement compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming leftover ready-mix concrete comprising the steps of:(1) retarding the hydration of the unused portion of concrete returned from a job site; and(2) after the desired retarded period adding a hydration acceleration agent to restore the concrete to a settable state.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for manufacturing water reducing plasticizing and hardening-retarding plasticizing additives for concrete, using sugarcane derivatives that modify the structural characterisitics of the concrete, resulting in improved plasticity and density and altering of the curing time.