Abstract: Improved set retarded cement compositions for cementing subterranean zones in wells at low temperatures having excellent short term compressive strength development and methods of using such compositions are provided. The compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, water and a copolymer containing 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid in an amount in the range of from about 65 to about 85 mole percent and acrylic acid in an amount in the range of from about 15 to about 35 mole percent having an average molecular weight below about 5000.

Abstract: A suspension-type grouting liquid for injection into a ground having excellent penetration properties, e.g. low viscosity and long gelation time, and having comparatively high strength after consolidation. The suspension-type grouting liquid for injection into a ground consists essentially of slag, or a combination of slag and cement, alkali metal aluminates, and water. The slag is a fine grain having specific surface area of 5000 cm.sup.2 /g or more, and the alkali metal aluminates have a mole ratio of ({Me.sub.2 O}/{Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 }) of 2.8 or more, in which Me means alkali metal, {Me.sub.2 } and {Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 } represent, respectively, molar concentration of Me.sub.2, and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A backfill for an engineered barrier used to contain radioactive waste has a predetermined amount of clayic material and a predetermined amount of a reinforcement material with hydrophobic surface characteristics. The reinforcement material may include hydrophobic compounds selected from group consisting of organic polymers or inorganic materials on which a layer of hydrophobic compounds is formed. The hydrophobic reinforcement material results in the backfill maintaining a very low water permeability while providing high mechanical strength and other properties suitable for use in a repository of radioactive waste.

Abstract: A chipseal overlay coating having in situ deicing properties. An absorbent material such as lightweight aggregate, is mixed with oil, asphalt and/or concrete to form a thoroughfare chipseal overlay. Deicing materials are applied to the overlay or to the absorbent material prior to the mixing process. Due to the highly absorbent nature of the chipseal overlay, the deicing material is absorbed. During icing and snow conditions, the impregnated material reacts with the ice and snow to cause them to melt.

Abstract: A mortar composition based on aluminous cement which provides an attractive ceramic tile-like surface gloss and other desirable properties including superb hardness, reduced water absorption, high strength, high acid resistance, and good heat and weather resistance, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a molded article of manufacture which comprises the mortar composition, as well as fiber-reinforced mortar compositions and molded articles of manufacture made therefrom.

Abstract: Flowable, pressure-compensating material compositions are provided. The compositions are directed toward improving one or more aspects of the flowable material, such as by providing/improving flame retardancy and/or the homogeneity of the composition over time. For instance, one composition includes a liquid, a viscosity-increasing material, and beads having a preselected coating thereon to provide for a coupling interaction with at least one of the liquid and the viscosity-increasing material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composition which is useful for forming construction blocks and encapsulating hazardous materials, a process for producing blocks and encapsulating the material, and blocks made of the material. This composition is a mixture of pozzoulanic fly ash and bottom ash. The weight ratio of fly ash:bottom ash is preferably in the range 80:20% by weight to 20:80% by weight. The process comprises the steps of (a) blending a dry mixture comprising the ash mixture with water; (b) transferring the blended mixture into a compression zone and (c) compressing the blended mixture in the compression zone to form a brick of the desired size.

Abstract: Abstract A method for stabilizing the upper layers of the earth's surface is claimed that comprises the steps of: mixing an amount of lime with an amount of water, simultaneously or sequentially mixing an amount of fly ash with the lime/water mix to form a slurry, distributing said slurry onto the earth's surface and working said slurry into the upper layers of the earth's surface.

Abstract: Lightweight concrete roof tiles are produced by extruding a latex/cement/lightweight aggregates/water mix in a prescribed sequence. The composition comprises:(a) 45-65 parts by weight of an acrylic latex emulsion;(b) 130-180 parts by weight of a cement;(c) 360-400 parts by weight of expanded shale lightweight aggregates; and(d) 50-75 parts by weight of additional water.This lightweight concrete roof tile of the present invention is about half the weight and about the same strength, and absorbs the same amount of water of conventional roof tiles.

Abstract: A grouting composition comprised of (a) 84-95 % by weight of granular water-swellable sodium-based bentonite, (b) 1-8 % by weight of finely divided salt-water hydratable sepiolite, and (c) 4-8% by weight of a clay stabilizer. The grout composition which contains no organic polymeric substances is mixed with fresh water to provide a pumpable, rehydratable, and easily applied grouting slurry. The slurry admixture will form a solid seal with low hydraulic conductivity and high structural stability. The grouting composition is useful for sealing the annular space around a well casing and plugging abandoned wells in practically all types of formations. A preferred grouting compostion comprises 88-90% by weight of granular sodium bentonite, 6-7% by weight of sepiolite, and 4-5% by weight of granular ammonium sulfate.

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 thin protective coating for foam surfaced objects achieving high compression and impact strengths without the need of water curing.

Abstract: A fire resistant and high temperature insulating composition is provided. The composition generally comprises a carbonate material in an amount from about 20% to about 80% by weight, an aluminosilicate in amount from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight, talc in amount from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, cellulose in amount from about 1% to about 30% by weight, a binder in an amount from about 1% to about 45% by weight, and a gelling agent in an amount from about 1% to about 45% by weight. The binder is preferably a mixture of an organic adhesive such as a polymeric resin, and a non-organic adhesive such as cement, but other adhesives can be used alone or in combination therewith. The gelling agent is preferably a polymeric substance that swells in the presence of a liquid such as superabsorbent polymers. The components are combined and water may be added in an amount from about 1 to about 50% by weight to obtain a composition of the desired consistency.

Abstract: The present inventions relates to a method for the controlled hardening of cid-setting cements and binders by first providing an acid-setting binder within a selected mold. Mixing with the binder an electrolyte to form a paste or slurry within the mold. Subjecting the paste or slurry mixture to electrolysis for a selected period of time or until the binder is sufficiently hardened whereby a hardened article is produced. Finally, removing the produced article from the mold.

Abstract: A waste material which contains chromium and/or lead impurities is treated by mixing the waste material with diatomaceous earth and/or sodium borate and then heating the mixture in a free oxygen containing gas at about 500.degree.-1500.degree. C., preferably in the presence of steam.

Abstract: A composition for forming a hard material having good high temperature insulation, reflection and diffusion properties, comprising a mixture of crushed pumice, calcium aluminate cement and glass fibers, which forms the hard material upon the addition of water and after allowing the mixture to cure.

Abstract: A method of treating lead contaminated soil to reduce the amount of mobile lead contained in the soil, the method which comprises: (a) providing an agent selected from the group consisting of inorganic phosphate compounds, inorganic phosphite compounds and mixtures thereof; and (b) contacting the agent with the soil to react the agent with the lead and form immobilized, acid-insoluble lead compounds, thereby reducing the amount of mobile lead in the soil.

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: A low brightness pigment and method is provided from a heretofore rejected waste kaolin stream. Kaolin processing rejects are high in iron-stained TiO.sub.2. After separating the stained TiO.sub.2 from the high brightness kaolin and concentrating the resulting fraction, the material can be processed to produce a low brightness pigment suitable of many applications where lower brightness is desirable, such as coating paper board without mottling.

Abstract: There is disclosed a softy mud solidifying agent which comprises cement, and at least two members selected from the group consisting of pozzolanic substances, inorganic compounds and organic compounds. The solidifying agent is capable of solidifying dredged earth, sand, softy mud, etc. in such a manner that their mixture can be re-cast into water to form submerged banks, artificial fish-gathering places, etc., without causing water pollution.

Abstract: An admixture for cement compositions is prepared by calcining at 630.degree. to 870.degree. C. at least one substance selected from the group consisting of natural kaolin, halloysite and synthetic kaolin, effecting classification so that amorphous portions of alumina/silica having a mixing ratio of 0.5 to 1.3 form main components, with all particles having diameters up to 8 .mu.m and an average diameter of 0.5 to 2 .mu.m, and a specific gravity ranging from 2.45 to 2.55. This admixture is used to produce a cement composition such as mortar or concrete, which realizes excellent fluidity to promote workability, and a high strength structure.

Abstract: A process for the production of concrete roofing products of reduced weight loading having a thickness in section of not greater than 15 mm. The process involves forming an asbestos-free cementitious composition comprising (i) lightweight aggregate, (ii) hydraulic cement, (iii) water and (iv) reinforcing fibers in an amount of not more than 4% by weight of the total weight of the composition but the fibers being present in an amount sufficient to provide a reinforcing effect and impact strength in the roofing product, the cementitious composition being capable of being shaped by a roller and slipper method, and thereafter shaping the cementitious composition by the method to provide a shaped extrudate, dividing the extrudate to form sections and curing the sections to provide roofing products, wherein the reinforcing fibers have lengths of 0.5 mm to 20 mm. The impact resistant roofing products are useful as roofing tiles, or a replacement for shingles, shakes and slates.

Abstract: Impermeabilization and/or consolidation product for soils and building materials, usable by injection, characterized by the fact that it is obtained by mixture of a compound of slag in suspension in water and of a silica liquor having a ratio of SiO.sub.2 Na.sub.2 O lower than 2 and a silica content greater than about 10% by weight.

Abstract: Fire retardant coatings for metal structural members are obtained by spraying onto the structural members settable plaster compositions which are air-containing pumpable aqueous slurries of plaster, clay prill aggregate, cellulose and glass fiber reinforcement and foaming agent. The specially prepared clay prill aggregate has a low aspect ratio of near unity and is an acceptable substitute for the exfoliated vermiculite aggregate of prior coating compositions.

Abstract: A grouting composition for sealing a borehole or other cavity comprising 90-99.9% finely divided water swellable clay and 0.1-10% thinner. The grouting composition is mixed with fresh water to provide a completely reswellable, unflocculated, easily placed, low permeability sealing composition. The thinner allows a very high concentration of water-swellable clay in the composition. A preferred grouting composition comprises 98-99.9% sodium bentonite and 0.1-2% polyacrylate thinner. In use, 50 lb. of the preferred grouting composition is mixed with 11-14 gallons fresh water, to provide a grouting mixture which comprises about 30-35% reswellable solids.

Abstract: A refractory composition is disclosed which possesses low porosity, high density, exceptional strength and high abrasion resistance and is useful for lining fluid catalytic converter units, e.g., catalyst transfer lines, riser lines, J-bends, cyclones and all other areas where hot abrasion resistance and low thermal conductivity are desired. The composition consists essentially of by weight: (a) 44 to 89% of an abrasion-resistant refractory grain; (b) 10 to 50% of a hydraulically setting cement; (c) 1 to 6% of a filler consisting of very fine, substantially spherical particles of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, clay minerals, carbon and fume SiO.sub.2 ; and (d) 0.01 to 1%, based on the total weight of the constituents (a), (b) and (c), of additives selected from deflocculants and wetting agents.

Abstract: A particulate solid activator comprising a porous material containing absorbed ammonium phosphate can be prepared by a process which comprises: heating a slurry of the porous material and an ammonium phosphate solution; and then spray drying the slurry to obtain the particulate solid activator. The porous material can be diatomaceous earth. The resulting particulate solid activator can be dry blended with a magnesium-containing compound, e.g. MgO, and an optional aggregate to form a magnesium phosphate fast-setting cement mixture. This mixture reacts in the presence of an aqueous component at ambient temperature to form a monolithic solid.