Abstract: Water-soluble carbohydrate polymers are modified with crosslinked water-swellable organic polymers. The modified carbohydrate polymer compositions are useful as improved water retention aids for tile adhesive compositions, and as additives in spray plasters, wall finishing compounds, tape joint cements, wall paper adhesives, and the like.

Abstract: A settable molding composition comprising a mix of synthetic plaster with an extraneous water source, including a "wet" synthetic gypsum or a mixture of same and free water, is readily pressure compacted or molded into a plurality of useful shaped articles, e.g., strong, modular building materials. The plaster can comprise from about 30% to about 99% by weight of the mix and has a Blaine surface area ranging between 2,500 and 7,000 cm.sup.2 /g, with the amount of water in the mix from the water source being in excess of that amount stoichiometrically required for ultimate complete setting of the mix, said excess of water being in an amount no greater than 15% of the total weight of said mix. The resulting shaped articles are effectively set, even in the absence of any drying step.

Abstract: Asbestos-free, fiber-reinforced, hydraulically setting compositions can be processed to fiber-reinforced shaped articles. The compositions are obtained by mixing fibers, hydraulic binders and water-soluble or water-emulsifiable polymers and by adding a metallic compound, particularly a metal salt or hydroxide. The composition can be processed in the equipment conventionally used in the asbestos cement industry.

Abstract: Air entrained, super plasticized concrete having a maximum bubble spacing factor of 0.008 inch (ASTM Standard C 457) and a method for preparing such concrete are disclosed. The method includes the steps of adding an air entraining agent while mixing aggregates and water, adding during the mixing a small but effective quantity of a potassium salt of a fluorinated alkyl carboxylate having a high surface activity and a pH of 8-9, and then adding a super plasticizer to the resulting mix prior to placement. The air entrained concrete having the aforesaid bubble spacing factor contains a super plasticizer, a vinsol resin air entraining agent, and a potassium salt of a fluorinated alkyl carboxylate. The fluorinated alkyl carboxylate is present in an amount of one to two parts per 100 parts of the super plasticizer on a weight basis.