A macro-cement and associated methods useful for preparing pastes, mortars, concretes and other cement-based materials having high workability, high density, and high strength are disclosed. A method of producing a macro-cement includes cement, supplemental cementitious materials (SCM's), including siliceous submicron-sized particles and nano-sized particles, and polymers in the form of liquid or dry chemical admixtures for concrete. The cement mixture may be used for making ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC).

The present invention relates to an improved cordierite glass-ceramic. In order to improve the materials properties, it is proposed that the glass-ceramic comprising SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, MgO and Li.sub.2O contains cordierite as main crystal phase and that a secondary crystal phase of the glass-ceramic comprises high-quartz solid solution and/or keatite solid solution. The invention further relates to a process for producing such a glass-ceramic and the use of such a glass-ceramic.

The present invention provides cementitious tile adhesives comprising ordinary Portland cement, sand or another inorganic filler, and from 0.12 to 0.6 wt. % of total solids of one or more polyether group containing crosslinked cellulose ethers. The present invention also provides methods of making the polyether group containing crosslinked cellulose ethers comprising crosslinking a cellulose ether at 90 C. or less, in an inert atmosphere, e.g. nitrogen, in the presence of a polyether group containing crosslinking agent and in the presence of alkali; the process may comprise part of a stepwise addition process of making of a cellulose ether itself in which the crosslinking of the cellulose ethers precedes at least one addition of alkyl halide or alkylene oxide to form, respectively, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups on the cellulose.

The present invention provides cementitious tile adhesives comprising ordinary Portland cement, sand or another inorganic filler, and from 0.12 to 0.6 wt. % of total solids of one or more polyether group containing crosslinked cellulose ethers. The present invention also provides methods of making the polyether group containing crosslinked cellulose ethers comprising crosslinking a cellulose ether at 90 C. or less, in an inert atmosphere, e.g. nitrogen, in the presence of a polyether group containing crosslinking agent and in the presence of alkali; the process may comprise part of a stepwise addition process of making of a cellulose ether itself in which the crosslinking of the cellulose ethers precedes at least one addition of alkyl halide or alkylene oxide to form, respectively, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups on the cellulose.

The present invention relates to an improved cordierite glass-ceramic. In order to improve the materials properties, it is proposed that the glass-ceramic comprising SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, MgO and Li.sub.2O contains cordierite as main crystal phase and that a secondary crystal phase of the glass-ceramic comprises high-quartz solid solution and/or keatite solid solution. The invention further relates to a process for producing such a glass-ceramic and the use of such a glass-ceramic.

A composite material used to form a concrete structure that includes a concrete matrix formed of a mixture of aggregates and a paste and a mixture of twisted steel micro-reinforcements (TSMRs) dispersed within the concrete matrix. The TSMRs have a variable twist pitch; wherein the twist pitch of a portion of the TSMRs is in the range of 6 to 20 twists per 25.4 mm (1 inch) applied along its longitudinal axis. The TSMRs are made from a common base stock and have the number of twists predetermined, such that the concrete structure exhibits at least 10% greater performance in one or more of a stress, deflection, energy, or crack mouth opening (CMOD) properties as determined through one or more defined standard tests than a similar concrete structure formed with the same amount by weight of steel fibers having one or two bends.

A method for the preparation of a composite article containing aerogel particles and ceramic fibers, as well as to a composite article obtained by this method, are described.

A method for the preparation of a composite article containing aerogel particles, graphite and ceramic and/or glass fibers, as well as to a composite article obtained by this method, are described.

A method for the preparation of a composite article containing aerogel particles and ceramic fibers, as well as to a composite article obtained by this method, are described.

An apparatus for determining durability of a wallboard joint compound composition includes an adhesion release testing machine including a machine base, a vertical mast connected to the base, a load cell connected to the mast, a sled movable on the machine base between a first position and a second position, a display associated with the machine base and connected to the load cell for displaying numerical values of loads applied to the load cell. A probe plate includes a lower surface with a depending probe; an anchor base disposed on an upper surface of the probe plate; and a chain connecting the probe plate to the load cell. A set sample strip of wallboard joint compound composition is secured to an upper surface of the sled and arranged for engagement by the probe as the sled moves on the machine based between the first position and the second position.