A reflective particulate material includes a particulate substrate having high total solar reflectance, bulk and apparent densities and toughness, and a low dust index. The reflective particulate can have a total solar reflectance of 80% to 87%, a toughness of 1% or fewer fines, an apparent density of 2.75 g/cm.sup.3 or greater, and a dust index of 1 or lower. A method of manufacturing the reflective particulate material includes preparing a slurry of the particulate substrate, spray drying the slurry to form a spray dried particulate, crushing the spray dried particulate to form a crushed particulate, and heating/calcining the crushed particulate. The heated, crushed particulate may further be coated to form a coated roofing granule.

A latex emulsion that includes an aqueous carrier liquid and a latex copolymer formed from reactants comprising butyl methacrylate, wherein the reactants comprise at least 20 wt. % a vinyl monomer, based on the total weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the latex copolymer. A homopolymer formed from the vinyl monomer preferably exhibits a glass transition temperature of between about 10 C. and about 30 C. A coating formed from the latex emulsion preferably exhibits a dry adhesion of greater than about 4 pounds per linear inch when applied between a thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane and a plywood roofing substrate at an average coat weight of about 6 lbs/100 ft.sup.2 and subjected to 180 peel testing according to ASTM D903 with a 2-inch per minute pull rate. The latex emulsion may include a second latex copolymer or stage, and may be used as part of an aqueous adhesive composition.

A latex emulsion that includes an aqueous carrier liquid and a latex copolymer formed from reactants comprising butyl methacrylate, wherein the reactants comprise at least 20 wt. % a vinyl monomer, based on the total weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the latex copolymer. A homopolymer formed from the vinyl monomer preferably exhibits a glass transition temperature of between about 10 C. and about 30 C. A coating formed from the latex emulsion preferably exhibits a dry adhesion of greater than about 4 pounds per linear inch when applied between a thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane and a plywood roofing substrate at an average coat weight of about 6 lbs/100 ft.sup.2 and subjected to 180 peel testing according to ASTM D903 with a 2-inch per minute pull rate. The latex emulsion may include a second latex copolymer or stage, and may be used as part of an aqueous adhesive composition.

The present disclosure relates generally to roofing elements and methods for making them. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a roofing element in the form of a roofing shingle that includes a body of a foamed cured cross-linked polymer, the body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the body extending substantially in a plane and having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 35 mm; and a layer of weather-resistant roofing granules disposed on and adhered at the top surface of roofing element. The roofing element can be made by providing a body of wet foamed curable composition, and allowing the curable composition to cure to provide the body of foamed cured cross-linked polymer.

Silicone compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. The silicone coatings can exhibit improved dirt pick-up resistance and cleanability. The silicone compositions include a polysiloxane, at least one surfactant, and optionally one or more of a pigment, a filler, a crosslinker, an adhesion promoter, a catalyst, additives or solvents.

Silicone compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. The silicone coatings can exhibit improved dirt pick-up resistance and cleanability. The silicone compositions include a polysiloxane, at least one surfactant, and optionally one or more of a pigment, a filler, a crosslinker, an adhesion promoter, a catalyst, additives or solvents.

Methods utilizing a rubber coating developed from chemical devulcanization are disclosed herein. One method includes chemically devulcanizing rubber to create liquid rubber, placing the liquid rubber into a mold configured to form a liner for use with a casket, and drying the liquid rubber to form the liner, which lines an interior of the casket. Another method includes chemically devulcanizing rubber into liquid rubber, placing the liquid rubber into a pressurized spray container, forming a liquid rubber coating spray by preserving the liquid rubber within the spray container, spraying the liquid rubber onto a surface, and drying the liquid rubber to solidify it over the surface. An alternative method includes chemically devulcanizing rubber into liquid rubber, mixing the liquid rubber with asphalt to form a liquid rubber-asphalt mixture, paving a surface with the liquid rubber-asphalt mixture, and drying the liquid rubber-asphalt mixture to solidify it over the surface.

Methods utilizing a rubber coating developed from chemical devulcanization are disclosed herein. One method includes chemically devulcanizing rubber to create liquid rubber, placing the liquid rubber into a mold configured to form a liner for use with a casket, and drying the liquid rubber to form the liner, which lines an interior of the casket. Another method includes chemically devulcanizing rubber into liquid rubber, placing the liquid rubber into a pressurized spray container, forming a liquid rubber coating spray by preserving the liquid rubber within the spray container, spraying the liquid rubber onto a surface, and drying the liquid rubber to solidify it over the surface. An alternative method includes chemically devulcanizing rubber into liquid rubber, mixing the liquid rubber with asphalt to form a liquid rubber-asphalt mixture, paving a surface with the liquid rubber-asphalt mixture, and drying the liquid rubber-asphalt mixture to solidify it over the surface.

A sensor and system for monitoring integrity of a waterproofing system membrane. A geomembrane integrity monitoring system includes control means 18 and a plurality of sensors 20. The sensors 20 are electrically isolated from each other and in electrical communication to the control means 18. The sensors 20 have a sheet form.

Photocatalytic roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with photocatalytic particles dispersed in the binder.