Structures of a particle containing a core and at least one shell, a metal oxide material of which is necessarily doped to ensure protection of a material of the core from photodegradation. The core can include any of a thermochromic material, a phase-change material, and a judiciously defined auxiliary material that in turn contains organic and/or polymeric material. Derivative products utilizing a plurality of such particles. Methodologies for producing such particles and derivative products.

Structures of a particle containing a core and at least one shell, a metal oxide material of which is necessarily doped to ensure protection of a material of the core from photodegradation. The core can include any of a thermochromic material, a phase-change material, and a judiciously defined auxiliary material that in turn contains organic and/or polymeric material. Derivative products utilizing a plurality of such particles. Methodologies for producing such particles and derivative products.

Method for the production of granular materials designed to be used as aggregates and fillers in a mix containing a binder for the manufacture of articles in slab or block form. The method comprises a step of melting a mixture of selected minerals having a specific chemical composition, a step of casting the molten material, a step of cooling the cast material until a predetermined temperature is reached and a step of crushing and/or grinding the cooled material to obtain granular materials having a selected particle size and suitable for use as aggregates or fillers in the mix for the manufacture of articles in slab or block form. Moreover, the method comprises, upstream of the melting step, a step for recovery and collection of the manufacturing waste of other previously manufactured articles. The manufacturing waste is designed to compose at least partially the mixture of selected minerals. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing articles in slab or block form from a mix containing the aggregates and the fillers and a binder.

Method for the production of granular materials designed to be used as aggregates and fillers in a mix containing a binder for the manufacture of articles in slab or block form. The method comprises a step of melting a mixture of selected minerals having a specific chemical composition, a step of casting the molten material, a step of cooling the cast material until a predetermined temperature is reached and a step of crushing and/or grinding the cooled material to obtain granular materials having a selected particle size and suitable for use as aggregates or fillers in the mix for the manufacture of articles in slab or block form. Moreover, the method comprises, upstream of the melting step, a step for recovery and collection of the manufacturing waste of other previously manufactured articles. The manufacturing waste is designed to compose at least partially the mixture of selected minerals. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing articles in slab or block form from a mix containing the aggregates and the fillers and a binder.

Compositions containing an aliphatically unsaturated silicone resin, an organic compound containing a (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide group, a free radical initiator, and an organylammonium salt are useful in preparing composite articles, especially artificial stone.

Compositions containing an aliphatically unsaturated silicone resin, an organic compound containing a (meth)acrylate or (meth)acrylamide group, a free radical initiator, and an organylammonium salt are useful in preparing composite articles, especially artificial stone.

A colored cementitious composition is provided that is composed of hydraulic cement and a liquid coloring suspension. The liquid coloring suspension for cementitious compositions contains polycarboxylate dispersant, pigment, and a polysaccharide thixotropic additive. The liquid coloring suspension has improved viscosity consistency, improved shelf-life, anti-settling and anti-sludging properties, and decreased polycarboxylate dispersant requirements.

A colored cementitious composition is provided that is composed of hydraulic cement and a liquid coloring suspension. The liquid coloring suspension for cementitious compositions contains polycarboxylate dispersant, pigment, and a polysaccharide thixotropic additive. The liquid coloring suspension has improved viscosity consistency, improved shelf-life, anti-settling and anti-sludging properties, and decreased polycarboxylate dispersant requirements.

The invention is an improved macrosynthetic fiber for concrete reinforcement.

High SRI cementitious systems comprising integral concrete coloring admixtures, toppings, dry-shake hardeners, and other cementitious systems are provided. The high-SRI cementitious systems comprise one or more IR reflective pigments and other components to make-up the cementitious system, depending on the application. The high-SRI cementitious systems of the invention may be in the form of mixtures which increase the total solar reflectivity (TSR or albedo) and the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of concrete. The high-SRI cementitious systems may be toppings mixed with water for application to existing concrete surfaces, dry-shake hardeners for application to freshly-placed plastic concrete, or the IR reflective pigments may be mixed into integrally colored concrete in various forms, such as conventional cast-in-place concrete, lightweight concrete, pervious concrete and concrete building panels, pavers or masonry units.