The invention relates to a mineral binder suitable for use in binding aggregate in a mineral mortar or concrete mixture, said binder comprising the following components:

a) at least 40 wt % of calcined kaolinitic clay and ultrafine crushed CDW,
wherein the ratio between calcined clay and ultrafine crushed CDW is between 3:7 and 1:1 (w/w),
b) optionally 2-50 wt. % of a chemical activator; and
wherein the calcined kaolinitic clay, the ultrafine crushed CDW and the optionally present chemical activator are present in a combined amount of at least 90 wt. %, based on the total weight of the binder. The invention further relates to mineral mortar or concrete mixtures based on this mineral binder, as well as building units made from these mixtures.

A cement admixture containing one kind or two or more kinds of non-hydraulic compound(s) selected from γ-2CaO.Math.SiO.sub.2, 3CaO.Math.2SiO.sub.2, α-CaO.Math.SiO.sub.2, and calcium magnesium silicate, wherein the non-hydraulic compound contains Li, and the content rate of the Li is 0.001 to 1.0% by mass in terms of oxide. Such admixtures may contain, as chemical components, 0.001 to 1.0 parts by mass of Li.sub.2O, 45 to 70 parts by mass of CaO, 30 to 55 parts by mass of SiO.sub.2, and 0 to 10 parts by mass of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in 100 parts by mass of the cement admixture.

A cement admixture containing one kind or two or more kinds of non-hydraulic compound(s) selected from γ-2CaO.Math.SiO.sub.2, 3CaO.Math.2SiO.sub.2, α-CaO.Math.SiO.sub.2, and calcium magnesium silicate, wherein the non-hydraulic compound contains Li, and the content rate of the Li is 0.001 to 1.0% by mass in terms of oxide. Such admixtures may contain, as chemical components, 0.001 to 1.0 parts by mass of Li.sub.2O, 45 to 70 parts by mass of CaO, 30 to 55 parts by mass of SiO.sub.2, and 0 to 10 parts by mass of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in 100 parts by mass of the cement admixture.

The present invention provides dry mixes for skim coat mortars having improved pot life and workability while reducing cellulose ether dosage comprising a white cement, one or more fillers having a sieve average particle size of from 15 to 60 microns, from 0.25 to 0.5 wt. % of one or more gel-like crosslinked cellulose ethers containing polyether groups, preferably, a mixed cellulose ether having polyoxypropylene dioxyethylene ether crosslinks, and from 1 to 2.5 wt. % of one or more polymer redispersible powders (RDP). At least one gel-like crosslinked cellulose ether has a crossover point as measured by oscillation rheometry, at which storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) intersect and are identical, of 1.0ω or less. The present invention also provides methods of using the dry mixes.

The present invention provides dry mixes for skim coat mortars having improved pot life and workability while reducing cellulose ether dosage comprising a white cement, one or more fillers having a sieve average particle size of from 15 to 60 microns, from 0.25 to 0.5 wt. % of one or more gel-like crosslinked cellulose ethers containing polyether groups, preferably, a mixed cellulose ether having polyoxypropylene dioxyethylene ether crosslinks, and from 1 to 2.5 wt. % of one or more polymer redispersible powders (RDP). At least one gel-like crosslinked cellulose ether has a crossover point as measured by oscillation rheometry, at which storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) intersect and are identical, of 1.0ω or less. The present invention also provides methods of using the dry mixes.

A red mud utilization method based on co-processing of industrial exhaust gas, sewage treatment and an environment-friendly and high-performance civil functional material, belongs to the technical field of environmental science and cementitious material preparation, and relates to a preparation process of a solid waste-based cementitious material, specifically including the steps: preparing an environment-friendly and high-performance red mud-based civil functional material by using slag obtained after sewage treatment with red mud and other solid wastes in physical and chemical activation and high-temperature calcination methods. The compressive strength of a solid waste-based cementitious material prepared by using the method can reach 29 MPa, the leaching quantity (lower than 3.0 ppm) of toxic elements such as heavy metals is far lower than the national standard requirement, and a solid waste-based cementitious material with great performance can be prepared.

Disclosed herein are fire resistant compositions and articles, for example, in the form of boards, insulation, sheeting, blocks, panels and similar materials of construction. Also disclosed are methods of preparing fire resistant compositions and articles and methods of use thereof.

A composition for forming moulded mantels, columns and other decorative enhancement to fireplace openings is formed of a mixture of alpha hemihydrate gypsum plaster, cement, filler and milled fiber. By using this composition with water and acrylic binder a mixture is formed which sets and gains strength quickly and is an ideal material for manufacturing architectural and decorative structures. Advantageously, a casted piece can be removed from a mould within two to three hours after casting. The finished product has a desired finish that is similar to a casted gypsum cement, referred to sometimes as a honed finish which can withstand high heat, discoloration and cracking while maintaining suitable strength when exposed to typical temperatures of a fireplace surround in indoor applications.

A composition for forming moulded mantels, columns and other decorative enhancement to fireplace openings is formed of a mixture of alpha hemihydrate gypsum plaster, cement, filler and milled fiber. By using this composition with water and acrylic binder a mixture is formed which sets and gains strength quickly and is an ideal material for manufacturing architectural and decorative structures. Advantageously, a casted piece can be removed from a mould within two to three hours after casting. The finished product has a desired finish that is similar to a casted gypsum cement, referred to sometimes as a honed finish which can withstand high heat, discoloration and cracking while maintaining suitable strength when exposed to typical temperatures of a fireplace surround in indoor applications.

A method for treating aggregate to be used in cement is designed to perform surface treatment on aggregate by bringing fine bubble water containing fine bubbles into contact with the aggregate. The treated aggregate is used as a material for ready-mixed concrete to prepare concrete. The fine bubble water is produced by a high-speed swirling method, a pressure releasing method, or a combination thereof. The dispersibility of the aggregate is improved by the surface treatment.