In the field of decorative floor coverings, decorative panels are known having a MDF (Medium Density Board) or HDF (High Density Board) based core layer on top of which a decorative substrate is attached to provide the panels a desired appearance. The invention relates to a panel, in particular a decorative panel, a floor panel, a ceiling panel or a wall panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled panels.

What are described are a process for producing an insulating product for the refractory industry or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product, and a corresponding insulating material/insulating product. Likewise described are the use of a matrix encapsulation process in the production of an insulating product for the refractory industry and a corresponding insulating product and/or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product.

What are described are a process for producing an insulating product for the refractory industry or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product, and a corresponding insulating material/insulating product. Likewise described are the use of a matrix encapsulation process in the production of an insulating product for the refractory industry and a corresponding insulating product and/or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product.

The present invention relates to a composition for manufacturing artificial marble including a first preliminary composition and a second preliminary composition which include an acrylic-based monomer, an acrylic-based resin, a polymerization initiator, a crosslinking agent, a coloring agent, and a gelling agent and have a viscosity of 100,000 Ps to 5,000,000 Ps and/or a storage modulus of 100,000 Pa to 1,000,000 Pa. A viscosity of the second preliminary composition is higher than a viscosity of the first preliminary composition. Coloring agents of the first preliminary composition and the second preliminary composition have different colors. A weight ratio of the first preliminary composition to the second preliminary composition is in a range of 1:1 to 500:1. According to the present invention, artificial marble having a dashed pattern similar to that of natural marble is provided by increasing viscoelasticity to prepare semi-solid preliminary compositions for manufacturing artificial marble, having excellent workability and machinability, preparing a composition for manufacturing artificial marble by mixing two or more of the semi-solid preliminary compositions, and performing various molding and machining processes on the composition.

The present invention relates to a composition for manufacturing artificial marble including a first preliminary composition and a second preliminary composition which include an acrylic-based monomer, an acrylic-based resin, a polymerization initiator, a crosslinking agent, a coloring agent, and a gelling agent and have a viscosity of 100,000 Ps to 5,000,000 Ps and/or a storage modulus of 100,000 Pa to 1,000,000 Pa. A viscosity of the second preliminary composition is higher than a viscosity of the first preliminary composition. Coloring agents of the first preliminary composition and the second preliminary composition have different colors. A weight ratio of the first preliminary composition to the second preliminary composition is in a range of 1:1 to 500:1. According to the present invention, artificial marble having a dashed pattern similar to that of natural marble is provided by increasing viscoelasticity to prepare semi-solid preliminary compositions for manufacturing artificial marble, having excellent workability and machinability, preparing a composition for manufacturing artificial marble by mixing two or more of the semi-solid preliminary compositions, and performing various molding and machining processes on the composition.

An exemplary process for forming a cured hybrid magnesium cement composition may include first combining a mixture of magnesium-containing material, a metal silicate inorganic polymer having a repeat unit of SiP.sub.2O.sub.7, and a salt having a non-metallic oxide anion, and then mixing the mixture with water.

An exemplary process for forming a cured hybrid magnesium cement composition may include first combining a mixture of magnesium-containing material, a metal silicate inorganic polymer having a repeat unit of SiP.sub.2O.sub.7, and a salt having a non-metallic oxide anion, and then mixing the mixture with water.

Methods for cementing a subterranean well and maintaining zonal isolation involve preparing a cement slurry that contains water, an inorganic cement and an expanding agent. The slurry is placed in the annular region between casing and the formation or between two casing strings. After the cement sets, the expanding agent reacts and causes the set cement to be in a state of compression within the annular region. The casing dimensions may fluctuate in response to a temperature change, a pressure change, a mechanical disturbance resulting from a well intervention, or mud contamination or a combination thereof. The expanding agent may further react and maintain a state of compression within the annular region. The state of compression in the annular region may be monitored by acoustic impedance measurements.

Methods for cementing a subterranean well and maintaining zonal isolation involve preparing a cement slurry that contains water, an inorganic cement and an expanding agent. The slurry is placed in the annular region between casing and the formation or between two casing strings. After the cement sets, the expanding agent reacts and causes the set cement to be in a state of compression within the annular region. The casing dimensions may fluctuate in response to a temperature change, a pressure change, a mechanical disturbance resulting from a well intervention, or mud contamination or a combination thereof. The expanding agent may further react and maintain a state of compression within the annular region. The state of compression in the annular region may be monitored by acoustic impedance measurements.

A fire insulation precursor material formed of cement, in an amount of between 10-30% w/w; and an aluminium or magnesium hydroxide, huntite or hydromagnesite in an amount of between 60-90% w/w. A fire insulation material is provided including the previously mentioned precursor material. Further described are methods of forming a fire insulation material and applications for such material in sheaths, duct coatings, cable trays and other elongate components.