The invention provides novel methods and novel additive compositions and use thereof in a wide range of concrete production for improving properties of concrete materials, such as durability and aestheticity. The methods and compositions of the invention may be applied in a variety of cement and concrete components in the infrastructure, construction, pavement and landscaping industries.

The invention provides novel methods and novel additive compositions and use thereof in a wide range of concrete production for improving properties of concrete materials, such as durability and aestheticity. The methods and compositions of the invention may be applied in a variety of cement and concrete components in the infrastructure, construction, pavement and landscaping industries.

A cementitious composition includes (i) white Portland cement having a fineness of about 350-550 m.sup.2/kg, D90 between about 11-50 m, and total combined iron oxide, manganese oxide, and chromium oxide <1.0% by weight (ii) light color pozzolan such as white silica fume, and (iii) at least one light color particulate material, such as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) having a fineness greater than that of the white Portland cement, a D90 less than that of the white Portland cement, and total combined iron oxide, manganese oxide, and chromium oxide content <3.0% by weight and/or coarse limestone powder having a D90 greater than that of the white cement. The cementitious composition may include one or more of aggregates, fibers, or admixture. The cementitious composition can be a dry blend, fresh cementitious mixture, or hardened cementitious composition. The cementitious composition can be precast concrete, stucco, GFRC, UHPC or SCC.

A cementitious composition includes (i) white Portland cement having a fineness of about 350-550 m.sup.2/kg, D90 between about 11-50 m, and total combined iron oxide, manganese oxide, and chromium oxide <1.0% by weight (ii) light color pozzolan such as white silica fume, and (iii) at least one light color particulate material, such as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) having a fineness greater than that of the white Portland cement, a D90 less than that of the white Portland cement, and total combined iron oxide, manganese oxide, and chromium oxide content <3.0% by weight and/or coarse limestone powder having a D90 greater than that of the white cement. The cementitious composition may include one or more of aggregates, fibers, or admixture. The cementitious composition can be a dry blend, fresh cementitious mixture, or hardened cementitious composition. The cementitious composition can be precast concrete, stucco, GFRC, UHPC or SCC.

An improved friction material is described, comprising a binding composition based on a hydraulic binder, and its use in brake pads and industrial applications.

An improved friction material is described, comprising a binding composition based on a hydraulic binder, and its use in brake pads and industrial applications.

An alkaline-activated binder system for fire concretes includes at least one mineral binder and a mineral activator which, in a mixture with water, form a curing geopolymer, where a combination of at least two magnesium components (Mg components) which give an alkaline reaction with water and react with the binder at different times to form a geopolymer is present as activator, where the magnesium components have a different reactivity in respect of atmospheric moisture and/or in respect of the binder. A dry fire concrete mix contains the binder system and the mix may be used in, for example, facilities in the steel industry.

An alkaline-activated binder system for fire concretes includes at least one mineral binder and a mineral activator which, in a mixture with water, form a curing geopolymer, where a combination of at least two magnesium components (Mg components) which give an alkaline reaction with water and react with the binder at different times to form a geopolymer is present as activator, where the magnesium components have a different reactivity in respect of atmospheric moisture and/or in respect of the binder. A dry fire concrete mix contains the binder system and the mix may be used in, for example, facilities in the steel industry.

A molding produced from a heat-curable bio-based casting composition, including: (a) one or more monofunctional and one or more polyfunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic biomonomers of vegetable or animal origin, (b) one or more polymers or copolymers selected from among polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyols, polyesters derived from recycled material or of vegetable or animal origin, (c) inorganic filler particles of natural origin, where the proportion of the monofunctional and polyfunctional acrylic and methacrylic biomonomer(s) is 10-40% by weight, the proportion of the polymer(s) or copolymer(s) is 1-16% by weight and the proportion of the inorganic filler particles is 44-89% by weight, wherein the polymerized composition has an impact strength of from 2-5 mJ/mm.sup.2.

A molding produced from a heat-curable bio-based casting composition, including: (a) one or more monofunctional and one or more polyfunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic biomonomers of vegetable or animal origin, (b) one or more polymers or copolymers selected from among polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyols, polyesters derived from recycled material or of vegetable or animal origin, (c) inorganic filler particles of natural origin, where the proportion of the monofunctional and polyfunctional acrylic and methacrylic biomonomer(s) is 10-40% by weight, the proportion of the polymer(s) or copolymer(s) is 1-16% by weight and the proportion of the inorganic filler particles is 44-89% by weight, wherein the polymerized composition has an impact strength of from 2-5 mJ/mm.sup.2.