To provide a chemical agent whereby adjustment of air volume is easier, particularly in a hydraulic composition having fly ash blended therein. An admixture for a hydraulic composition, having a structure indicated by general formula (1) and including a carbon blocker including either one type of compound selected from a group comprising phosphate esters or at least two mixtures; and a water-reducing agent. (In the formula, R.sup.1 indicates a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, or a (meth)acryloyl group, A.sup.1O indicates a C2-3 oxyalkylene group, n indicates an average added molar number for the oxyalkylene group A.sup.1O of 2-150, m indicates an integer between 1 and 3, M indicates a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom, a group II metal atom, an ammonium group, or an organic ammonium group.)

Disclosed is an aqueous additive or sealing composition for cementitious compositions comprises a water-soluble salt of carbonate or hydrogen carbonate, a silica-based material, a specifically selected dispersant, at least one specifically selected thickening agent, and water. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing the aqueous additive or sealing composition, a cementitious composition comprising a hydraulic cementitious binder, a mineral aggregate, the aqueous additive composition, and optionally water and its preparation method is described. Moreover, a method of treating a surface of a cementitious structure by applying the aqueous additive or sealing composition on a surface of a cementitious structure as surface treatment agent or coating material is disclosed. The disclosed additive and sealing composition can be used as liquid crystalline waterproofing admixture composition in several applications.

A method of manufacturing a thermally insulating product comprises: (a) forming a mixture comprising solvent and gel network former and optionally foaming agent; (b) dispersing a thermally insulating filler in the mixture; and (c) drying the mixture to form the thermally insulating product.

A method of manufacturing a thermally insulating product comprises: (a) forming a mixture comprising solvent and gel network former and optionally foaming agent; (b) dispersing a thermally insulating filler in the mixture; and (c) drying the mixture to form the thermally insulating product.