The present invention relates to a composite material, particularly a composite material for ceramic tiles, stone cladding, surface tops (e.g. worktops), and the like. The composite materials are typically derived from waste products. The composite materials of the present invention are formed from a glass component and a non-glass mineral component (e.g. ceramics and/or glaze). Generally the composite materials do not require any binders (especially synthetic binders) to hold the materials together. Therefore, the composite materials and products made therefrom are typically recyclable.

A solar heat-reflective roofing product includes a base sheet, and solar heat-reflective roofing granules on top of the base sheet. The granules have a base particle with a flake-like geometry covered by a uniform coating layer. The coating layer has a thickness of at least one mil and includes a coating binder and at least one solar heat-reflective pigment. The solar heat-reflective pigment provides a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70 percent to the granules and the roofing product. Roofing products including roofing shingles and roofing membranes are described.

A solar heat-reflective roofing product includes a base sheet, and solar heat-reflective roofing granules on top of the base sheet. The granules have a base particle with a flake-like geometry covered by a uniform coating layer. The coating layer has a thickness of at least one mil and includes a coating binder and at least one solar heat-reflective pigment. The solar heat-reflective pigment provides a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70 percent to the granules and the roofing product. Roofing products including roofing shingles and roofing membranes are described.

Clay materials useful as binding agents in green sandcasting and other molding processes are discussed, as well as methods of preparing such clay materials. The clay materials may be chemically treated. For example, a natural clay may be combined with one or more reducing agents, such that an amount of iron present as ferric iron (Fe.sup.3+) in the natural clay is at least partially reduced to ferrous iron (Fe.sup.2+) in the chemically-treated clay. The chemically-treated clay may exhibit greater water absorption, binding properties, and/or sintering properties as compared to an untreated, natural clay.

Solar reflective roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with solar reflective particles dispersed in the binder. An agglomeration process preferentially disposes the solar reflective particles at a desired depth within or beneath the surface of the granules.

Solar reflective roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with solar reflective particles dispersed in the binder. An agglomeration process preferentially disposes the solar reflective particles at a desired depth within or beneath the surface of the granules.

The present application relates to a pattern forming method for quartz surface and a pattern forming device for quartz surface. According to the pattern forming method for quartz surface of the present application, by comprising a step of forming a pattern and a step of forming a color, it is possible to freely express the color on the pattern simultaneously along with forming the pattern on the quartz surface. And, in addition to these steps, by optionally comprising a step of additionally forming a pattern, it is possible to freely form a desired pattern on the quartz surface, and, by adding long line type patterns on the quartz surface unlike existing conventional quartz surfaces, it is possible to produce the quartz surface showing patterns and textures which are more natural and close to natural stone.

The present application relates to a pattern forming method for quartz surface and a pattern forming device for quartz surface. According to the pattern forming method for quartz surface of the present application, by comprising a step of forming a pattern and a step of forming a color, it is possible to freely express the color on the pattern simultaneously along with forming the pattern on the quartz surface. And, in addition to these steps, by optionally comprising a step of additionally forming a pattern, it is possible to freely form a desired pattern on the quartz surface, and, by adding long line type patterns on the quartz surface unlike existing conventional quartz surfaces, it is possible to produce the quartz surface showing patterns and textures which are more natural and close to natural stone.

Solar reflective roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with solar reflective particles dispersed in the binder. An agglomeration process preferentially disposes the solar reflective particles at a desired depth within or beneath the surface of the granules.

Solar reflective roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with solar reflective particles dispersed in the binder. An agglomeration process preferentially disposes the solar reflective particles at a desired depth within or beneath the surface of the granules.