An article made of conglomerate material comprising an aggregate comprising granules of expanded glass or expanded ceramic/clay defining between them inter-granular cavities and a binding resin. The binding resin is present in the minimum amount required to coat the granules of expanded glass or expanded ceramic/clay and the inter-granular cavities contain only air and are devoid of filling material. The binding resin is present in an amount equal to about 6-16% of the volume of the article and is a thermosetting resin obtained by means of reaction between an epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid triglyceride and a carboxylic anhydride in the presence of a catalyst.

The present invention provides a geopolymer cement, comprising: a geopolymer binder; and a setting control composition comprising: a viscosity control agent, a polymeric binder, and a retarding additive. The invention also relates to a geopolymer concrete comprising the geopolymer cement of the invention and aggregate material. The invention further relates to a method for controlling open time in a geopolymer composition, wherein a sufficient quantity of the setting control composition is added such that the open time is between 30 and 120 minutes. The present invention provides particular uses in construction of walls, flooring, and roofing, especially lightweight prefabricated panels intended to be used as structural, insulating or cladding elements.

The present invention provides a geopolymer cement, comprising: a geopolymer binder; and a setting control composition comprising: a viscosity control agent, a polymeric binder, and a retarding additive. The invention also relates to a geopolymer concrete comprising the geopolymer cement of the invention and aggregate material. The invention further relates to a method for controlling open time in a geopolymer composition, wherein a sufficient quantity of the setting control composition is added such that the open time is between 30 and 120 minutes. The present invention provides particular uses in construction of walls, flooring, and roofing, especially lightweight prefabricated panels intended to be used as structural, insulating or cladding elements.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inorganic board suitable for achieving high specific strength and high freeze-thaw resistance as well as weight reduction and a method for producing the inorganic board. An inorganic board X1 according to the present invention includes a cured layer 11 that includes an inorganic cured matrix, an organic reinforcement material dispersed therein, and a hollow body that is attached to the organic reinforcement material and is smaller than the maximum length of the organic reinforcement material. A method for producing an inorganic board according to the present invention includes a first step of preparing a first mixture through mixing of an organic reinforcement material and a hollow body smaller than the maximum length of the organic reinforcement material, a second step of preparing a second mixture through mixing of the first mixture, a hydraulic material, and a siliceous material, and a third step of forming a second mixture mat by depositing the second mixture.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inorganic board suitable for achieving high specific strength and high freeze-thaw resistance as well as weight reduction and a method for producing the inorganic board. An inorganic board X1 according to the present invention includes a cured layer 11 that includes an inorganic cured matrix, an organic reinforcement material dispersed therein, and a hollow body that is attached to the organic reinforcement material and is smaller than the maximum length of the organic reinforcement material. A method for producing an inorganic board according to the present invention includes a first step of preparing a first mixture through mixing of an organic reinforcement material and a hollow body smaller than the maximum length of the organic reinforcement material, a second step of preparing a second mixture through mixing of the first mixture, a hydraulic material, and a siliceous material, and a third step of forming a second mixture mat by depositing the second mixture.

Roofing granules include heat-treated, porous, mineral-based granules having a moisture absorption of at least seven percent by weight and a blend of such heat-treated, porous, mineral-based granules and additional granules having a moisture absorption of less than five percent by weight. Use of the granules as roofing granules is also disclosed. A construction article includes a substrate, an organic coating, and heat-treated, porous, mineral-based aggregate having a moisture absorption of at least seven percent by weight at least partially embedded in the organic coating. A method of making the construction article is also disclosed.

Roofing granules include heat-treated, porous, mineral-based granules having a moisture absorption of at least seven percent by weight and a blend of such heat-treated, porous, mineral-based granules and additional granules having a moisture absorption of less than five percent by weight. Use of the granules as roofing granules is also disclosed. A construction article includes a substrate, an organic coating, and heat-treated, porous, mineral-based aggregate having a moisture absorption of at least seven percent by weight at least partially embedded in the organic coating. A method of making the construction article is also disclosed.

Described are dry cast lightweight veneer blocks and a system and method of installing lightweight veneer blocks. The courses can be assembled without mortar between the courses. As an example, sides of the veneer blocks have areas that recede from an imaginary plane between adjacent veneer blocks to give a deep texturing and a shadow effect between veneer blocks. The installation system and method include a substrate, an air barrier applied to the substrate, a plurality of veneer blocks, and an adhesive applied between the plurality of veneer blocks and the air barrier.

Described are dry cast lightweight veneer blocks and a system and method of installing lightweight veneer blocks. The courses can be assembled without mortar between the courses. As an example, sides of the veneer blocks have areas that recede from an imaginary plane between adjacent veneer blocks to give a deep texturing and a shadow effect between veneer blocks. The installation system and method include a substrate, an air barrier applied to the substrate, a plurality of veneer blocks, and an adhesive applied between the plurality of veneer blocks and the air barrier.

The present disclosure is directed to chemical additives for geopolymer cements that can improve the rheological properties of geopolymer cements. These chemical additives include sulfates and selenates of a specific formula as well as hydroxycarboxylic acid salts of Li, Na, and K including but not limited to glycolic, lactic, citric, mandelic tartaric, and malic acids. The chemical additives for geopolymer cements disclosed herein can facilitate the uniform mixing, increase the time mixtures can be transported, and improve the ability to place and finish concrete and mortars made with the geopolymer cements.