A door for attenuating sound includes at least one core disposed between a front surface and a back surface. The at least one core includes a composition comprising vermiculite, for example, expanded vermiculite, and an inorganic bonding agent. Such a composition for the core has a density of at least 600 Kg/m.sup.3. The door has at least a sound transmission class (STC) rating or an outdoors/indoors transmission coefficient (OITC) being higher than 30.

Cementitious compositions and methods for preparing and using the cementitious compositions to yield hardened concrete. The cementitious compositions yield hardened concrete having reduced or attenuated water vapor emission and lower internal relative humidity (IRH). Cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of rapid surface drying while maintaining good workability, particularly when using porous lightweight aggregates that absorb substantial amounts of water. Methods of decreasing water availability and increasing surface drying of concrete, including lightweight concrete, are provided. A water soluble ionic salt may be used to sequester water within the pores and capillaries of the cement paste and/or porous lightweight aggreate by modifying the colligative propertie of pore water. The salt may be added directly to concrete or the concrete mix water, or, alternatively, aggregates may be infused with a water-salt solution to provide treated porous aggregates having improved water saturation and water retention.

Cementitious compositions and methods for preparing and using the cementitious compositions to yield hardened concrete. The cementitious compositions yield hardened concrete having reduced or attenuated water vapor emission and lower internal relative humidity (IRH). Cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of rapid surface drying while maintaining good workability, particularly when using porous lightweight aggregates that absorb substantial amounts of water. Methods of decreasing water availability and increasing surface drying of concrete, including lightweight concrete, are provided. A water soluble ionic salt may be used to sequester water within the pores and capillaries of the cement paste and/or porous lightweight aggreate by modifying the colligative propertie of pore water. The salt may be added directly to concrete or the concrete mix water, or, alternatively, aggregates may be infused with a water-salt solution to provide treated porous aggregates having improved water saturation and water retention.

The present invention relates to a slim vermiculite board for construction finishing comprising, to 100 parts by weight of fired vermiculite, 2.5-3.5 parts by weight of an additive and 100-120 parts by weight of a binder. The slim vermiculite board can help create a beautiful and luxurious interior by means of products having the natural patterns and diverse colors of vermiculite, does not produce construction waste and can be used as an agricultural soil conditioner. Also, the slim vermiculite board is light and easy to install, does not cause efflorescence, is deformation-free and eco-friendly, and has excellent deodorizing, antibacterial and fire-resistant properties and an excellent sound absorption coefficient.

The present invention relates to a slim vermiculite board for construction finishing comprising, to 100 parts by weight of fired vermiculite, 2.5-3.5 parts by weight of an additive and 100-120 parts by weight of a binder. The slim vermiculite board can help create a beautiful and luxurious interior by means of products having the natural patterns and diverse colors of vermiculite, does not produce construction waste and can be used as an agricultural soil conditioner. Also, the slim vermiculite board is light and easy to install, does not cause efflorescence, is deformation-free and eco-friendly, and has excellent deodorizing, antibacterial and fire-resistant properties and an excellent sound absorption coefficient.

The disclosure provides a method of decreasing the water load needed to form a fibrous panel. The process includes admixing a mineral wool, a cellulose, and a binder to provide a pre-mixed slurry, admixing a mineral filler with water to provide a mineral filler slurry, admixing the pre-mixed slurry and the mineral filler slurry to form a dispersion, flowing the dispersion onto a foraminous support wire to provide a green board, dewatering the green board to form a dewatered green board and drying the dewatered green board to provide a fibrous panel.

The disclosure provides a method of decreasing the water load needed to form a fibrous panel. The process includes admixing a mineral wool, a cellulose, and a binder to provide a pre-mixed slurry, admixing a mineral filler with water to provide a mineral filler slurry, admixing the pre-mixed slurry and the mineral filler slurry to form a dispersion, flowing the dispersion onto a foraminous support wire to provide a green board, dewatering the green board to form a dewatered green board and drying the dewatered green board to provide a fibrous panel.

A fire resistant building panel comprising: a first major face; a second major face; and a fire resistant body comprising a binder, at least one additive, and at least one fiber material, wherein the binder comprises a calcareous material and a siliceous material; and wherein the fire resistant body is disposed between the first major face and the second major face. The fire resistant body provides a fire rating of at least 45 minutes as tested in accordance with Australian Standard AS1530.4-2005.

A fire resistant building panel comprising: a first major face; a second major face; and a fire resistant body comprising a binder, at least one additive, and at least one fiber material, wherein the binder comprises a calcareous material and a siliceous material; and wherein the fire resistant body is disposed between the first major face and the second major face. The fire resistant body provides a fire rating of at least 45 minutes as tested in accordance with Australian Standard AS1530.4-2005.

Polyurethane composites and methods of preparation are described herein. The polyurethane composites can comprise (a) a polyurethane formed by the reaction of (i) one or more isocyanates selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, polyisocyanates, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) one or more polyols, (b) a particulate filler having a bulk density of 1 g/cm.sup.3 or greater, (c) optionally a fiber material, and (d) a lightweight filler having a bulk density from 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 to less than 1 g/cm.sup.3. In some examples, the lightweight filler can be selected from expanded perlite, expanded clay, foamed glass, and combinations thereof. Articles such as building materials comprising the polyurethane composites are also disclosed.