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.

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 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.

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.

A density controlled cold fusion concrete cementitious spray applied fireproofing material including a mixture of water, one or more of silicon dioxide, expanded glass, vermiculite, bottom ash, perlite, expanded shale, or other lightweight aggregates of various diameter sizes ranging from about 0.025 mm to about 12.5 mm in diameter; anhydrous or hydrous sodium or potassium metasilicate; waste from steel production consisting of Granulated Ground Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS); high calcium or low calcium waste from coal combustion (fly ash or bottom ash); sodium tetraborate, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid, or boric acid; and an alkali-resistant micro-.

A density controlled cold fusion concrete cementitious spray applied fireproofing material including a mixture of water, one or more of silicon dioxide, expanded glass, vermiculite, bottom ash, perlite, expanded shale, or other lightweight aggregates of various diameter sizes ranging from about 0.025 mm to about 12.5 mm in diameter; anhydrous or hydrous sodium or potassium metasilicate; waste from steel production consisting of Granulated Ground Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS); high calcium or low calcium waste from coal combustion (fly ash or bottom ash); sodium tetraborate, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid, or boric acid; and an alkali-resistant micro-.

According to an embodiment, a method for thermally insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a grouting composition into an annulus between the tubular and the enclosed conduit, the grouting composition comprising: (i) a water-swellable binding material comprising water-swellable clay; (ii) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (iii) an insulating material; and (B) allowing the grouting composition to set after the step of introducing, wherein after setting the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr.Math.ft.Math. F. According to another embodiment, a grouting composition for use in insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises: (A) a water-swellable binding material comprising water-swellable clay; (B) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (C) an insulating material, wherein after the grouting composition has set, the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr.Math.ft.Math. F.

According to an embodiment, a method for thermally insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a grouting composition into an annulus between the tubular and the enclosed conduit, the grouting composition comprising: (i) a water-swellable binding material comprising water-swellable clay; (ii) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (iii) an insulating material; and (B) allowing the grouting composition to set after the step of introducing, wherein after setting the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr.Math.ft.Math. F. According to another embodiment, a grouting composition for use in insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises: (A) a water-swellable binding material comprising water-swellable clay; (B) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (C) an insulating material, wherein after the grouting composition has set, the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr.Math.ft.Math. F.

A density controlled cold fusion concrete cementitious spray applied fireproofing material including a mixture of water, one or more of silicon dioxide, expanded glass, vermiculite, bottom ash, perlite, expanded shale, or other lightweight aggregates of various diameter sizes ranging from about 0.025 mm to about 12.5 mm in diameter; anhydrous or hydrous sodium or potassium metasilicate; waste from steel production consisting of Granulated Ground Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS); high calcium or low calcium waste from coal combustion (fly ash or bottom ash); sodium tetraborate, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid, or boric acid; and an alkali-resistant micro-.