Disclosed is a refractory coating composition, which includes: based on the total weight of the composition, (a) 20 to 40 wt % of cement, (b) 15 to 40 wt % of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag, (c) 5 to 20 wt % of at least one selected from among mica and alumina, (d) 0 to 10 wt % of flyash from a fluidized-bed boiler, (e) 10 to 40 wt % of expanded vermiculite, (f) 10 to 30 wt % of at least one selected from among calcium carbonate and limestone, and (g) 0.5 to 20 wt % of a thickening agent, and which also has a predetermined porosity and thus an appropriate density, is non-shrinkable to thus reduce cracking due to shrinkage, and exhibits drastically increased resistance to heat in the event of a fire.

The invention provides a composition having a bulk density of 0.8 g/cm.sup.3 or less comprising (a) 25-65 weight % of an inorganic binder comprising (i) 83 to 100 weight % of calcium aluminate cement, (ii) 0 to 14 weight % of calcium sulphate, (iii) 0 to 9 weight % of portland cement wherein the weight % of (i), (ii), (iii) is based on the sum of (i)+(ii)+(iii), (b) 0.5-15 weight % of one or more organic polymers, (c) 30-75 weight % of one or more inorganic fillers wherein the bulk density of the fillers is less than 0.5 g/cm.sup.3, wherein weight % is calculated on the total weight of all the non-volatile components in the composition.

The invention provides a composition having a bulk density of 0.8 g/cm.sup.3 or less comprising (a) 25-65 weight % of an inorganic binder comprising (i) 83 to 100 weight % of calcium aluminate cement, (ii) 0 to 14 weight % of calcium sulphate, (iii) 0 to 9 weight % of portland cement wherein the weight % of (i), (ii), (iii) is based on the sum of (i)+(ii)+(iii), (b) 0.5-15 weight % of one or more organic polymers, (c) 30-75 weight % of one or more inorganic fillers wherein the bulk density of the fillers is less than 0.5 g/cm.sup.3, wherein weight % is calculated on the total weight of all the non-volatile components in the composition.

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.

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.

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 fiber cement products comprising an inner core material, which inner core material is covered by at least one outer surface layer, characterized in that:said inner core material has a density of between about 0.4 and about 0.9 g/cm.sup.3 inclusive, and at least comprises cement and between 1 wt % and 70 wt % (with respect to the total dry weight of said inner core material) of a lightweight filler, andsaid at least one outer surface layer has a density of between about 0.9 and about 1.4 g/cm.sup.3 inclusive, and at least comprises fibers and cement.

The present invention relates to fiber cement products comprising an inner core material, which inner core material is covered by at least one outer surface layer, characterized in that:said inner core material has a density of between about 0.4 and about 0.9 g/cm.sup.3 inclusive, and at least comprises cement and between 1 wt % and 70 wt % (with respect to the total dry weight of said inner core material) of a lightweight filler, andsaid at least one outer surface layer has a density of between about 0.9 and about 1.4 g/cm.sup.3 inclusive, and at least comprises fibers and cement.