A polymer-based compound, useful as a polymer masonry unit is disclosed that can include a polymer added to a quarry byproduct to manufacture a quality brick unit. The present disclosure solves the technological problem of providing a structurally sound brick or concrete alternative without the need for kiln firing, using traditionally unusable waste material. By combining quarry byproduct and a polymer, a polymer masonry unit can be fabricated having compressive strength and architectural utility. In one exemplary embodiment, fiber elements can be added to the byproduct and polymer mixture to increase structural stability. The present disclosure improves the performance of the system itself by providing a basic block or brick unit using an environmentally responsible manufacturing process that reduces cost and waste. The manufacturing process includes a polymer/base material that can be poured into molds that cures over a predetermined period, without the need for kiln firing.

A polymer-based compound, useful as a polymer masonry unit is disclosed that can include a polymer added to a quarry byproduct to manufacture a quality brick unit. The present disclosure solves the technological problem of providing a structurally sound brick or concrete alternative without the need for kiln firing, using traditionally unusable waste material. By combining quarry byproduct and a polymer, a polymer masonry unit can be fabricated having compressive strength and architectural utility. In one exemplary embodiment, fiber elements can be added to the byproduct and polymer mixture to increase structural stability. The present disclosure improves the performance of the system itself by providing a basic block or brick unit using an environmentally responsible manufacturing process that reduces cost and waste. The manufacturing process includes a polymer/base material that can be poured into molds that cures over a predetermined period, without the need for kiln firing.

Some implementations herein described improvements to concrete products and processes for producing concrete products that may provide a positive environmental impact and that can be stronger relative to the percent of cement used. Particular examples include improvements to zero-slump to near-zero-slump concrete mixture design, material storage and handling, batching, mixing, sequencing and curing processes, as well as forming and curing techniques.

Some implementations herein described improvements to concrete products and processes for producing concrete products that may provide a positive environmental impact and that can be stronger relative to the percent of cement used. Particular examples include improvements to zero-slump to near-zero-slump concrete mixture design, material storage and handling, batching, mixing, sequencing and curing processes, as well as forming and curing techniques.

A bonded abrasive article includes elongate shaped abrasive particles. The elongate shaped abrasive particles comprise an elongate shaped ceramic body having opposed first and second ends joined to each other by at least two longitudinal sidewalls. At least one of the at least two longitudinal sidewalls is concave along its length. At least one of the first and second ends is a fractured surface.

A bonded abrasive article includes elongate shaped abrasive particles. The elongate shaped abrasive particles comprise an elongate shaped ceramic body having opposed first and second ends joined to each other by at least two longitudinal sidewalls. At least one of the at least two longitudinal sidewalls is concave along its length. At least one of the first and second ends is a fractured surface.

A method of manufacturing a shaped abrasive particle is disclosed. The method includes filling a cavity of a tool with an abrasive particle precursor material. The cavity has at least an interior surface that extends downward from a tool top surface at an angle. The method also includes leveling the abrasive particle precursor material such that a top surface of the abrasive particle precursor materials is flush with the tool surface, such that a sharp portion is formed along the intersection between the sloped wall of the tool cavity and the tool surface and the sharp portion is within the same plane as the tool surface. The method also includes removing a dried abrasive particle precursor from the cavity of the tool. The abrasive particle has a sharp portion formed along the intersection between the interior surface and the tool surface.

A method of manufacturing a shaped abrasive particle is disclosed. The method includes filling a cavity of a tool with an abrasive particle precursor material. The cavity has at least an interior surface that extends downward from a tool top surface at an angle. The method also includes leveling the abrasive particle precursor material such that a top surface of the abrasive particle precursor materials is flush with the tool surface, such that a sharp portion is formed along the intersection between the sloped wall of the tool cavity and the tool surface and the sharp portion is within the same plane as the tool surface. The method also includes removing a dried abrasive particle precursor from the cavity of the tool. The abrasive particle has a sharp portion formed along the intersection between the interior surface and the tool surface.

Embodiments disclosed herein include dissolvable and intentionally degradable objects that are useful for hydraulic fracking operations. Such objects are at least in part manufactured using materials that are soluble in certain fluids including water. The dissolvable and intentionally degradable fracking objects can be manufactured from one or more materials, including composite materials. In one embodiment, dissolvable fracking objects are manufactured from ceramic materials that are soluble in fluids such as water. Such dissolvable fracking objects include fracking balls and plugs. These fracking balls and plugs are arranged to seal a well for a predetermined period of time and dissolve over that predetermined period of time until the well is no longer sealed. In another embodiment, tools generally useful in fracking operations are manufactured to have desirable elastomeric properties. Such tools can be manufactured from a combination of materials that are soluble in fluids and generally dispersible in fluids.

Embodiments disclosed herein include dissolvable and intentionally degradable objects that are useful for hydraulic fracking operations. Such objects are at least in part manufactured using materials that are soluble in certain fluids including water. The dissolvable and intentionally degradable fracking objects can be manufactured from one or more materials, including composite materials. In one embodiment, dissolvable fracking objects are manufactured from ceramic materials that are soluble in fluids such as water. Such dissolvable fracking objects include fracking balls and plugs. These fracking balls and plugs are arranged to seal a well for a predetermined period of time and dissolve over that predetermined period of time until the well is no longer sealed. In another embodiment, tools generally useful in fracking operations are manufactured to have desirable elastomeric properties. Such tools can be manufactured from a combination of materials that are soluble in fluids and generally dispersible in fluids.