A new process for creating a decorative surface on a east concrete tile. A mold is prepared by coating with mold release. An aggregate of water, coloring dye, sand, Portland cement, and preferably filler material such as pea gravel is pre-mixed. Baking soda is mixed with a significant volume of water to create a high-viscosity paste. The paste preferably has a high solid to liquid ratio so that it can be crumbled into baking soda clumps of various sizes. The dampened baking soda clumps are sprinkled randomly onto the bottom surface of the mold (which will bear against what becomes the top surface of the east tile). The pre-mixed aggregate is then added to the mold. Once the aggregate is cured, the cast concrete tile is removed. The baking soda clumps create complex voids in the tile's upper surface, producing a surface texture similar to limestone.

The invention comprises a concrete form. The concrete form comprises a first panel having a first primary surface for contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first panel is made from a rigid plastic sheet or a metal sheet; and a second panel spaced from the second primary surface of the first panel, wherein the second panel is made from a rigid plastic sheet or a metal sheet. The concrete form also comprises a layer of insulating material disposed between the first panel and the second panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed.

The invention comprises a concrete form. The concrete form comprises a first panel having a first primary surface for contacting plastic concrete and a second primary surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first panel is made from a rigid plastic sheet or a metal sheet; and a second panel spaced from the second primary surface of the first panel, wherein the second panel is made from a rigid plastic sheet or a metal sheet. The concrete form also comprises a layer of insulating material disposed between the first panel and the second panel. A method of using the concrete form is also disclosed.

A material system for producing a water-soluble casting mold, comprising at least one water-soluble material for building a casting mold in a layering method, as well as comprising at least one material for sealing the surface of the casting mold. The water-soluble material is a material for building the casting mold using a powder bed-based layering method. The sealing material is preferably water insoluble. The material system may also include a free-flowing, hardenable material, which is preferably a hydraulically setting material. The materials of the casting mold are preferably dissolved with the aid of an aqueous solution, and in particular with the aid of a heated aqueous solution.

A mold body for use in a mold includes a mold cavity, a chill cavity, a fill channel, and a chill material having a thermal conductivity that is greater than the thermal conductivity of the mold body disposed within the chill cavity. The chill cavity is formed adjacent the mold cavity and is separated from the mold cavity by a chill wall. The fill channel is in communication with the chill cavity and with an exterior surface of the mold body.

A casting article according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a circuit forming portion and an interior channel formed inside of the circuit forming portion. The interior channel defines a leaching path that extends at least partially through the circuit forming portion.

A method for forming a hole in a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component may be provided. A sacrificial fiber having an environmental barrier coating on an outer surface thereof may be inserted into a porous ceramic preform that includes ceramic fibers. The ceramic preform may be formed into a ceramic matrix composite body. The sacrificial fiber may be removed from the ceramic matrix composite body, the environmental barrier coating of the sacrificial fiber defining an opening in the ceramic matrix composite body. A ceramic matrix composite component may be provided. The ceramic matrix composite component may include an environmental barrier coating of a sacrificial fiber, where the environmental barrier coating forms a lining of a hole passing partly or entirely through a thickness of the ceramic matrix composite body.

A process for producing an internal cavity in a CMC article and mandrels used therewith. The process entails incorporating a mandrel made of a fusible material that is melted and drained during a thermal treatment of a CMC preform to form the CMC article. The mandrel material is preferably non-wetting and non-reactive with any constituents of the CMC preform during the thermal treatment. The mandrel is preferably tin or an alloy of tin.

A rotation apparatus for rotationally molded shaped objects includes a receiving apparatus for receiving at least one negative mold, a holding apparatus for holding the receiving apparatus, and a drive unit for driving rotary motion of the receiving apparatus, wherein the receiving apparatus (1) is embodied as a sphere. The holding apparatus includes at least one support and guidance element (5) for supporting and guiding the receiving apparatus. The drive unit includes a drive element (9) that is arranged in the rotation apparatus and is connected in energy-transferring fashion to the receiving apparatus (1) to cause the sphere to rotate.

This disclosure describes devices and methods for forming voids in or adjacent concrete structures. In some embodiments, a device may include a structure. The structure may be substantially planar. The structure may include a plurality of channels extending therefrom. In some embodiments, the channels are closed at a first end distal from the structure. In some embodiments, the channels are open at a second end proximal to the structure. In some embodiments, the device may be formed from a molded pulp. The molded pulp may be configured to inhibit penetration of water. In some embodiments, the device may be configured to substantially support poured concrete during at least a portion of a curing process of the poured concrete.