A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer or an admixture, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be an admixture in powdered form, a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).

A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer or an admixture, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be an admixture in powdered form, a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).

An apparatus and method for producing a composite part, such as a reinforced composite part, are provided that enable control over the fiber or other particle orientation within each layer of the part during manufacture. The apparatus and method employ a print head including a dispensing tip and a magnetic assembly controllable to apply a magnetic field at a print location adjacent the dispensing tip outlet.

A composition for forming molded mantels, columns and other decorative enhancement to fireplace openings is formed of a mixture of alpha hemihydrate gypsum plaster, cement, filler and milled fiber. By using this composition with water and acrylic binder a mixture is formed which sets and gains strength quickly and is an ideal material for manufacturing architectural and decorative structures. Advantageously, a casted piece can be removed from a mold within two to three hours after casting. The finished product has a desired finish that is similar to a casted gypsum cement, referred to sometimes as a honed finish which can withstand high heat, discoloration and cracking while maintaining suitable strength when exposed to typical temperatures of a fireplace surround in indoor applications.

Methods for improved ceramics component casting. One such method may include vacuuming a ceramic-based slurry mixture and/or vacuuming a component mold. The vacuuming of the ceramic-based slurry mixture and the component mold may be to remove air bubbles from the respective elements. More specifically, the vacuuming may remove air bubbles from the ceramic-based slurry mixture and from a cavity of the component mold, respectively. The method may also include disposing the ceramic-based slurry mixture into the cavity of the component mold, and continuously vacuuming the cavity of the component mold including the ceramic-based slurry mixture for a predetermined time to remove any additional air bubbles included in the ceramic-based slurry mixture. Finally, the method may include forming a ceramic component within the continuously vacuumed cavity of the component mold over the duration of the predetermined time. The ceramic component formed from the ceramic-based slurry mixture.

A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).

A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).

The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing artificial marble including a granite soil storage unit for supplying a granite soil; a granite soil heating unit for heating the soil; a resin storage unit for storing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) resin; a mixing-transporting unit for accommodating the resin and the heated granite soil therein and melting and mixing them to produce and simultaneously transport an artificial marble slurry; a material guide unit for guiding the soil and the resin into the mixing-transporting unit; a discharge unit for discharging the slurry; a mold supply unit for continuously supplying a mold for accommodating and molding the slurry; a mold guide unit for guiding the mold to accommodate the slurry; a forming unit for forming an artificial marble by applying vibration and pressure to the slurry; an extraction unit for extracting the mold; and a lamination unit for laminating and storing the mold extracted.

A coating apparatus is provided that includes: a mixer configured to generate mixed ceramic powder in which a material which contains an organic compound imparting lubricity to raw ceramic powder whose average particle size is smaller than or equal to 10 m and acts as an additive is mixed into the raw ceramic powder; a jetting device configured to jet the mixed ceramic powder toward a surface of a base material; and a heating device configured to heat the mixed ceramic powder jetted from the jetting device, and to evaporate the organic compound of the additive contained in the mixed ceramic powder.

A concrete composition and method include a portion of fine aggregate bearing a coating of a polymer or an admixture, which may be a continuous coating layer or a layer of powdered, discrete particles embedded in a binder. The polymeric coating may be an admixture in powdered form, a super absorbent polymer (insoluble in water, but absorbing water), or another polymer such as the acrylamides, co-polymers thereof, polyacrylamides, or the like (soluble in water). The coating absorbs water, but particles are too small to form significant voids. Water is absorbed into the concrete mix in far greater proportions (e.g. w/c ratio over 0.5) improving workability, doubling workability time, and improving ultimate compressive stress (strength).