A joining material used for joining side surfaces of a plurality of silicon carbide-based honeycomb segments to each other to produce a silicon carbide-based honeycomb structure. The joining material contains from 0.1 to 50% by mass of processed powder generated in the production of the silicon carbide-based honeycomb segments and/or the silicon carbide-based honeycomb structure. The joining material has an average particle diameter D50 of from 0.5 to 60 μm.

A geosynthetic clay liner (GCL). The GCL may include a substrate layer, a bentonite layer applied onto the substrate layer, and a water-soluble polymer suspended in a non-aqueous medium and spray-applied over the bentonite layer.

A method of preparing a unique foundry premix composition that has a low bulk density of 30-45 lbs/ft.sup.3 and contains fine particles with an average particle size of 85-100 μm is described. The unique foundry premix composition is produced by using specially designed assemblies of mechanical equipment with improved efficiency so that the premix can be prepared at a site closer to a foundry. As a result, increase in premix density caused by handling and shipping across a long distance from a traditional premix manufacturing facility to a foundry can be suppressed; transportation cost can be saved; and safety would be of less concern. The use of the foundry premix composition to prepare a sand molding medium for casting molded articles is also described.

A method of preparing a unique foundry premix composition that has a low bulk density of 30-45 lbs/ft.sup.3 and contains fine particles with an average particle size of 85-100 μm is described. The unique foundry premix composition is produced by using specially designed assemblies of mechanical equipment with improved efficiency so that the premix can be prepared at a site closer to a foundry. As a result, increase in premix density caused by handling and shipping across a long distance from a traditional premix manufacturing facility to a foundry can be suppressed; transportation cost can be saved; and safety would be of less concern. The use of the foundry premix composition to prepare a sand molding medium for casting molded articles is also described.

The invention relates to a cement powder blend comprising, based on total weight 45-90 wt. % non-Portland cement; 5-30 wt. % polyvinylalcohol; the blend having a content of 0-25 wt. % siliceous fly ash; and 0-25 wt. % limestone, preferably polyvinylalcohol having a size distribution with D.sub.10=170-270 μm, D.sub.50=370-450 μm, D.sub.90=690-850 μm and D.sub.100=1000-1300 μm. Further the invention relates to concrete composed of a blend according to the invention and aggregate.

A method for producing a decorated mineral composite body, a decorated mineral composite body and the use of a multilayer film for producing a decorated mineral composite body.

An additive for producing a hardenable building material, especially a mineral composition comprising clays, comprising or consisting of: a) a dispersing agent, selected from aluminates, aluminate precursors, phosphates, silicates and/or polyacrylates, which is capable of dispersing clay particles in an aqueous slurry, and b) a coagulating agent, selected from salts of divalent metal cations, preferably salts of alkaline earth metals and/or iron, especially magnesium, calcium and/or iron salts, capable of causing clay particles to agglomerate in a aqueous slurry.

An additive for producing a hardenable building material, especially a mineral composition comprising clays, comprising or consisting of: a) a dispersing agent, selected from aluminates, aluminate precursors, phosphates, silicates and/or polyacrylates, which is capable of dispersing clay particles in an aqueous slurry, and b) a coagulating agent, selected from salts of divalent metal cations, preferably salts of alkaline earth metals and/or iron, especially magnesium, calcium and/or iron salts, capable of causing clay particles to agglomerate in a aqueous slurry.

The invention relates to a method (100) for selecting the composition of a construction material including an excavated clay soil, said construction material composition to include deflocculating agent and activating agent quantities adapted to the excavated clay soil, said method including a step of receiving (130) a measured value of at least one physicochemical property of an excavated clay soil, and a step of selecting (170) a deflocculating agent quantity and an activating agent quantity adapted to the excavated clay soil. In addition, the invention also relates to a method (200) for calibrating a calculation algorithm for determining the composition of a site construction material, to a construction material formed from an excavated clay soil, and to a system (400) for preparing a construction material including an excavated clay soil.

The present invention relates to an additive for hydraulically setting compositions comprising a colloidally disperse preparation comprising at least one salt of a polyvalent metal cation with at least one organic phosphonate and/or phosphate compound as anion and at least one polymeric dispersant comprising anionic and/or anionogenic groups and polyether side chains. The additive is especially suitable as slump retainer and for improving early strength.