A porous body is provided with enhanced fluid transport properties that is capable of performing or facilitating separations, or performing reactions and/or providing areas for such separations or reactions to take place. The porous body includes at least 80 percent alpha alumina and has a pore volume from 0.3 mL/g to 1.2 mL/g and a surface area from 0.3 m.sup.2/g to 3.0 m.sup.2/g. The porous body further includes a pore architecture that provides at least one of a tortuosity of 7.0 or less, a constriction of 4.0 or less and a permeability of 30 mdarcys or greater. The porous body can be used in a wide variety of applications such as, for example, as a filter, as a membrane or as a catalyst carrier.

A porous body is provided with enhanced fluid transport properties that is capable of performing or facilitating separations, or performing reactions and/or providing areas for such separations or reactions to take place. The porous body includes at least 80 percent alpha alumina and has a pore volume from 0.3 mL/g to 1.2 mL/g and a surface area from 0.3 m.sup.2/g to 3.0 m.sup.2/g. The porous body further includes a pore architecture that provides at least one of a tortuosity of 7.0 or less, a constriction of 4.0 or less and a permeability of 30 mdarcys or greater. The porous body can be used in a wide variety of applications such as, for example, as a filter, as a membrane or as a catalyst carrier.

A porous body is provided with enhanced fluid transport properties that is capable of performing or facilitating separations, or performing reactions and/or providing areas for such separations or reactions to take place. The porous body includes at least 80 percent alpha alumina and has a pore volume from 0.3 mL/g to 1.2 mL/g and a surface area from 0.3 m.sup.2/g to 3.0 m.sup.2/g. The porous body further includes a pore architecture that provides at least one of a tortuosity of 7.0 or less, a constriction of 4.0 or less and a permeability of 30 mdarcys or greater. The porous body can be used in a wide variety of applications such as, for example, as a filter, as a membrane or as a catalyst carrier.

What are described are a process for producing an insulating product for the refractory industry or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product, and a corresponding insulating material/insulating product. Likewise described are the use of a matrix encapsulation process in the production of an insulating product for the refractory industry and a corresponding insulating product and/or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product.

What are described are a process for producing an insulating product for the refractory industry or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product, and a corresponding insulating material/insulating product. Likewise described are the use of a matrix encapsulation process in the production of an insulating product for the refractory industry and a corresponding insulating product and/or an insulating material as intermediate for production of such a product.

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 method of manufacturing a cementitious composition comprising: dispersing expanded polymeric microspheres into a liquid dispersion, optionally wherein the liquid dispersion comprises an aqueous dispersion; and incorporating the liquid dispersion comprising expanded polymeric microspheres into the cementitious composition; wherein the expanded polymeric microspheres are present in the liquid dispersion in an amount of about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion, prior to incorporation into the cementitious composition. An admixture for cementitious compositions comprising unexpanded polymeric microspheres and sodium hydroxide.

A method of manufacturing a cementitious composition comprising: dispersing expanded polymeric microspheres into a liquid dispersion, optionally wherein the liquid dispersion comprises an aqueous dispersion; and incorporating the liquid dispersion comprising expanded polymeric microspheres into the cementitious composition; wherein the expanded polymeric microspheres are present in the liquid dispersion in an amount of about 0.1 to about 15 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the dispersion, prior to incorporation into the cementitious composition. An admixture for cementitious compositions comprising unexpanded polymeric microspheres and sodium hydroxide.

An ultra-stable structural laminate with fire resistance and a lateral nail pull strength from 44 to 300 pounds of force and an insulation R value from 1 to 40, the ultra-stable structural laminate of a cementious material with a nano-molecular veneer and a foam component catalytically reacted into an expanded closed cell foam having a thickness from .sup.th inch to 8 inches, a density from 1.5 pounds/cubic foot to 3 pounds/cubic foot that self-adheres to the cementitious material forming an ultra-stable structural laminate with fire resistance and a lateral nail pull strength from 44 pounds to 300 pounds of force, an insulation R value from 1 to 40, a resistance to seismic impact for earthquakes over 3.1 on the Richter Scale, a break point from 7 lbs/inch to 100 lbs/inch; and a resistance to wind shear equivalent to a 15 mph downburst.