Method for the production of granulate materials designed to be used for manufacturing articles in slab or block form from a mixture. The method comprises the steps of a) melting a mixture of selected minerals having a specific chemical composition for obtaining a casting of molten material, c) cooling the cast material until a predetermined temperature is reached and d) crushing and/or grinding the material to obtain granules having a selected grain size and suitable for use respectively as aggregates or fillers in the mixture for manufacture of the articles. Moreover, the method comprises, downstream of the melting and casting step a), a step b) of keeping the molten and cooled material at a temperature of between 1030-1170° C. for a predetermined time period of at least 15 minutes. The granulate materials thus obtained have a content of silicon dioxide in crystalline form of less than 1%. The invention also relates to a plant for the production of granulate materials suitable for use as aggregates or fillers for the manufacture of articles in slab or block form.

An ultra-white granular silica-based filler comprises at least 99.5 wt. % silica, wherein the crystal structure of the silica is such that the silica-based filler comprises 40 to 80 wt. % cristobalite, 1 to 25 wt. % tridymite, 2-60 wt. % quartz and <5 wt. % amorphous silica, wherein the temperature of the ultra-white granular silica-based filler is no higher than 50° C. and further wherein the ultra-white granular silica-based filler exhibits an L* value in the CIELAB color space of 95-98. In addition, an ultra-white powder filler is obtained by milling, grinding or comminuting the ultra-white granular silica-based filler. The ultra-white powder filler exhibits an L* value in the CIELAB color space of 95-98.5.

A building panel structure is disclosed, in which building panels are used to form a structure. Roof panels and roof panel tiles are disclosed, which can be used to form the roof of the structure. The roof panels and the building panels include a core and a coating covering a portion of the core. In some embodiments the core consists of a frame and at least one insulating structural block. The insulating structural blocks can be encapsulated polystyrene (EPS) foam blocks. In some embodiments the coating includes ceramic material. In some embodiments the coating includes a first layer and a second layer. In some embodiments the coating is used to retrofit existing wall structures. The roof panel and the roof tile can be shaped, formed, and colored to look like traditional roof tiles such as shake roof tiles or Spanish roof tiles.

The present disclosure is related to a method for manufacturing slabs of artificial agglomerated stone comprising: depositing a first layer (1.1) of a first mixture (M.sub.1) onto a surface (2), wherein the first layer having a first thickness h.sub.1, creating at least one cavity (3), having a width w.sub.i and a length L.sub.i, in the first layer (1.1) of first mixture (M.sub.1), depositing a second mixture (M.sub.2) into the at least one cavity (3) of the first layer (1.1), forming a second layer (1.2) by depositing the first and second mixtures, and the second layer having a second thickness h.sub.2, compacting and hardening the second layer (1.2), wherein the method further comprises after step c) and before step d), inserting a first tool (5) at least partially into the second thickness h.sub.2 of the second layer (1.2), and actuating the first tool (5) wherein the first tool (5) is configured to stir the first wall portion (4.1) while not stirring the second wall portion (4.2).

A method for enhancing optical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. The porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body is treated with an yttrium-containing composition and sintered, resulting in sintered ceramic bodies having enhanced optical properties. The enhanced optical properties may be substantially permanent, remaining for the useful life of the sintered ceramic body.

The present disclosure relates to roofing granules, such as solar-reflective roofing granules having one or more of low crystalline silica content, high stain resistance and algae resistance. The present disclosure provides a mineral roofing granule having at its mineral outer surface a first fired mixture comprising an aluminosilicate clay, the first fired material having no more than 2 wt % crystalline silica. The present disclosure also provides a mineral roofing granule having a mineral body and a mineral outer surface, the mineral roofing granule having at its mineral outer surface a first fired material, the first fired material being a first fired mixture comprising an aluminosilicate clay; one or more of a feldspar, a sodium silicate and a nepheline syenite; and, optionally, a zinc source.

High SRI cementitious systems comprising integral concrete coloring admixtures, toppings, dry-shake hardeners, and other cementitious systems are provided. The high-SRI cementitious systems comprise one or more IR reflective pigments and other components to make-up the cementitious system, depending on the application. The high-SRI cementitious systems of the invention may be in the form of mixtures which increase the total solar reflectivity (TSR or albedo) and the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of concrete. The high-SRI cementitious systems may be toppings mixed with water for application to existing concrete surfaces, dry-shake hardeners for application to freshly-placed plastic concrete, or the IR reflective pigments may be mixed into integrally colored concrete in various forms, such as conventional cast-in-place concrete, lightweight concrete, pervious concrete and concrete building panels, pavers or masonry units.

The invention relates to a process of selectively treating parts of the surface of a porous dental ceramic comprising the steps of a) providing a composition and a porous dental ceramic having an outer surface, b) applying the composition to only a part of the outer surface of the porous dental ceramic, c) optionally drying the porous dental ceramic, and d) optionally firing the porous dental ceramic, wherein the composition comprises—a liquid being miscible with water, but not being water, —a whitening agent comprising nano-sized metal oxide particles, metal ion containing components or mixtures thereof which precipitate if the composition is adjusted to a pH above 5, —acid, complexing agent or mixture thereof. The invention also relates to a dental ceramic article obtainable by a process.

A method for enhancing optical properties of sintered, zirconia ceramic bodies and zirconia ceramic dental restorations is provided. The porous or pre-sintered stage of a ceramic body is treated with two different yttrium-containing compositions and sintered, resulting in sintered ceramic bodies having enhanced optical properties. The enhanced optical properties may be substantially permanent, remaining for the useful life of the sintered ceramic body.

To provide a liquid for improving translucency for dental zirconia calcined body which may impart high translucency which is similar to an enamel of a natural tooth to a zirconia sintered body and a method for using thereof.

The liquid for improving translucency for dental zirconia calcined body of the present disclosure contains a solvent and an indium compound, wherein a content of the indium compound based on the total amount of the liquid improving translucency for dental zirconia calcined body is within a range of 2.0 wt. % to 20.0 wt. % in terms of indium.