A radiation shield unit, which shields against neutron rays, X-rays, and γ-rays, contains 10 vol % or more and 90 vol % or less of gadolinium.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the manufacture of pigmented solids structures for which can be used for construction and/or decoration. Manufacturing comprises fixing one or more pigments to an aggregate material such as crushed rock, stone or sand. The pigmented aggregate is incubated with urease or urease producing microorganisms, an amount of a nitrogen source such as urea, and an amount of calcium source such as calcium chloride forming calcite bridges between particles of aggregate. The resulting solid has a hardness and colorfastness for most any construction material. Using selected aggregate and pigment, the process also provides for the manufacture of simulated-stone materials such as clay or granite bricks or blocks, marble counter-tops, and more. The invention is also directed to composition containing microorganisms and pigment as kits that can be added to most any aggregate materials.

A no bake process is provided for preparing a foundry shape. A major amount of an appropriate foundry aggregate, especially a sand that has been mechanically-reclaimed, is mixed with an amount of halloysite tubes. A binder system, especially a water-based binder, such as an aqueous alkaline phenolic resole resin, is added to the mixed aggregate and halloysite, and a liquid co-reactant for curing the binder is also added. By intimately mixing the components, a foundry molding compound is formed and it can be placed into a mold or patter to cure into a foundry shape. When removed from the mold or pattern, the foundry shape can be used to cast molten metal.

Disclosed is a concrete product incorporating rubber aggregate produced by casting under pressure. The concrete product may optionally be cast at 6.9-27.7 MPa for periods of, for example, 24 hours. In one embodiment the rubber aggregate may comprise coarse and/or fine rubber aggregate to replace natural sources of coarse and fine aggregate. Casting under pressure was found to generally improve the performance characteristics of the concrete when compared to corresponding concrete cast without pressure.

Compositions and a method for making self consolidating grouts containing fly ash, ground granulated blast slag, and lime are described. No polymeric admixtures are utilized, and the 28 day cure strength of the cured gouts exceeds the minimum ASTM standards. The uncured grout exhibits slump flows between 24 and 30″ without visible segregation of the components.

Compositions and a method for making self consolidating grouts containing fly ash, ground granulated blast slag, and lime are described. No polymeric admixtures are utilized, and the 28 day cure strength of the cured gouts exceeds the minimum ASTM standards. The uncured grout exhibits slump flows between 24 and 30″ without visible segregation of the components.

A particle and a composition including a plurality of particles are provided, wherein the particles are platelets exhibiting a planar geometry which is circular or which is made up of a number (x) of planar (y)-sided polygon(s), wherein x is from 1 to 20 and y is at least 3 wherein if x is greater than 1 then said planar (y)-sided polygons are fused along one or more sides thereof, wherein the width (W.sub.P) of the platelets (P) at their widest point is no more than about 250 pm and the thickness of the platelets (P) is in the range of 10 nm to 50 nm.

An aqueous coating composition capable of providing coating films with balanced properties of low gloss, high clarity, and good water resistance and alcohol resistance, and a process of making and using such aqueous coating composition.

A colored cementitious composition is provided that is composed of hydraulic cement and a liquid coloring suspension. The liquid coloring suspension for cementitious compositions contains polycarboxylate dispersant, pigment, and a polysaccharide thixotropic additive. The liquid coloring suspension has improved viscosity consistency, improved shelf-life, anti-settling and anti-sludging properties, and decreased polycarboxylate dispersant requirements.