A transition fluid comprises: a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the external phase of the transition fluid; an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the internal phase of the transition fluid and wherein the aqueous liquid comprises a water-soluble salt; and a calcium aluminate cement. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the transition fluid into the subterranean formation; and introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the step of introducing the cement composition is performed after the step of introducing the transition fluid and wherein the cement composition comprises cement and water.

A transition fluid comprises: a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the external phase of the transition fluid; an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the internal phase of the transition fluid and wherein the aqueous liquid comprises a water-soluble salt; and a calcium aluminate cement. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the transition fluid into the subterranean formation; and introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the step of introducing the cement composition is performed after the step of introducing the transition fluid and wherein the cement composition comprises cement and water.

Polyurethane composites and methods of preparation are described herein. The polyurethane composites can comprise (a) a polyurethane formed by the reaction of (i) one or more isocyanates selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, polyisocyanates, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) one or more polyols, (b) a particulate filler having a bulk density of 1 g/cm.sup.3 or greater, (c) optionally a fiber material, and (d) a lightweight filler having a bulk density from 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 to less than 1 g/cm.sup.3. In some examples, the lightweight filler can be selected from expanded perlite, expanded clay, foamed glass, and combinations thereof. Articles such as building materials comprising the polyurethane composites are also disclosed.

Polyurethane composites and methods of preparation are described herein. The polyurethane composites can comprise (a) a polyurethane formed by the reaction of (i) one or more isocyanates selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, polyisocyanates, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) one or more polyols, (b) a particulate filler having a bulk density of 1 g/cm.sup.3 or greater, (c) optionally a fiber material, and (d) a lightweight filler having a bulk density from 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 to less than 1 g/cm.sup.3. In some examples, the lightweight filler can be selected from expanded perlite, expanded clay, foamed glass, and combinations thereof. Articles such as building materials comprising the polyurethane composites are also disclosed.

Functionalized microspheres for being dispersed in matrix materials to reduce the density and weight of the materials may be configured to include a covalently bound surface component which is configured to covalently bond with the matrix material so that when combined with the matrix material a strong, light-weight matrix material may be produced.

Functionalized microspheres for being dispersed in matrix materials to reduce the density and weight of the materials may be configured to include a covalently bound surface component which is configured to covalently bond with the matrix material so that when combined with the matrix material a strong, light-weight matrix material may be produced.

A terrazzo composition containing a resin component; a hardener component; and an aggregate component, where the composition has a tensile strength of about 8500 psi to about 8900 psi, a compressive strength of about 2600 psi to about 3000 psi, a Shore D Hardness of about 50 to about 100, and a weight of about 0.60 pounds per square foot at 0.25 inch thickness to about 0.76 pounds per square foot at 0.25 inch thickness.

A terrazzo composition containing a resin component; a hardener component; and an aggregate component, where the composition has a tensile strength of about 8500 psi to about 8900 psi, a compressive strength of about 2600 psi to about 3000 psi, a Shore D Hardness of about 50 to about 100, and a weight of about 0.60 pounds per square foot at 0.25 inch thickness to about 0.76 pounds per square foot at 0.25 inch thickness.

Cementitious compositions and methods for preparing and using the cementitious compositions to yield hardened concrete. The cementitious compositions yield hardened concrete having reduced or attenuated water vapor emission and lower internal relative humidity (IRH). Cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of rapid surface drying while maintaining good workability, particularly when using porous lightweight aggregates that absorb substantial amounts of water. Methods of decreasing water availability and increasing surface drying of concrete, including lightweight concrete, are provided. A water soluble ionic salt may be used to sequester water within the pores and capillaries of the cement paste and/or porous lightweight aggreate by modifying the colligative propertie of pore water. The salt may be added directly to concrete or the concrete mix water, or, alternatively, aggregates may be infused with a water-salt solution to provide treated porous aggregates having improved water saturation and water retention.

Cementitious compositions and methods for preparing and using the cementitious compositions to yield hardened concrete. The cementitious compositions yield hardened concrete having reduced or attenuated water vapor emission and lower internal relative humidity (IRH). Cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of rapid surface drying while maintaining good workability, particularly when using porous lightweight aggregates that absorb substantial amounts of water. Methods of decreasing water availability and increasing surface drying of concrete, including lightweight concrete, are provided. A water soluble ionic salt may be used to sequester water within the pores and capillaries of the cement paste and/or porous lightweight aggreate by modifying the colligative propertie of pore water. The salt may be added directly to concrete or the concrete mix water, or, alternatively, aggregates may be infused with a water-salt solution to provide treated porous aggregates having improved water saturation and water retention.