A composition comprising at least one binder coated with at least one metallate additive according to formula 1: (RO).sub.m-M-(O.sub.a˜X.sub.b˜R′.sub.c˜Y.sub.d).sub.n (formula 1), wherein M is one of titanium and zirconium. The composition is particularly useful in producing treated binders and construction materials, wherein the resulting treated binders and construction materials have advantageous properties, such as increased strength. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the inventive composition, treated binders and construction materials.

A composition comprising at least one binder coated with at least one metallate additive according to formula 1: (RO).sub.m-M-(O.sub.a˜X.sub.b˜R′.sub.c˜Y.sub.d).sub.n (formula 1), wherein M is one of titanium and zirconium. The composition is particularly useful in producing treated binders and construction materials, wherein the resulting treated binders and construction materials have advantageous properties, such as increased strength. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the inventive composition, treated binders and construction materials.

Granules for a roof coating, wherein said granules comprise particles that have a coating, wherein said coating comprises at least one layer of an inorganic powder in a binder, wherein said inorganic powder has a d50 grain size of from 0.5 to 25 μm, and wherein a hydrophobizing and/or oleophobizing agent is present on said coating.

A method for production of coated mineral grit for the manufacture of coating elements with a bituminous support, or with a support comprising a vinyl or acrylic adhesive, for roofing of buildings, the method includes: adding rough mineral grit to a mixer together with a first treatment mixture; mixing the rough mineral grit and the first treatment mixture until a coated mineral grit is obtained; heating the coated mineral grit to a predetermined firing temperature (Tc); and after heating the coated mineral grit, cooling the coated mineral grit to a predetermined intermediate cooling temperature (Tri). The first treatment mixture comprises: water; at least one pigment; at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate and potassium silicate; kaolin; and at least one selected from the group consisting of an organo-siloxane and an organo-silane.

A method for production of coated mineral grit for the manufacture of coating elements with a bituminous support, or with a support comprising a vinyl or acrylic adhesive, for roofing of buildings, the method includes: adding rough mineral grit to a mixer together with a first treatment mixture; mixing the rough mineral grit and the first treatment mixture until a coated mineral grit is obtained; heating the coated mineral grit to a predetermined firing temperature (Tc); and after heating the coated mineral grit, cooling the coated mineral grit to a predetermined intermediate cooling temperature (Tri). The first treatment mixture comprises: water; at least one pigment; at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate and potassium silicate; kaolin; and at least one selected from the group consisting of an organo-siloxane and an organo-silane.

Methods for increasing the hardness of aggregate include applying a hardener to the aggregate. The hardener may react with a material of the aggregate and/or a material on a surface of the aggregate. For example, an alkali metal silicate, such as lithium polysilicate, or a colloidal silica may chemically react with calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide of an aggregate or on an aggregate to create cementitious material, which may at least partially fill pores in the surface of the aggregate, harden an existing microtexture of the aggregate and/or enhance the microtexture of the aggregate. These characteristics may enhance frictional characteristics, the wear characteristics and the durability of the aggregate, and of any structures formed from composite materials that include the aggregate.

Methods for increasing the hardness of aggregate include applying a hardener to the aggregate. The hardener may react with a material of the aggregate and/or a material on a surface of the aggregate. For example, an alkali metal silicate, such as lithium polysilicate, or a colloidal silica may chemically react with calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide of an aggregate or on an aggregate to create cementitious material, which may at least partially fill pores in the surface of the aggregate, harden an existing microtexture of the aggregate and/or enhance the microtexture of the aggregate. These characteristics may enhance frictional characteristics, the wear characteristics and the durability of the aggregate, and of any structures formed from composite materials that include the aggregate.

Methods for increasing the hardness of aggregate include applying a hardener to the aggregate. The hardener may react with a material of the aggregate and/or a material on a surface of the aggregate. For example, an alkali metal silicate, such as lithium polysilicate, or a colloidal silica may chemically react with calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide of an aggregate or on an aggregate to create cementitious material, which may at least partially fill pores in the surface of the aggregate, harden an existing microtexture of the aggregate and/or enhance the microtexture of the aggregate. These characteristics may enhance frictional characteristics, the wear characteristics and the durability of the aggregate, and of any structures formed from composite materials that include the aggregate.

A method of producing a nanosilica-containing cement formulation, the method comprising the steps of mixing an amount of a determinant nanosilica particle and a functional coating; applying a dynamic initiator to trigger a reversible reaction of the functional coating to produce a reversible cage, where the reversible cage surrounds the determinant nanosilica particle to produce an encapsulated nanosilica; and mixing the encapsulated nanosilica and a cement formulation to produce the nanosilica-containing cement formulation

A method of producing a nanosilica-containing cement formulation, the method comprising the steps of mixing an amount of a determinant nanosilica particle and a functional coating; applying a dynamic initiator to trigger a reversible reaction of the functional coating to produce a reversible cage, where the reversible cage surrounds the determinant nanosilica particle to produce an encapsulated nanosilica; and mixing the encapsulated nanosilica and a cement formulation to produce the nanosilica-containing cement formulation