An air-dry clay moldable and workable for sculptural applications, comprising a formulation of: (1) caulk or caulk base material and (2) a thickening agent and/or a detackifier in sufficient proportions to form a clay that can air dry to a substantially solid form at room temperature. The clay may include both a thickening agent and detackifier. The caulk or caulk base material comprises by weight percent: 40-90%, or 50-80%, or 60-75% of the formulated clay.

The present invention relates generally to silicate-based coatings and to methods to make and apply same. In one embodiment, the silicate-coatings of the present invention are formed from a two part mixture of phosphate-based component and a glass-based component. In another embodiment, the silicate-based coatings of the present invention are free from any organic materials.

Disclosed is a composite gypsum board comprising a set gypsum core disposed between face (e.g., Manila) and back (e.g., Newsline) cover sheets. The set gypsum core is formed from a core slurry comprising stucco, water, and optional additives, such as foaming agent, migrating starch, accelerator, retarder, dispersant, etc. A dense layer formed from a dense layer slurry comprising stucco, water, fiber (e.g., paper fiber), and optionally, strength-enhancing starch, is disposed between the core and the face paper. The dense layer slurry contains a greater concentration of fiber, and optionally, strength-enhancing starch, than the core slurry, but the concentration of one or more other additives (e.g., accelerator, retarder, dispersant, or combinations thereof) is lower or the same in the dense slurry as compared with the core slurry. Also disclosed is a method of making board using one board mixer. In embodiments, paper fiber is added to water to form a suspension. The suspension is introduced, while in a non-laminar state, into the dense slurry. Further disclosed is apparatus, such as an extractor and an additive injection system, which can be a part of a cementitious slurry mixing and dispensing assembly.

Disclosed is a composite gypsum board comprising a set gypsum core disposed between face (e.g., Manila) and back (e.g., Newsline) cover sheets. The set gypsum core is formed from a core slurry comprising stucco, water, and optional additives, such as foaming agent, migrating starch, accelerator, retarder, dispersant, etc. A dense layer formed from a dense layer slurry comprising stucco, water, fiber (e.g., paper fiber), and optionally, strength-enhancing starch, is disposed between the core and the face paper. The dense layer slurry contains a greater concentration of fiber, and optionally, strength-enhancing starch, than the core slurry, but the concentration of one or more other additives (e.g., accelerator, retarder, dispersant, or combinations thereof) is lower or the same in the dense slurry as compared with the core slurry. Also disclosed is a method of making board using one board mixer. In embodiments, paper fiber is added to water to form a suspension. The suspension is introduced, while in a non-laminar state, into the dense slurry. Further disclosed is apparatus, such as an extractor and an additive injection system, which can be a part of a cementitious slurry mixing and dispensing assembly.

The present invention relates to calcium-containing, porous, mineral materials having a sulfate content of not more than 1.5% by weight and a biopolymer content in the range of 0.001 to 5.00% by weight, each relative to the total weight of the materials, a method for producing these materials with the aid of biopolymers as stabilizers and the use of biopolymers for producing sulfate-poor calcium-containing, porous, mineral materials.

The present invention relates to calcium-containing, porous, mineral materials having a sulfate content of not more than 1.5% by weight and a biopolymer content in the range of 0.001 to 5.00% by weight, each relative to the total weight of the materials, a method for producing these materials with the aid of biopolymers as stabilizers and the use of biopolymers for producing sulfate-poor calcium-containing, porous, mineral materials.

The present invention relates to calcium-containing, porous, mineral materials having a sulfate content of not more than 1.5% by weight and a biopolymer content in the range of 0.001 to 5.00% by weight, each relative to the total weight of the materials, a method for producing these materials with the aid of biopolymers as stabilizers and the use of biopolymers for producing sulfate-poor calcium-containing, porous, mineral materials.

Gypsum board having improved performance is obtained by controlling the distribution of starch in the gypsum core of the board and the gelling temperature of the starch. Starch migration in the board is controlled by the degree of acid-modification, to adjust the starch viscosity profile. The starch gelling temperature is controlled by chemical modification of the starch —OH groups.

Gypsum board having improved performance is obtained by controlling the distribution of starch in the gypsum core of the board and the gelling temperature of the starch. Starch migration in the board is controlled by the degree of acid-modification, to adjust the starch viscosity profile. The starch gelling temperature is controlled by chemical modification of the starch —OH groups.

Gypsum board having improved performance is obtained by controlling the distribution of starch in the gypsum core of the board and the gelling temperature of the starch. Starch migration in the board is controlled by the degree of acid-modification, to adjust the starch viscosity profile. The starch gelling temperature is controlled by chemical modification of the starch —OH groups.