A gypsum board according to the invention comprises calcium sulphate dihydrate; Tartaric acid in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 0.1% w based on the weight of calcium sulphate hemihydrate; A fluidizer in an amount of 1.0 to 10.0 kg/m.sup.3; Starch in an amount of 3.0 to 12.0 kg/m.sup.3.

A gypsum board according to the invention comprises calcium sulphate dihydrate; Tartaric acid in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 0.1% w based on the weight of calcium sulphate hemihydrate; A fluidizer in an amount of 1.0 to 10.0 kg/m.sup.3; Starch in an amount of 3.0 to 12.0 kg/m.sup.3.

Disclosed is a foam modifier, e.g., useful for gypsum or cement slurries. The foam modifier comprises a fatty alcohol that is added to a gypsum or cement slurry that includes foaming agent, such as an alkyl sulfate surfactant. The fatty alcohol can be a C.sub.6-C.sub.16 fatty alcohol in some embodiments. The use of such a foam modifier can be used, for example, to stabilize the foam, reduce waste of foaming agent, improve void size control in the final product, and improve the gypsum board manufacturing process.

Disclosed is a foam modifier, e.g., useful for gypsum or cement slurries. The foam modifier comprises a fatty alcohol that is added to a gypsum or cement slurry that includes foaming agent, such as an alkyl sulfate surfactant. The fatty alcohol can be a C.sub.6-C.sub.16 fatty alcohol in some embodiments. The use of such a foam modifier can be used, for example, to stabilize the foam, reduce waste of foaming agent, improve void size control in the final product, and improve the gypsum board manufacturing process.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a foam ceramic comprising the steps: producing an aqueous suspension of a first mineral raw material; foaming the suspension with air while adding a foaming agent and a binder to form a light foam; mixing the light foam with a powder or slip of a second ceramic raw material to form a heavy foam; pouring the heavy foam into a mold; drying the molded heavy foam in the mold to form a solid foam; and firing the solid foam in the mold to form the foam ceramic.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a foam ceramic comprising the steps: producing an aqueous suspension of a first mineral raw material; foaming the suspension with air while adding a foaming agent and a binder to form a light foam; mixing the light foam with a powder or slip of a second ceramic raw material to form a heavy foam; pouring the heavy foam into a mold; drying the molded heavy foam in the mold to form a solid foam; and firing the solid foam in the mold to form the foam ceramic.

A reduced weight, reduced density gypsum panel that includes high expansion vermiculite with fire resistance capabilities that are at least comparable to (if not better than) commercial fire rated gypsum panels with a much greater gypsum content, weight and density.

A reduced weight, reduced density gypsum panel that includes high expansion vermiculite with fire resistance capabilities that are at least comparable to (if not better than) commercial fire rated gypsum panels with a much greater gypsum content, weight and density.

Foamed fiber compositions and processes of making said compositions. Compositions include a hydraulic mixture including (i) a polymer and (ii) one or more of gypsum, fly ash, and cement; and a foam including a foaming agent, a foam stabilizer, and 0.5-35% fibers by weight. The process for forming the foamed fiber composition includes providing a stable foam including a foaming agent and a foam stabilizer; mixing fibers into the stable foam until the fibers are uniformly distributed in the foam to form a fiber-containing foam, wherein the fiber-containing aqueous foam contains 0.5-35% fibers by weight; and mixing the fiber-containing foam into a hydraulic slurry including (i) a polymer and (ii) one or more of gypsum, fly ash, and cement. The composition is suitable for use in roof tiles, underlayments, backerboards, cement composites, foam fills, bricks, cement sidings, etc.

Foamed fiber compositions and processes of making said compositions. Compositions include a hydraulic mixture including (i) a polymer and (ii) one or more of gypsum, fly ash, and cement; and a foam including a foaming agent, a foam stabilizer, and 0.5-35% fibers by weight. The process for forming the foamed fiber composition includes providing a stable foam including a foaming agent and a foam stabilizer; mixing fibers into the stable foam until the fibers are uniformly distributed in the foam to form a fiber-containing foam, wherein the fiber-containing aqueous foam contains 0.5-35% fibers by weight; and mixing the fiber-containing foam into a hydraulic slurry including (i) a polymer and (ii) one or more of gypsum, fly ash, and cement. The composition is suitable for use in roof tiles, underlayments, backerboards, cement composites, foam fills, bricks, cement sidings, etc.