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.

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.

A foaming agent is used for foaming a building material binder paste or a building material slurry for producing porous lightweight-construction and insulating materials. On curing of the foamed slurry, the foam bubbles generate pores in the building material. The foam obtained from the foaming agent is stabilized using a long-chain or medium-chain polycarboxylate ether (PCE). The foaming agent includes a foam-forming ionic surfactant component, at least one fatty alcohol and at least one PCE in an aqueous-organic solvent which is selected from the group of alkyl glycols, alkylene glycols up to C6 alkyl, diglycols and diglycol ethers, and also, optionally, up to a maximum of 20 wt %, based on the mixture, of further ingredients.

A foaming agent is used for foaming a building material binder paste or a building material slurry for producing porous lightweight-construction and insulating materials. On curing of the foamed slurry, the foam bubbles generate pores in the building material. The foam obtained from the foaming agent is stabilized using a long-chain or medium-chain polycarboxylate ether (PCE). The foaming agent includes a foam-forming ionic surfactant component, at least one fatty alcohol and at least one PCE in an aqueous-organic solvent which is selected from the group of alkyl glycols, alkylene glycols up to C6 alkyl, diglycols and diglycol ethers, and also, optionally, up to a maximum of 20 wt %, based on the mixture, of further ingredients.

A foamed colloidal silica binder having a total porosity of about 50% to about 95% by volume includes a synthetic, non-protein foaming agent mixed with colloidal silica and water. The foamed colloidal silica binder has sufficient durability and integrity to withstand the mixing with dry refractory ingredients to form a porous refractory composition, casting the refractory composition into a refractory shape, and drying the shape to form a porous refractory article having a porosity of about 25% to about 75% by volume. The resulting refractory articles have excellent high-temperature durability and insulating properties. A method of making the foamed colloidal silica binder is also provided.

A fire-resistant gypsum panel comprises: a gypsum core layer comprising set gypsum and a high temperature sag-resistant material including mineral wool in an amount between 0.2% and 3.0% by weight of gypsum.

A fire-resistant gypsum panel comprises: a gypsum core layer comprising set gypsum and a high temperature sag-resistant material including mineral wool in an amount between 0.2% and 3.0% by weight of gypsum.

This disclosure provides products useful as construction materials and containing set gypsum and ammonium-exchanged vermiculite, including a gypsum panel having a gypsum core comprising set gypsum and ammonium-exchanged vermiculite and characterized by decreased heat shrinkage and increased resistance to fire damage in comparison to the gypsum panel that comprises vermiculite that has not been ammonium-exchanged. The disclosure further relates to methods for producing the gypsum panel and constructing building assemblies with the gypsum panels, including walls and ceilings.