A method for improving the hydrophobic properties of a fiber cement product, said method comprising the steps of: providing a fiber cement product comprising at least one profiled surface; applying a hydrophobation agent to the at least one profiled surface; wherein the obtained fiber cement product has a water take up of less than 1.5 mL after 48 hours as measured by the RILEM Test No 11.4 in horizontal application.

An apparatus including a first device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, slightly pressed slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The first device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first cylinder. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a robotic apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a second device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

An apparatus including a first device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, slightly pressed slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The first device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first cylinder. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a robotic apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a second device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

A process for treating a substrate made of stone material, preferably in the form of slabs, is provided which process improves the mechanical, thermal and catalytic properties of the substrate. The process includes applying a protective coating to the outer surface of the substrate made of stone material and, to improve adhesion of the protective coating to the outer surface of the substrate, preliminarily subjecting the substrate to one or more pre-treatment steps that eliminate or reduce the presence of pollutants and porosity on the surface of the substrate. The pre-treatment of the substrate made of stone material comprises at least one step of treatment under vacuum conditions inside an autoclave, preferably under pressure conditions lower than 10.sup.2 mbar. Then, after having brought the substrate back to ambient pressure, it is possible to apply and effectively adhere the protective coating to the surface of the stone material.

An apparatus including a first device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, slightly pressed slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The first device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first cylinder. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a robotic apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a second device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

An apparatus including a first device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, slightly pressed slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The first device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first cylinder. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a robotic apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a second device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

Acoustical tile including a dried base mat of: about 70 to about 90 wt % mineral wool; about 5 to about 15 wt % perlite; 0 to about 10 wt % starch; about 3 to about 10 wt % latex; 0 to about 5 wt % gypsum; and less than 5 wt % water. The dried base mat without including glass fibers and without a laminate layer or coating and without perforations has a NRC of about 0.70 or greater, a density of about 10 pcf to about 12 pcf, and a thickness of about to about 1 inch. The acoustical tile can further include a back coating at a surface weight of about 5 grams per square foot (gsf) to about 40 gsf to the dried base mat, wherein the acoustical tile has the CAC rating of about 30 to about 35.

An apparatus including a device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, and/or wet slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first lift bar. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a first spray bar having a plurality of nozzles fixed thereto, arranged in a substantially straight line. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.

The present invention relates to a method for impregnating concrete with a non-aqueous electrolyte characterized in that an electric field is applied between electrodes mounted on the concrete surface and/or embedded in the concrete such that the non-aqueous electrolyte migrates into the concrete. Preferably, lithium ions are dissolved in the non-aqueous electrolyte.

An apparatus including a device which moves a first portion of a soft, damp, and/or wet slab out of alignment with a majority of the slab and thus introduces a first crack in the slab; and a device for spraying a first colored material into the first crack of the slab. The device which moves the first portion of the slab out of alignment with the rest of the slab may include a first lift bar. The device for spraying the first colored material in the first crack of the slab may include a first spray bar having a plurality of nozzles fixed thereto, arranged in a substantially straight line. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus may also include a device which moves a second portion of the slab out of alignment with the majority of the slab and thereby introduces a second crack in the slab.