The present invention provides dry mixes for skim coat mortars having improved pot life and workability while reducing cellulose ether dosage comprising a white cement, one or more fillers having a sieve average particle size of from 15 to 60 microns, from 0.25 to 0.5 wt. % of one or more gel-like crosslinked cellulose ethers containing polyether groups, preferably, a mixed cellulose ether having polyoxypropylene dioxyethylene ether crosslinks, and from 1 to 2.5 wt. % of one or more polymer redispersible powders (RDP). At least one gel-like crosslinked cellulose ether has a crossover point as measured by oscillation rheometry, at which storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) intersect and are identical, of 1.0ω or less. The present invention also provides methods of using the dry mixes.

Vinyl acetate-ethylene and/or styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymers along with processes for preparing the same and uses for the same. Wherein the vinyl acetate-ethylene and/or styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymers are in the form of water-redispersible powders for producing hydraulically-setting building material dry formulations. Where the storage stability of the protective-colloid-stabilized vinyl acetate-ethylene or styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymers in the form of water-redispersible powders is improved by drying aqueous dispersions comprising protective-colloid-stabilized vinyl acetate-ethylene and/or styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymers, one or more water-soluble inorganic salts, and one or more desiccants. Where the water-soluble inorganic salts are selected from the group consisting of alkali metal sulfates and where the desiccants are selected from the group comprising polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl acetals, nonionic polyvinylpyrrolidones, nonionic poly(meth)acrylamides, polysaccharides and proteins.

A fire insulation precursor material formed of cement, in an amount of between 10-30% w/w; and an aluminium or magnesium hydroxide, huntite or hydromagnesite in an amount of between 60-90% w/w/. A fire insulation material is provided including the previously mentioned precursor material. Further described are methods of forming a fire insulation material and applications for such material in sheaths, duct coatings, cable trays and other elongate components.

A fire insulation precursor material formed of cement, in an amount of between 10-30% w/w; and an aluminium or magnesium hydroxide, huntite or hydromagnesite in an amount of between 60-90% w/w/. A fire insulation material is provided including the previously mentioned precursor material. Further described are methods of forming a fire insulation material and applications for such material in sheaths, duct coatings, cable trays and other elongate components.

A powder adhesive composition having cement, a dispersible polymer powder; and at least 10% volume of the powder adhesive is an expanded perlite. The cement is at a ratio of between 600-1000% of the mass of the expanded perlite. The powder adhesive composition is an adhesive, and the adhesion strength of the adhesive, is over 0.4 MPa, after 28 days, and after water immersion for at least 20 days.

A powder adhesive composition having cement, a dispersible polymer powder; and at least 10% volume of the powder adhesive is an expanded perlite. The cement is at a ratio of between 600-1000% of the mass of the expanded perlite. The powder adhesive composition is an adhesive, and the adhesion strength of the adhesive, is over 0.4 MPa, after 28 days, and after water immersion for at least 20 days.

One inch paver tiles may now be set over a concrete pad for use by vehicular traffic. The method and dry concrete mix may be used to overlay concrete driveways. The paver tiles may be laid over a dry concrete mix comprising a latex polymer, Portland cement, sand and a hydration control agent. After laying the paver tiles in a field over the concrete mix in the dry state, a border of paver tiles or other material may be laid in a wet concrete mix prior to hydrating the field paver tiles. The dry concrete mix cures after hydration to form a strong layer adhering the paver tiles to the concrete pad for use by vehicular traffic.

One inch paver tiles may now be set over a concrete pad for use by vehicular traffic. The method and dry concrete mix may be used to overlay concrete driveways. The paver tiles may be laid over a dry concrete mix comprising a latex polymer, Portland cement, sand and a hydration control agent. After laying the paver tiles in a field over the concrete mix in the dry state, a border of paver tiles or other material may be laid in a wet concrete mix prior to hydrating the field paver tiles. The dry concrete mix cures after hydration to form a strong layer adhering the paver tiles to the concrete pad for use by vehicular traffic.

A mortar composition, in particular for preparing a viscoelastic body or structure, or for for acoustic damping of at least one of a ship, an offshore installation and a building, includes: 1-20 wt % of a hydraulic binder, 30-80 wt % of aggregates, 5-75 wt % of a polymer, and 0.5-40 wt % of a porous filler.

The present invention relates to a water redispersible polymer powder (RDP) which comprises a co-dried admixture of a water-insoluble film forming polymer, a colloidal stabilizer and rubber particles. The presence of rubber within the RDP does not significantly affect redispersibility and may, when incorporated into hydraulically-binding compositions, provide an improvement in the physical properties of the resultant hydraulically bound composition.