A mixture made from or containing T1) from 99 wt % to 75 wt % of bitumen, and T2) from 1 wt % to 25 wt % of a polymer composition made from or containing A) 5-35% by weight of a propylene homopolymer; B) 20-50% by weight of an ethylene homopolymer; and C) 30-60% by weight of a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene, and 1-butene.

A plurality of granules comprising ceramic particles bound together with an inorganic binder, the inorganic binder comprising reaction product of at least alkali silicate and hardener, wherein the ceramic particles are present as at least 50 percent by weight of each granule, based on the total weight of the respective granule, wherein each granule has a total porosity in a range from greater than 0 to 50 percent by volume, based on the total volume of the respective granule, and wherein the granule has a minimum Total Solar Reflectance of at least 0.7. The granules are useful, for example, as roofing granules.

Environmentally responsible insulating construction blocks and structures constructed primarily of recycled materials are disclosed. The environmentally friendly construction blocks and structures comprise shredded rubber tire pieces coated with silica fume, slag cement and cement, which are then mixed with water and formed in a mold. A layer of grout or a fireproof material may be disposed on one side of the environmentally responsible insulating construction block. The environmentally responsible insulating construction blocks provide high insulation as well as strength for applications such as green roofing, wall construction and green roofing decks. Environmentally friendly structures can be built by pouring the coated shredded rubber tire pieces into molds to form walls, and then to pour a layer of the coated shredded rubber tire pieces as a roof deck, thereby creating a self-supporting structure in a monolithic pour.

Polyurethane composites and methods of preparation are described herein. The polyurethane composites can comprise (a) a polyurethane formed by the reaction of (i) one or more isocyanates selected from the group consisting of diisocyanates, polyisocyanates, and mixtures thereof, and (ii) one or more polyols, (b) a particulate filler having a bulk density of 1 g/cm.sup.3 or greater, (c) optionally a fiber material, and (d) a lightweight filler having a bulk density from 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 to less than 1 g/cm.sup.3. In some examples, the lightweight filler can be selected from expanded perlite, expanded clay, foamed glass, and combinations thereof. Articles such as building materials comprising the polyurethane composites are also disclosed.

A method of making a plurality of composite granules can include: forming green body granules comprising an aluminosilicate; heating the green body granules to form sintered granules; cooling the sintered granules according to a cooling regime, wherein the cooling regime comprises a temperature hold between 700 C. and 900 C. for at least one hour. In a particular embodiment, the aluminosilicate for making the composite granules can have a particle size less than 150 m. The composite granules are particularly suitable as roofing granules and can have a desired combination of high solar reflectance SR and low lightness L*, a low bulk density, good weather resistance and strength.

The present disclosure relates to roofing granules, such as solar-reflective roofing granules having one or more of low crystalline silica content, high stain resistance and algae resistance. The present disclosure provides a mineral roofing granule having a mineral outer surface having a surface porosity of no more than about 10%. The present disclosure also provides a mineral roofing granule having at its mineral outer surface a first fired mixture comprising an aluminosilicate clay, the first fired material having no more than 2 wt % crystalline silica. The present disclosure also provides a mineral roofing granule having a mineral body and a mineral outer surface, the mineral roofing granule having at its mineral outer surface a first fired material, the first fired material being a first fired mixture comprising an aluminosilicate clay; one or more of a feldspar, a sodium silicate and a nepheline syenite; and, optionally, a zinc source.

Solar-reflective roofing granules having improved solar heat-resistance are formed by coating colored mineral particles with a coating composition including titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

The present invention relates to lightweight fine ceramic particulates, directly obtained from fly ash, their use in different technical fields and building material compositions comprising the same.

Lightweight fine ceramic particulates, especially sintered synthetic sand, as disclosed herein are characterized in that the grading of the particulates is as follows:

TABLE-US-00001 Sieve size (mm) 2 1 0.5 0.25 Passing (mass-%) >98 55 to 80 30 to 45 2 to 4

Disclosed is further the use of lightweight fine ceramic particulates according to the invention as aggregate for construction purposes, especially in combination with fly ash.

Lightweight fine ceramic particulates according to the invention are further used as additive in paint or coating formulations, as foundry sand, additive for waste water treatment, substrate for horticultural purposes, for hydroponic gardening, for green roofing purposes or for applications in geotechnics.

Disclosed are also building material compositions in form of mortar or concrete, comprising the lightweight fine ceramic particulates according to the invention.

The lightweight fine ceramic particulates according to the invention, and especially the building material compositions derived from them, are advantageous in respect to superior quality and workability, sound insulation and sustainability from internal curing.

The present invention is directed to a gypsum panel with enhanced hail resistance and a method of making such gypsum panel. For instance, in one aspect, the gypsum panel comprises a gypsum core and a first facing material and a second facing material, the first facing material and the second facing material sandwiching the gypsum core, the first facing material, the second facing material, or both comprising glass fibers and one or more binders, the glass fibers being bound by the one or more binders. The methods of the present invention are directed to making the aforementioned gypsum panels by providing the first facing material, providing a gypsum slurry comprising gypsum and water onto the first facing material, and providing a second facing material on the gypsum slurry.

Plastomer-modified asphalt binders meeting MSCR specifications, asphalt paving materials with such asphalt binders, and methods for fabricating such asphalt binders are provided. The asphalt binder contains a base asphalt and a plastomer. If the plastomer has a drop point no greater than about 139 C., the asphalt binder further contains sulfur; sulfur-containing compounds, such as hydrocarbyl polysulfides and thiuram disulfides; phenolic resins; metal oxides; or a combination thereof. The asphalt binder is substantially free of elastomer.