Roofing granules comprising agglomerated inorganic material, and building materials, such as shingles, that include such roofing granules. By fabricating roofing granules from agglomerating inorganic material it is possible to tailor the particle size distribution so as to provide optimal shingle surface coverage, thus reducing shingle weight and usage of raw materials. Additionally, the use of agglomeration permits the utilization of by-products from conventional granule production processes.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

The present application is directed to an asphalt binder composition comprising: an asphalt binder; a compound of formula (I):

##STR00001## wherein R, A, n, and m are as described herein, a compound of formula (II):

##STR00002## wherein R′, A′, n′, and m′ are as described herein. The present application is also directed to further compositions, methods of producing an asphalt binder composition, and methods of paving.

Composite roofing structures can include mineral fiber roof cover boards with high concentration of mineral wool or mineral wool and perlite. The roofing structure may include: a roof cover board including a dried base mat including: 8-25% mineral wool, 40-65% perlite, 9-15% binder, 9-15% cellulosic fiber, and 0.25-2% sizing agent, all % by weight; an insulation layer; and a roofing membrane. The roof cover board is over the insulation layer, the roofing membrane is over the roof cover board. The roof cover board is attached to the insulation layer. The roofing membrane is attached to the roof cover board. Alternatively dried base mat may include: 30-70% mineral wool, 10-50% perlite, 5-15% binder, 2-20% cellulosic fiber, and 0.25-2% sizing agent. Alternatively the dried base mat may include: 60-90% mineral wool, 0-10% fiber, 0-10% perlite, 4-10% binder, 0-5% gypsum, and 0.25-2% sizing agent.

The asphalt formulations according to the invention include the use of post-consumer recycled materials and provide for shingle and roll roofing membranes that exhibit performance requirements of the roofing industry. The formulations provide additional benefits of less blistering compared to conventional polymer modified asphaltic formulations, and are less susceptible to external damage such as scuffing and granule loss. The post-consumer recycled materials are olefinic polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene waxes that may be derived from, for example, feedstock from waste agricultural films, bottles, milk jugs, waste plastics, consumer bags, polyolefin plastics, and synthesized plastics.

A low-density, high-strength concrete composition that is lightweight and self-compacting or non-self-compacting, with a low weight-fraction of aggregate to total dry raw materials, and a highly-homogenous distribution of a non-absorptive and closed-cell lightweight aggregate such as glass microspheres or copolymer polymer beads or a combination thereof, and the steps of providing the composition or components. Lightweight concretes formed therefrom have low density, high strength-to-weight ratios, and high R-value. The concrete has strength similar to that ordinarily found in structural lightweight concrete but at a lower density, such as an oven-dried density as low as 40 lbs./cu.ft. Such strength-to-density ratios range approximately from above 30 cu.ft/sq.in. to above 110 cu.ft/sq.in., with a 28-day compressive strength ranging from about 3400 to 8000 psi.

Roofing granules comprising agglomerated inorganic material, and building materials, such as shingles, that include such roofing granules. By fabricating roofing granules from agglomerating inorganic material it is possible to tailor the particle size distribution so as to provide optimal shingle surface coverage, thus reducing shingle weight and usage of raw materials. Additionally, the use of agglomeration permits the utilization of by-products from conventional granule production processes.

A particulate composition suitable for protection against lightning is disclosed. The particulate composition comprises of a particulate matter comprising a mineral compound, preferably black tourmaline, capable of emitting negatively charged ions continuously, a grinding auxiliary agent, and a liquid medium. The particulate composition is embedded in a substrate, coating or mixed into the granules of composite roofing to protect people, objects and structures from lightning by developing a negatively charged cloaking shield to prevent the attraction of negatively charged lightning from striking. The composition infused or applied on a subject continuously emits negative ions sufficiently producing a protective electromagnetic cloaking shield restricting the wicking action of positive ions up from ground surface and thereby restricting the formation of positive streamers that reach upwards towards the stepped leaders of lightning.

A particulate composition suitable for protection against lightning is disclosed. The particulate composition comprises of a particulate matter comprising a mineral compound, preferably black tourmaline, capable of emitting negatively charged ions continuously, a grinding auxiliary agent, and a liquid medium. The particulate composition is embedded in a substrate, coating or mixed into the granules of composite roofing to protect people, objects and structures from lightning by developing a negatively charged cloaking shield to prevent the attraction of negatively charged lightning from striking. The composition infused or applied on a subject continuously emits negative ions sufficiently producing a protective electromagnetic cloaking shield restricting the wicking action of positive ions up from ground surface and thereby restricting the formation of positive streamers that reach upwards towards the stepped leaders of lightning.

The present application is directed to an asphalt binder composition comprising: an asphalt binder; a compound of formula (I):

##STR00001## wherein R, A, n, and m are as described herein, a compound of formula (II):

##STR00002## wherein R, A, n, and m are as described herein. The present application is also directed to further compositions, methods of producing an asphalt binder composition, and methods of paving.