The present disclosure relates to an artificial agglomerated stone comprising micronized feldspar and to a method for its manufacturing.

A method for preparing a silane coupling agent/silica/plant fiber composite includes the following steps: S1: pretreating plant fiber; S2: preparing hydrolysate of a silane coupling agent; S3: preparing a silane coupling agent/plant fiber composite; S4: preparing a silica nanoparticle dispersion; and S5: preparing a silane coupling agent/silica nanoparticle/plant fiber composite. Through the covalent interaction among a silanol group (SiOH) formed by hydrolysis of the silane coupling agent, SiOH of the silica, and a hydroxyl group (OH) on the surface of the plant fiber, the present invention enables silica nanoparticles to be grafted on the surface of the plant fiber. Using a hydrophobic film formed by the silane coupling agent, harmful ions are prevented from invading, and the volume stability of the fiber is improved. Using the pozzolanic activity of the silica nanoparticles, the alkalinity and calcium hydroxide content around the fiber are reduced.

A material composition for a bio-composite plaster material for use in construction is disclosed. The composition includes a binder, a filler, a polymer, and an additive. The binder includes calcium sulphate hemihydrate, the filler includes cork, the polymer includes vinyl acetate, and the additive includes modified amino acid. The filler is an agro-based bio fiber. The composition provides high thermal insulation. A method of preparing and using the composition includes preparing the composition, mixing the composition with water for a first predetermined amount of time to produce the bio-composite plaster material having a predetermined consistency, and applying a coat of the bio-composite plaster material on a surface during the construction activity.

Methods of preparing a cementitious structure for carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) sequestration are provided. The cementitious structure may be a cast in a mold. First, a cementitious composite material comprising binder and water is conditioned, for example, in a mold by exposing the cementitious composite material to about 50% to about 80% relative humidity for about 3 hours to about 24 hours. The cementitious composite material is then dried to remove about 10% by weight of initial water in the cementitious composite material. The cementitious structure formed is capable of a carbon dioxide uptake level of greater than or equal to about 6% by weight binder. The cementitious structure has a tensile strain capacity of about 1% and a uniaxial tensile strength of about 1 MPa. The method may also include carbonating the cementitious structure, following by an optional further hydration process.

Non-hydraulically reactive blended particulate compositions for use in making low carbon blended cement or low carbon concrete include a pozzolanic component having a first D90 and a mineral filler component having a second D90 greater than the first D90 dry blended without intergrinding, wherein the composition is free of hydraulic cement. The pozzolanic component can have a D90 less about 45 m and the mineral filler can have a D90 greater than about 45 m. The pozzolanic material can be fly ash, bottom ash, steel slag, silica fume, metakaolin, volcanic ash, natural pozzolan, calcined shale, calcined clay, and/or ground glass. The mineral filler component can be aggregate fines, quarry fines, limestone powder, granite fines, stone dust, rock dust, marble dust, mine tailings, pulverized bottom ash, pulverized metallurgical slag, ground recycled concrete, pulverized shale from shale oil extraction, or pulverized sand from tar sand extraction.

The present disclosure relates to an artificial agglomerated stone comprising micronized feldspar and to a method for its manufacturing.

An underlayment material composition is disclosed that includes a binder, a filler, a polymer, and a retarder. The binder includes calcium sulphate alpha hemihydrate, the filler includes cork, the polymer includes superplasticizer, and the retarder includes modified amino acid. The underlayment material exhibits a thermal resistance value that exceeds a threshold value for a defined thickness value. Further, a method of using the underlayment material composition in non-structural applications of one or more construction-related activities includes mixing the underlayment material composition, that includes the binder, the filler, the polymer, and the retarder, with a defined amount of water for a defined amount of time to produce an underlayment material composition mix having a defined consistency. The method further includes applying a coat of the underlayment material composition mix on a primer-coated surface.

A hydraulic binder composition comprising: a hydraulic binder including at least one alumino-silicate compound, for example blast furnace slag, and an alkaline or sulfate activator and a maximum of 10 wt % of clinker, preferably between 0 and 10 wt % of clinker; a guanidine salt and/or a zinc salt; and a polymer.