Lightweight synthetic particles that replace traditional aggregates and methods of producing the same are disclosed herein.

Rheology modifiers comprising cross-linked poly(amino acid) and methods of their use in aqueous compositions. The modifiers comprise cross-linked poly(amino acid) microparticles having a mean equivalent diameter when fully swollen in deionized water of up to 1000 μm, as measured by laser diffraction. In particular, the poly(amino acid) is D-, L- or D,L-Y-poly(glutamic acid). A method of preparing the modifier comprises cross-linking a poly(amino acid), drying the cross-linked poly(amino acid) and grinding the cross-linked poly(amino acid) to have the required diameter.

Rheology modifiers comprising cross-linked poly(amino acid) and methods of their use in aqueous compositions. The modifiers comprise cross-linked poly(amino acid) microparticles having a mean equivalent diameter when fully swollen in deionized water of up to 1000 μm, as measured by laser diffraction. In particular, the poly(amino acid) is D-, L- or D,L-Y-poly(glutamic acid). A method of preparing the modifier comprises cross-linking a poly(amino acid), drying the cross-linked poly(amino acid) and grinding the cross-linked poly(amino acid) to have the required diameter.

Photoluminescent sand preferably includes play sand, photoluminescent pigment, a powdered binder and a curing agent. The play sand is preferably mixed with the photoluminescent pigment to form a photo sand mix. The photo sand mix is then mixed with the powered binder and curing agent to form the photoluminescent sand mix. The photoluminescent sand mix is allowed to cure for between 3-7 days to form the photoluminescent sand.

Photoluminescent sand preferably includes play sand, photoluminescent pigment, a powdered binder and a curing agent. The play sand is preferably mixed with the photoluminescent pigment to form a photo sand mix. The photo sand mix is then mixed with the powered binder and curing agent to form the photoluminescent sand mix. The photoluminescent sand mix is allowed to cure for between 3-7 days to form the photoluminescent sand.

The invention relates to a hardenable multi-part acrylic composition. The composition has at least two parts which react with each other upon being mixed together to progressively harden to form a solid cement, such as a bone cement. The beads in the first part comprise an acrylic bead polymer core produced by suspension polymerisation and having a Tg of >70° C. and emulsion polymerised acrylic microparticles at least partially coating the surface of the acrylic bead polymer core. The microparticles may form a porous coalesced network. The bone cement composition comprises the first part and a liquid second part and optionally, further parts. The parts are operable to form a cement which hardens to a solid mass upon mixing of the parts together. The composition further comprises an acrylic monomer component in the second part and an initiator component. A method of production of coated beads for the hardenable multipart composition and a solid cement is also described.

The invention relates to a hardenable multi-part acrylic composition. The composition has at least two parts which react with each other upon being mixed together to progressively harden to form a solid cement, such as a bone cement. The beads in the first part comprise an acrylic bead polymer core produced by suspension polymerisation and having a Tg of >70° C. and emulsion polymerised acrylic microparticles at least partially coating the surface of the acrylic bead polymer core. The microparticles may form a porous coalesced network. The bone cement composition comprises the first part and a liquid second part and optionally, further parts. The parts are operable to form a cement which hardens to a solid mass upon mixing of the parts together. The composition further comprises an acrylic monomer component in the second part and an initiator component. A method of production of coated beads for the hardenable multipart composition and a solid cement is also described.

Fresh concrete which contains in 1 m3 50 to 300 kg of water, 135 to 400 kg of cement or 135 to 600 kg of a mixture of cement and at least one substituent thereof, 10 to 150 kg of finely ground brick, ceramic, mixed or concrete recyclate having a particle size of 5 to 250 microns and a specific surface of 300 to 1500 m2/kg or 10 to 150 kg of a mixture of finely ground brick, ceramic, mixed or concrete recyclate having a particle size of 5 to 250 microns and a specific surface of 300 to 1500 m2/kg and microsilica and/or at least one substituent thereof, with a content of finely ground recyclate in this combination of at least 10% by weight, and 1000 to 2300 kg of aggregate.

Fresh concrete which contains in 1 m3 50 to 300 kg of water, 135 to 400 kg of cement or 135 to 600 kg of a mixture of cement and at least one substituent thereof, 10 to 150 kg of finely ground brick, ceramic, mixed or concrete recyclate having a particle size of 5 to 250 microns and a specific surface of 300 to 1500 m2/kg or 10 to 150 kg of a mixture of finely ground brick, ceramic, mixed or concrete recyclate having a particle size of 5 to 250 microns and a specific surface of 300 to 1500 m2/kg and microsilica and/or at least one substituent thereof, with a content of finely ground recyclate in this combination of at least 10% by weight, and 1000 to 2300 kg of aggregate.

A method of pre-treating plastic using plasms is disclosed. The plasma is applied to plastic in an atmosphere such as oxygen that encourages formation of functional groups on an otherwise inert plastic surface. The functional groups such as hydrogen group, carboxyl group, and formyl group are introduced on the surface of the recycled plastics. This allows the use of plastic to replace part of the sand aggregate in mortar, resulting in a more environmentally friendly mortar.