Article made of conglomerate material in the form of a slab comprising an aggregate which includes granules of expanded material having a selected particle size range and defining between them inter-granular cavities containing only air and no filling material. The aggregate also includes a binder present in a controlled minimum quantity sufficient for lining the granules of expanded material. The article also comprises a lining layer integral with the aggregate. The invention also relates to a method for the production of an article made of conglomerate material.

Article made of conglomerate material in the form of a slab comprising an aggregate which includes granules of expanded material having a selected particle size range and defining between them inter-granular cavities containing only air and no filling material. The aggregate also includes a binder present in a controlled minimum quantity sufficient for lining the granules of expanded material. The article also comprises a lining layer integral with the aggregate. The invention also relates to a method for the production of an article made of conglomerate material.

A method of manufacturing a highly insulating three-dimensional (3D) structure is provided. The method includes depositing a first layer of hollow microspheres onto a base. The hollow microspheres have a metallic coating formed thereon. A laser beam is scanned over the hollow microspheres so as to sinter the metallic coating of the hollow microspheres at predetermined locations. At least one layer of the hollow microspheres is deposited onto the first layer. Scanning by the laser beam is repeated for each successive layer until a predetermined 3D structure is constructed. The 3D structure includes a composite thermal barrier coating (TBC), which may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine, and the like. The composite TBC is bonded to the components of the engine to provide low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses.

A method of manufacturing a highly insulating three-dimensional (3D) structure is provided. The method includes depositing a first layer of hollow microspheres onto a base. The hollow microspheres have a metallic coating formed thereon. A laser beam is scanned over the hollow microspheres so as to sinter the metallic coating of the hollow microspheres at predetermined locations. At least one layer of the hollow microspheres is deposited onto the first layer. Scanning by the laser beam is repeated for each successive layer until a predetermined 3D structure is constructed. The 3D structure includes a composite thermal barrier coating (TBC), which may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine, and the like. The composite TBC is bonded to the components of the engine to provide low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses.

A steel fiber adapted for the reinforcement of a cementitious matrix is provided with a zinc aluminium alloy coating. The amount of aluminium ranges from 0.05 wt % to 0.5 wt %. The remainder of the coating being zinc and unavoidable impurities. The small amount of aluminium delays the growth of the alloy layer and delays the appearance of brown rust stains on the surface.

A steel fiber adapted for the reinforcement of a cementitious matrix is provided with a zinc aluminium alloy coating. The amount of aluminium ranges from 0.05 wt % to 0.5 wt %. The remainder of the coating being zinc and unavoidable impurities. The small amount of aluminium delays the growth of the alloy layer and delays the appearance of brown rust stains on the surface.

A concrete product set by pouring a concrete slurry which includes a concrete mixture; a lithium-coated colloidal silica admixture; and optionally, at least one reinforcing fiber selected from the group of fibers. As the poured concrete slurry cures, the poured slurry hardens into a composite material product, and the concrete product defines capillary structures that at least in part fill with lithium-coated silica and lime. In another exemplary embodiment, wherein optional graphene oxide is used in the concrete slurry, the surrounding aggregate and cement is embedded with graphene oxide flakes. In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directed to a process for placing a jointless and/or fiberless slab. The process includes the steps of preparing a concrete slurry; pouring the concrete slurry onto substrate; and allowing the concrete slurry to cure. In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention is directed to the product itself.

The present invention relates to a corrosion-induced shape memory fiber, a preparation method and application thereof. The corrosion-induced shape memory fiber is composed of a core fiber and/or a core fiber with a corrosion-resistant coating, and a corrodible coating; the core fiber and/or the core fiber with the corrosion-resistant coating are in a tensile stress state along the length of the corrosion-induced shape memory fiber; the corrodible coating is in a compressive stress state along the length of the corrosion-induced shape memory fiber; the core fiber and/or the core fiber with the corrosion-resistant coating and the corrodible coating are in a tensile-compressive equilibrium state along the length of the corrosion-induced shape memory fiber; and the corrodible coating is coated outside the core fiber and/or the core fiber with the corrosion-resistant coating.

The present invention relates to a corrosion-induced shape memory fiber, a preparation method and application thereof. The corrosion-induced shape memory fiber is composed of a core fiber and/or a core fiber with a corrosion-resistant coating, and a corrodible coating; the core fiber and/or the core fiber with the corrosion-resistant coating are in a tensile stress state along the length of the corrosion-induced shape memory fiber; the corrodible coating is in a compressive stress state along the length of the corrosion-induced shape memory fiber; the core fiber and/or the core fiber with the corrosion-resistant coating and the corrodible coating are in a tensile-compressive equilibrium state along the length of the corrosion-induced shape memory fiber; and the corrodible coating is coated outside the core fiber and/or the core fiber with the corrosion-resistant coating.

A delayed-expansion cement mixture or slurry of hydraulic cement contains an expanding agent having hydrophobically modified surfaces with a hydrophobic and/or self-assembling film. A method to delay expansion of cement involves treating the expanding agent with a self-assembling film precursor compound, making the slurry with cement and water, and setting and expanding the cement. A cementing method places the mixture or slurry downhole where it is hardened and expanded.