A superhydrophobic asphalt and a method of its preparation. The superhydrophobic asphalt contains an asphalt layer containing a polymer modified asphalt, preferably a radial SBS modified asphalt, and a polypropylene layer. The polypropylene layer comprises granules of polypropylene thermally fused to the asphalt layer. The superhydrophobic asphalt has a water contact angle of 145 to 170°, above the classification threshold for superhydrophobicity. The method of preparing the superhydrophobic asphalt involves distributing polypropylene granules over the surface of a polymer modified asphalt and curing below the melting temperature of the polypropylene. The asphalt may find use in waterproofing applications such as roofing.

Lightweight construction panels, such as gypsum plaster-board, are commonly used to provide internal partitions in buildings It is known to cover, either partially or fully, the panel with an aqueous material such as gypsum plaster or jointing compound. It has been found that known panels expand when they absorb water. This gives rise to several undesirable results such as the gypsum plaster or jointing compound cracking as the panel expands as moisture is absorbed. The present invention provides a panel comprising a gypsum matrix including fibres in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, a polymeric additive in an amount of at least 0.8 wt % relative to the gypsum, and at least one phosphate additive. A panel having such a composition has been found to have desirable characteristics.

The present invention is a method for producing a powder dispersant composition for hydraulic compositions including, drying a mixture containing a copolymer having constituent unit (1) represented by the following formula (1) and constituent unit (2) represented by the following formula (2) and water to produce a powder containing the copolymer, wherein: when the copolymer is a copolymer whose n in constituent unit (2) is less than 40, the mixture is dried by a thin film drying method or a spray drying method with a pH of 11 or more and 14 or less; when the copolymer is a copolymer whose n in constituent unit (2) is 40 or more and less than 80, the mixture is dried by a thin film drying method or a spray drying method with a pH of 9 or more and 14 or less; and when the copolymer is a copolymer whose n in constituent unit (2) is 80 or more, the mixture is dried by a thin film drying method or a spray drying method with a pH of 7 or more and 14 or less,

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and individually represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and individually represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with 1 or more and 3 or less carbons; M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, ammonium or an organic ammonium; p represents a number of 0 or more and 2 or less; q represents a number of 0 or 1; and n represents an average number of added moles and a number of 5 or more and 150 or less.

The present invention is a method for producing a powder dispersant composition for hydraulic compositions including, drying a mixture containing a copolymer having constituent unit (1) represented by the following formula (1) and constituent unit (2) represented by the following formula (2) and water to produce a powder containing the copolymer, wherein: when the copolymer is a copolymer whose n in constituent unit (2) is less than 40, the mixture is dried by a thin film drying method or a spray drying method with a pH of 11 or more and 14 or less; when the copolymer is a copolymer whose n in constituent unit (2) is 40 or more and less than 80, the mixture is dried by a thin film drying method or a spray drying method with a pH of 9 or more and 14 or less; and when the copolymer is a copolymer whose n in constituent unit (2) is 80 or more, the mixture is dried by a thin film drying method or a spray drying method with a pH of 7 or more and 14 or less,

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and individually represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are the same or different and individually represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with 1 or more and 3 or less carbons; M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, ammonium or an organic ammonium; p represents a number of 0 or more and 2 or less; q represents a number of 0 or 1; and n represents an average number of added moles and a number of 5 or more and 150 or less.

A highly thixotropic 3D printing concrete and a manufacturing method therefor are provided. The weight percentage of each component calculated per cube of concrete is: 35-40% of cement, 0.1-0.4% of polycarboxylate superplasticizer, 0.1-0.4% of polypropylene fiber, 1.0-3.0% of special thixotropic agent for 3D printing concrete, and 12.5-14.5% of water, and the remainder is sand.

Methods and compositions for treating a subterranean formation with salt-tolerant cement slurries including treating a salt-containing subterranean formation having sodium salts, potassium salts, magnesium salts, calcium salts, or any combination thereof comprising: providing a salt-tolerant cement slurry comprising: a base fluid, a cementitious material, a pozzolanic material, a salt-tolerant fluid loss additive, a salt additive, and optionally, an elastomer, a weight additive, a fluid loss intensifier, a strengthening agent, a dispersant, or any combination thereof; introducing the salt-tolerant cement slurry into the subterranean formation; and allowing the salt-tolerant cement slurry to set.

This disclosure relates to methods of treating a subterranean formation or cement construction in the presence of one or more contaminants using a hydrogel composition that contains a poly-alkene maleic anhydride copolymer, a polyethylene glycol, and an aqueous carrier.

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.

Provided are bitumen nanocomposites. The bitumen nanocomposites have one or more clay, one or more polymer composition, and bitumen. A polymer composition can have one or more polymer and one or more crumb rubber. A polymer may have one or more maleic anhydride group. The bitumen nanocomposites can be used in, for example, road surfacing products and roofing products.

A process for preparing powdered dispersants comprising at least 90% by weight of at least one copolymer CP of the polycarboxylate ether type. The powdered dispersants can be easily dispersed in water. The invention also relates to the use of such powdered dispersants in mineral binder compositions, in particular dry mortars, concrete or gypsum formulations.