Construction

Construction

The construction market encompasses many end-use products and AMI’s Min-U-Gel® attapulgite and Acti-Min® kaolin mineral additives are used to impart important properties to most, such as rheology modification, suspension, shelf-life stability, low-cost filling or help form ceramic granules or refractory brick.

Some primary end-use markets are tape joint compound and gypsum wallboard, roof coatings, roofing shingles and granules, and refractory brick.

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Construction of a new house in the forest zone

Joint (or Tape Joint) Compound

Gellant attapulgite has been the thickener and rheology modifier of choice for decades in literally hundreds of joint (or tape joint) compound formulations around the world.

 

Mixing skimming plaster on trowel for the patching

Uses of Joint Compounds

It provides the critical properties of thixotropic thickening, suspension, syneresis control, easy workability/troweling and shelf-life stability. AMI’s Min-U-Gel® FG attapulgite product is the most widely used attapulgite thixotrope in joint compounds for its consistent high quality and reliable supply.

Gel Quality Attapulgite application for Joint Compounds

Lower Dosage Rate

Acti-Gel® 208 purified attapulgite is easier to disperse making it ideal for dry powder forms of tape joint compounds that are mixed with water on site. In addition, Acti-Gel 208 greatly improves thixotropy/workability and imparts a lighter overall color while maintaining all other performance properties. Most importantly its dosage rate is 80-90% less of standard attapulgite grades allowing for savings in freight, inventory and handling.

Crown ClayTM kaolin product is used to improve slip (workability) and sanding properties due to its platy nature and low water & oil absorption. It is especially useful in lightweight joint compounds in replacing mica and pyrophyllite.

Mixing skimming plaster on trowel for the patching

Roofing Shingles, Roof Coatings and Driveway Sealers

Roof shingles use different Acti-Min® kaolin products in multiple ways. Some are used as a reinforcing agent replacing asbestos in earlier products or as a filler for their bulking value, low oil absorption and overall cost reduction. Other grades are used to make a ceramic coating for decorative granules applied to the surface of the roof shingle.

Low-Cost Fillers

Asphaltic-based roof coatings, adhesives and driveway sealers require a stable rheology modifier. Min-U-Gel® grades provide consistent thixotropic thickening, sag resistance, syneresis control, suspension, easy workability and a stable shelf-life. A cationic surfactant is needed to emulsify the hydrophilic and organophilic components into a water-in-oil emulsion. Acti-Min grades are used in driveway sealers as low-cost fillers that impart easy spreading, low shear rheology modification, and small crack filling.

Qualified workman in uniform work wear using air or pneumatic nail gun and installing asphalt or bitumen shingle on top of the new roof under construction residential building

White Cement & Refractory Brick

Kaolin mineral products are commonly used to produce refractory materials. They can withstand high temperatures and loads at high temperatures without deformation. They are ideal for producing both refractory bricks and silicon aluminum wool. AMI’s Acti-Min® CR kaolin product has a favorable aluminum-rich ratio of Al2O3/SiO2 of 85% that benefits refractory performance. In addition, its low content of Fe2O3, TiO2, K2O and other oxides preserves the qualities of the refractories made with it.

Close up image of bricks

Wallboard

Crown ClayTM kaolin mineral product is very helpful in improving gypsum wallboards or drywall. It imparts lubricity so driving nails have less tendency to crack the gypsum. This is especially useful in fire retardant boards.

drywall construction for an interior wall

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