SPRAYABLE SULFUR COMPOSITES

The present paper relates to a spray able composition which can be used as a coating in construction materials and which contains a major amount of sulfur, which has been plasticized and reinforced with minerals.Compositions containing sulfur have been investigated for use as coatings, as sulfur-aggregate concretes, and as sulfur-asphalt road paving mixtures. For example, it has been proposed to use sulfur-polysulfide-glass fiber reinforced compositions for joining blocks for wall construction. It has also been proposed to use sulfur coatings for forming impervious layers in walls and generally for coating earthen tanks, drainage and irrigation canals, ponds, concrete structures, etc. According to the present paper a sulfur composite is containing sulfur, a plasticizer, mineral fillers, and a dispersing agent.In general, the sulfur composites are prepared by adding a plasticizer to molten sulfur, followed by the dispersing agent and finally the mineral fillers. For this purpose, sulfur is heated to a temperature above the melting point (i.e., above about 116 °C) but preferably in the range of about 140 – 160 °C. Then the plasticizer is added and mixed intimately with the molten sulfur. When a plasticizer is formed by "in situ" reaction of an additive compound, is allowed for reaction before the remainders of the components are added. It is then preferable to add the dispersing agent before any other ingredients because this helps in obtaining good dispersion in the plasticized sulfur. After all the ingredients have been added the composition is stirred to obtain a homogeneous blend.