Cementitious composition comprising particulate silica

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A cementitious composition and by extension, an, article of manufacture and a curable composition of particulate or comminuted silica, an alkali-metal silicate and, optionally, an alkyl silicate and/or ester catalyst is disclosed. The silica, (80-75%, 80-95% 80-92.5%), is, preferably sand, either pure silica sand for a white effect or naturally/artificially coloured for colour effects. The alkali metal silicate, (20-25%, 20-5%, 20-7.5%) may be, either sodium and/or potassium. The alkyl silicate is preferably ethyl silicate and the ester catalysts are generally esters of long chain organic (preferably, unsaturated aliphatic), carboxylic acids. Ester catalysts usually employed in foundry sand …