Lightweight synthetic particle and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

Lightweight synthetic particles that replace traditional aggregates and methods of producing the same are disclosed herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A light weight synthetic particle comprising a core and wetting agent. 
     
     
         2 . The light weight synthetic particle of  claim 1  where the core is taken from the group consisting of: EPS, perlite, vermiculite, bamboo, wood chips, wood pellet fragments, rice, coffee, cocoa husks or shells, husk or shells from wheat or other plants, seeds, cores, stalks, plant strands or fibers, sea shell fragments, paper fragments or pellets, rubber fragments or particles, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The light weight synthetic particle of  claim 2  where the wetting agent is glass forming silicate salt. 
     
     
         4 . The light weight synthetic particle of  claim 3  where the wetting agent is water soluble, glass forming silicate salt is potassium silicate. 
     
     
         5 . The light weight synthetic particle of  claim 2  wherein said water soluble, glass forming silicate salt is sodium silicate. 
     
     
         6 . The light weight synthetic particle of  claim 1  is further comprised of a coating agent. 
     
     
         7 . The light weight synthetic particle of  claim 5  where the coating is taken from the group consisting of: acrylic, bio-char, cementitious and pozzolanic materials, Portland cement, masonry cement, plastic, high-early slag cement, fly ash, silica fume, metakaolin, pigments, iron oxide, gypsum, fibers, PVA fibers, nylon fibers, steel fibers, fiberglass, organic materials, or a combination thereof.