Erosion Resistant Composition and Method of Making Same

Abstract

An erosion resistant composition includes a granular material and a wax including oil in which a weight percent of the oil in the wax is between 0.01-15%. The granular material includes a sand and has a first resistance to flow prior to being coated with the wax. The wax at least partially coats a portion of the granular material to form the erosion resistant composition which has a second resistance to flow after coating that is greater than the first resistance to flow prior to coating. The erosion resistant composition may be used, for example, in golf course bunkers or other landscaping applications. Related methods of making the erosion resistant composition are also described in which the granular material is dried, the wax is heated, and the granular material is blended with the melted wax.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An erosion resistant composition comprising:
 a granular material, the granular material comprising sand and having a first resistance to flow;   a wax comprising an oil, the wax at least partially coating a portion of the granular material to form the erosion resistant composition, the erosion resistant composition having a second resistance to flow after coating that is greater than the first resistance to flow prior to coating; and   wherein a weight percent of the oil in the wax is between 0.01-15% and wherein the wax content in the erosion resistant composition is between 2% to 8% by weight.   
     
     
         2 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax has a kinematic viscosity between 16 and 20 cSt at 100° C. 
     
     
         3 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax has a flash point between 350 and 800° F. 
     
     
         4 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax has a congealing point between 130 to 190° F. 
     
     
         5 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax has a density between 5 and 10 lb/gal. 
     
     
         6 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sand is natural or manufactured. 
     
     
         7 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sand has a particle size of less than 8 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the sand is selected from a group consisting of silica sand, continental sand, biogenic sand, limestone sand, gypsum sand, calcareous sand, dolomite sand, porcelain sand, granite sand, decomposed granite sand, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax content in the erosion resistant composition is between 2 to 6% by weight 
     
     
         10 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax content in the erosion resistant composition is between 4 to 6% by weight. 
     
     
         11 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , a weight percent of the oil in the wax is between 0.01-5%. 
     
     
         12 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the granular material consists essentially of sand. 
     
     
         13 . The erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 , wherein the wax has a kinematic viscosity between 16 and 20 cSt at 100° C. and the wax has a density between 5 and 10 lb/gal. 
     
     
         14 . A pathway comprising an erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A ballfield playing surface comprising an erosion resistant composition of  claim 1 .