Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using rock dust are disclosed. A mine rock dust may be capable of being applied in a wet form. A moisture tolerant mine rock dust may include a hydrophobic inorganic particulate material. A moisture tolerant mine rock dust may be capable of being dispersed by a light blast of air. A method may include applying a mine rock dust at a concentration having little or no respirable mine rock dust. A method of applying a mine rock dust may include applying a mine rock dust in a wet form. The mine rock dust may be applied at a concentration having little or no respirable mine rock dust. The mine rock dust may include a hydrophobic inorganic particulate material.

Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: A composition for use as a construction compound is disclosed. The composition may include an inorganic particulate material treated with at least one surface treatment. The surface treatment may include at least one of a fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, silicone oil, silane, or siloxane. The construction compound may improve the workability and/or surface finish of a construction compound. Methods are also provided, including a method for improving the efficiency of application of a construction compound to a drywall joint.

Abstract: A functional filler composition for use with a vinyl chloride polymeric resin may include a treated alkali earth metal carbonate and a humectant. A method of forming a filled vinyl chloride-based polymer article may include mixing a vinyl chloride-based polymeric resin with a filler composition and forming a polymer article from the mixture. The filler composition comprising a treated alkali earth metal carbonate and a humectant. A surface treatment of the treated alkali earth metal carbonate includes at least a monolayer concentration of the surface treatment.

Abstract: A method for using a composition for use as rock dust in an underground mine is disclosed. The composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one hydrophobic treatment, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert according to at least one of a 20-L explosibility test or an ASTM E1515 explosibility test. The fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: A heterogeneous composition for use as rock dust is disclosed. The heterogeneous composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a heterogeneous composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert. The fine, treated, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.

Abstract: A composition for use as rock dust is disclosed. The composition may include an inorganic particulate material treated with at least one surface treatment. The surface treatment may include at least one of a fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, silicone oil, silane, or siloxane. Also disclosed is a composition that may include coal dust and mine rock dust including a inorganic particulate material treated with at least one a fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, silicone oil, silane, or siloxane. The mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert. A composition may include a mine rock dust that may pass 20-L explosibility test or may pass ASTM E1515 explosibility test. A composition may include a mine rock dust that may have a dispersion greater than or equal to about 0.1% by weight.

Abstract: A heterogeneous composition for use as rock dust is disclosed. The heterogeneous composition includes a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. Also disclosed is a heterogeneous composition including coal dust and mine rock dust including a fine, wet ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof, and a coarse, untreated, dry ground inorganic particulate material. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert. The fine, treated, wet ground inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The coarse, untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: A composition for use as rock dust is disclosed. The composition may include a ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof. Also disclosed is a composition including coal dust and mine rock dust, which may include a ground inorganic particulate material treated with at least one fatty acid, a salt thereof, or an ester thereof. The amount of mine rock dust may be sufficient to render the coal dust explosively inert. The composition may also include an untreated inorganic particulate material. The treated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The untreated inorganic particulate material may be calcium carbonate. The fatty acid may be stearic acid.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.