Abstract: A granular filler comprising a particulate inorganic material; from 0.1% to 10% by weight, based on the weight of the organic material, of fine carbon black; and sufficient amount of a natural or synthetic latex composition to provide from 1% to 10% by weight of elastomer solids, based on the weight of the inorganic material, wherein the granules have diameters within the range of from 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm.

Abstract: A process for preparing a permeable sheet of glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic material for moulding into a shaped product which includes binding thereto a surface layer of particulate material which is compatible with or inert to the thermoplastic content of said sheet and which acts to improve the surface finish thereof when the sheet is subsequently heated and chill moulded under pressure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing an organic polymer composition which includes an inorganic filler, which comprises: (i) treating an inorganic filler by adding to a particulate white inorganic material a natural or synthetic latex composition which comprises a suspension of polymer particles in water wherein the latex solids are selected from the group consisting of acrylic copolymers and vinyl acetate copolymers, and dewatering and drying the resultant mixture, the amount of the natural or synthetic latex composition added being such as to provide from 1% to 10% by weight of latex solids based on the weight of dry inorganic material; and (ii) combining the treated inorganic filler with an organic polymer. Also disclosed is an organic polymeric composition comprising an organic polymer and an inorganic filler.

Abstract: A process for preparing an inorganic filler comprises admixing a particulate inorganic material with a natural or synthetic latex composition and an aqueous suspension of fine carbon black, and dewatering and drying the resultant mixture, the amount of the natural or synthetic latex composition added being such as to provide a coating on the inorganic mineral of from 1% to 10% by weight of latex solids based on the weight of dry inorganic material.

Abstract: A process for preparing an inorganic filler comprising treating a particulate inorganic material with a natural or synthetic latex composition and dewatering and drying the resultant mixture. The surface-treated inorganic filler can be used with advantage in a polymeric resin composition.

Abstract: A filled elastomer composition comprises a natural or synthetic rubber and, as a filler, a substantially dehydroxylated clay which contains at least 60% by weight of particles smaller than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter, has a specific gravity not greater than 2.4 and a spherical surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2 g.sup.-1 and which has been treated with a substituted silane. The substantially dehydroxylated clay can be obtained by "shock" calcining a kaolinitic clay.