Abstract: A thickening or suspending agent for imparting thixotropic properties to aqueous compositions, particularly LADD formulations, comprises a kaolinite clay admixed to the formulation at a level ranging from about 2% to about 5% by weight. While the thickening or suspending properties of the kaolinite clay are exhibited over a very broad range of particle size products, the kaolinite clay used advantageously has a particle size distribution of at least about 50% of the kaolin particles thereof have a particle size less than 2 microns equivalent spherical diameter, more preferably at least about 80% and, most perferably, at least about 95%. When utilized in a slurry form, the kaolinite clay based thickening or suspending agent most advantageously comprises an aqueous slurry of kaolinite particles at a solids level of at least 65% solids by weight.

Abstract: An organoclay functional as a rheological modifier for control of the viscosity and thixotropy of polyester-styrene compositions is prepared by a dry process wherein a quaternary ammonium salt is reacted with unfractionated smectite in an aqueous dispersion thereby eliminating the fractionating step required in the typical prior art wet process as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,951 and permitting the preparation of the organoclay rheological modifier to be carried out at a high solids content thereby reducing drying costs in the recovery of the product organoclay.

Abstract: An organically modified smectite is produced by reacting unfractionated pulverized bentonite with an aqueous dispersion or solution of a methyl benzyl dialkyl ammonium halide salt via cation exchange. The product organoclay is equivalent in quality to a "wet" processed organoclay, and has particular utility as an ingredient in forming invert emulsion drilling mud for enhancing the rheological properties of the mud. An invert emulsion drilling mud derived from an organoclay produced by the method of the present invention will have a viscosity of at least seventy (70) centipoise at 26 C and a 10-second gel strength at 26 C of at least thirty (30) pounds per 100 square feet.

Abstract: An electroconductive clay coating for electrophotography having solvent hold-out characteristics is provided comprising an expandable clay, an alkali metal salt, and at least one organic compound from the group consisting of sugar syrups, anionic organic compounds and fluorochemicals. In those compositions using anionic organic compounds a synergism with the expanded clay appears to result.