Abstract: An improved process for transforming clays that cannot be utilized in commercial pigment production to low-viscosity pigment for commercial application is described whereby a treated clay is produced having a reduced viscosity as compared to the initial clay when compared at equivalent solids content. The process comprises the steps of: drying the clay; mixing the dried clay with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt wherein the alkali metal salt is selected from the group consisting of lithium, potassium, rubidium and cesium salts; extruding the material obtained from alkali metal salt treatment; heat-treating the extruded material and high-shear blunging of the heat-treated material. Typically, a high viscosity clay that has been treated with this five-step procedure will exhibit a viscosity that is about 10% to about 20% of the viscosity of the starting clay.

Abstract: Intercalates formed by contacting a layered material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant monomer having a hydroxyl and/or an aromatic ring functionality to sorb or intercalate the intercalant monomer between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant monomer is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 5 .ANG. (as measured after water removal to a maximum of 5% by weight water), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 10-45 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated into individual platelets. The intercalated complex can be combined with an organic liquid into a viscous carrier material, for delivery of the carrier material, or for delivery of an active compound; or the intercalated complex can be combined with a matrix polymer to form a strong, filled polymer matrix.

Abstract: A composition for ceramic tiles, the composition having being formulated from materials including granite and comprising the following components, given in weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 56-64 wt % Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 15-17 wt % K.sub.2 O 2-3 wt % Na.sub.2 O 0.5-1.5 wt % CaO 5-5.7 wt % MgO 0.5-0.6 wt % L.O.I. 6-7 wt %.

Abstract: A hydrothermal reaction which dissolves the amorphous silica and the crystalline silica impurities contained in a recovered, naturally occurring montmorillonite clay, and subsequently converts the dissolved silicas into a dioctahedral and/or trioctahedil smectite clay. The dissolution of silica is accomplished by adjusting the pH of an aqueous slurry of the recovered clay to a value of about 8.5 to about 10.0, preferably about 9.0 to about 9.5, at a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C., preferably about 180.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C., more preferably about 190.degree. C. to about 235.degree. C. Dissolved silica reacts with stoichiometric amounts of aluminum and/or magnesium and/or sodium added to the slurry, while at a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C., preferably about 185.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C.

Abstract: Inorganic media for barrel finishing produced by sintering a media green body formed from a mixed material comprising clay fine grains as a binder, abrasive grains and aluminum hydroxide fine grains as a brittleness imparting agent. The inorganic media is excellent in finishing performance, with which rough finishing can be conducted by dry barrel finishing.

Abstract: Intercalates formed by contacting a layered material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant monomer having a hydroxyl and/or an aromatic ring functionality to sorb or intercalate the intercalant monomer between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant monomer is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 5 .ANG. (as measured after water removal to a maximum of 5% by weight water), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 10-45 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated into individual platelets. The intercalated complex can be combined with an organic liquid into a viscous carrier material, for delivery of the carrier material, or for delivery of an active compound; or the intercalated complex can be combined with a matrix polymer to form a strong, filled polymer matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to synthetic garnite tiles made essentially from garnite sand and a process for the production of synthetic garnite tiles essentially from garnet sand which is a by-product of beach sand from rare earths extraction, said process comprising mixing beach sand garnet, feldspar and clay thoroughly; pressing the mixture using a press at a pressure in the range of 40-80 MPa to form tiles of desired shapes and sizes; drying the tiles so formed at a temperature of 100-120.degree. C.; firing the dried tiles at a temperature in the range of 1050-1250.degree. C. with a soaking for a period ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and polishing the resultant tiles.

Abstract: The present invention is ceramic article of stabilized zirconia wherein the stabilized zirconia has a molar ratio of rare earth oxide:zirconia of from 1:99 to 15:85, at a weight percent of from about 97 to 75. The ceramic article includes smectite clay from about 3 to 25 weight percent wherein the article is a mass of sintered particles having a continuous tetragonal phase having dispersed therein monoclinic phase particles having size of less than 100 nm.

Abstract: A ceramic particulate material which comprises particles having an irregular three dimensional surface profile having jagged projections and a median particle diameter of 200 micrometers or less, the particles being fractals produced by comminution of foamed ceramic material. The material may be such that in a sphere of rotation of the particle, from 30% to 80% of the volume of the sphere is void, the remainder being continuous solid material. The material may be produced by a process which includes providing a suspension of ceramic forming particles e.g., of an aluminosilicate such as clay, in a liquid medium; incorporating a gas in the liquid medium before or after formation of the suspension therein to produce a foamed suspension; extruding the foamed suspension; optionally drying the extrudate formed thereby; calcining the extrudate; and comminuting the calcined material, e.g. by crushing. The material may be used as a substitute for diatomite.

Abstract: A method of improving the strength and/or plasticity of a clay composition comprising a kandite clay and an organic additive comprising at least one water soluble compound having a plurality of basic groups wherein the organic additive is present in an amount of from about 0.05% by weight to about 0.5% by weight based on the dry weight of the kandite clay present, which method comprises treating the kandite clay by adding thereto a monovalent ion activated smectite clay or a monovalent ion activating agent for a smectite clay or both whereby the amount of monovalent ion activated non-calcined smectite clay present in the clay composition is adjusted to be in the range from about 1% by weight to about 5% by weight based upon the dry weight of the kandite clay present.

Abstract: A red brick comprising waste foundry sand of 30.about.50 wt %, dusts of 5.about.10 wt %, and a remainder of clay. The waste foundry sand and dusts can be efficiently recycled, and the quantity of the sand used, the supply of which sand which is nearly exhausted, can be reduced. The heating temperature in the red brick manufacturing process is remarkably lowered, and the economical efficiency of the manufacturing process is improved greatly by using iron oxide included in dusts, instead of a chemical compound to obtain desired color.

Abstract: A ceramic and method of producing the same are disclosed, the ceramic having as principal ingredients natural zeolite and shells, wherein silver nitrate, magnesium oxide, potassium oxide, sodium oxide selenium oxide and ferric oxide are added thereto, and the resultant mixture fired to produce a granular ceramic. The granular ceramic enables the production of deoxidized water having an appropriately low oxidation reduction potential, for use as drinking water and the like.

Abstract: A granular ceramic is prepared by firing a powder of a natural zeolite mineral, a pre-fired powder composed of shell fragments, a pre-fired powder of a silica-alumina mineral, and a copper oxide powder. When used as a fuel additive, the ceramic makes it possible to improve the combustion efficiency of hydrocarbon oils, especially of petroleum products such as gasoline, gas oil kerosene, and heavy oil, as well as to reduce CO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x emissions in exhaust gases discharged during combustion.

Abstract: Amorphous derivatives of kaolin group minerals characterized by high specific surfaces and/or high cation exchange capacities and a .sup.27 AL MAS NMR spectrum having a dominant peak at about 55 ppm relative to Al(H.sub.2 O).sub.6.sup.3+. Such derivatives are prepared by reacting a kaolin group mineral with a reagent, such as, an alkali metal halide or an ammonium halide which converts the majority of the octahedrally coordinated aluminum in the kaolin group mineral to tetrahedrally coordinated aluminum. Such derivatives show high selectivity in its cation exchange towards the metals: Pb.sup.2+, Cu.sup.2+, Cd.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, CO.sup.2+, Cr.sup.3+, Sr.sup.2-, Zn.sup.2+, Nd.sup.3+ and UO.sub.2.sup.+.

Abstract: Kaolin clay materials containing discoloring impurities can be beneficiated by microwave irradiation in the presence of water and a polyprotic acid component to produce a beneficiated kaolin clay material having improved color and brightness.

Abstract: Intercalates formed by contacting a layered material, e.g., a phyllosilicate, with an intercalant monomer having a hydroxyl and/or an aromatic ring functionality to sorb or intercalate the intercalant monomer between adjacent platelets of the layered material. Sufficient intercalant monomer is sorbed between adjacent platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 5 .ANG. (as measured after water removal to a maximum of 5% by weight water), up to about 100 .ANG. and preferably in the range of about 10-45 .ANG., so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated into individual platelets. The intercalated complex can be combined with an organic liquid into a viscous carrier material, for delivery of the carrier material, or for delivery of an active compound; or the intercalated complex can be combined with a matrix polymer to form a strong, filled polymer matrix.

Abstract: Plasticized inorganic powder batches comprising a cellulosic binder, water, and at least one inorganic powder exhibiting relatively high water affinity are compounded by combining the inorganic powder, prior to any contact with the water or cellulosic binder, with an organic surface treatment agent to decrease the water affinity thereof; subsequent mixing of the treated powder with the water and the cellulosic binder forms a plasticized inorganic powder batch with improved extrusion, molding, or other shaping characteristics.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a glassy sintered body and to effectively reuse scrapped glass.The glassy sintered body of the present invention is made by preparing a raw material of the body by adding ceramic clay to glass as a main element so as to adjust the amount of water and kneading the glass and the clay, forming the raw material into a prescribed form, and sintering the formed material.

Abstract: A method of forming powdered metakaolin for use as an additive in cement based materials comprising the steps of calcining kaolin so as to reduce the hydroxyl content thereof to produce a meta-stable material have an identifiable amorphousness, and pulverizing the meta-stable material into a powder having a particle size of 50 microns or less.

Abstract: A method and composition of matter for balancing tire and rim assemblies of vehicles is disclosed wherein the composition of matter has rounded balancing elements of different sizes to line the interior of a tire casing and to move over the lining to offset points of imbalance.

Abstract: A synthetic clay for ceramics is formed of 30-65 wt % of amorphous silica, 30-65 wt % of alumina trihydrate, and 2-20 wt % of at least one element selected from a group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite, and bentonite. The clay may have a slurry form, partially dehydrated form, or mass or dry powder. The synthetic clay is comparable or even superior to natural clay in plasticity, water retentivity and capability of forming water film. The synthetic lay is useful for ceramic industry or pottery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and novel method of preparing and sculpting a fireable ceramic mixture and to the novel mixture itself, which comprises generally of adding cellulose fibers, that can be obtained from recycled or other papers to a liquid slip clay, resulting in a product mixture that is much lighter in weight and has stronger green strength. This resulting product mixture allows its use wet and/or dry and with the ability to vary the maturing temperature as desired.

Abstract: A whiteware ceramic composition is provided comprising a filler, 4 to 10% by weight of a flux having a median particle size of below 6 microns, a prefired ceramic material milled separately from the other components, and raw clay constituting from 5 to 20% by weight of the composition. Fired whiteware made by firing the composition of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganism and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel ceramic mass or material and the use of same in the building materials industry for manufacturing bricks, ceramic stones, roofing tiles, large block and the like. A formable ceramic mass is prepared by mixing clay, a filler such as sand, calcium hydroxide, which can be in the form of slaked lime, and an aqueous solution of solidification activating agent. The formable mass is then shaped, e.g. by plastic moulding into uncured building elements which are in turn subjected to heat treatment, including a preliminary drying, a thermal treatment in a saturated vapour atmosphere, and a subsequent further heating and drying with a gradual lowering of moisture content. The preliminary drying is carried out at a temperature of 60.degree.-70.degree. C. to reduce the moisture content to 12-14%. The thermal treatment is performed at a temperature of 95.degree.-100.degree. C.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganism and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganism and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganisms and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor is supplied with fuel, oxygen-containing gas, and kaolinite, which contains water of crystallization. At least 80% by weight of the kaolinite have particle sizes in the range from 0.1 to 3 mm. A fluidized bed at temperatures in the range from 850.degree. to 950.degree. C. is formed in the fluidized bed reactor. A meta-kaolin white pigment which contains water of crystallization not in excess of 2% by weight is withdrawn from the fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a method of forming refractory linings for maintaining refractory linings against attack by corrosive materials such as those present in steel manufacture. The method entails spraying an aqueous mixture of a refractory composition that includes at least one refractory material onto the working surface of a refractory lining. Spraying is performed to provide one or more layers of the refractory composition on the refractory lining after each exposure of the lining to corrosive materials such as those incurred in steel manufacture.

Abstract: A corundum porcelain composition containing from 60 to 94% by weight of a component A and from 6 to 40% by weight of a component B, wherein component A contains from 0 to 70% by weight of alumina, from 20 to 70% by weight of clay material, from 10 to 50% by weight of glass formers and from 0 to 30% by weight of quartz, and component B comprises comminuted broken porcelain, the chemical composition of the mixture of the components A and B comprises from 20 to 75% by weight of SiO.sub.2, from 15 to 80% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and from 2 to 10% by weight of flux selected from the group consisting of K.sub.2 O, Na.sub.2 O, FeO, MgO, CaO, Li.sub.2 O; BaO, SrO, ZnO and fluoride, and the comminuted broken porcelain has a mean particle size between 25 and 800 .mu.m, useful, for example, in sintered bodies, such as insulators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porcelain with a transparency and strength properties of a hard porcelain, characterized by a phosphate-containing glass phase as well as the predominance of unreacted quartz bodies [sic; grains] in the matrix. The invention relates to a porcelain batch composition as well as to a method for the manufacture of the porcelain.

Abstract: A dry mixture of (a) powdered or ground smectite and/or a smectite-containing natural rock, wherein the smectite is in an inactive state, (b) 1-10% by weight of a water-soluble polymer and (c) 0.8-6.0% by weight of a powdered activating agent can be combined with soil and water to provide a gel which is a barrier composition. The mixture may additionally contain a diluting agent, so as to form a dry blend, where the blend may likewise be combined with soil and water to provide a gel which is a barrier composition. The blend may be used to provide for water-tight insulation of vasins, damps and other objects exposed to damaging effects of water, and may also be used as a sealing for deponies, as a protecting layer for articles exposed to acidic liquids, and as a filling agent for cavities and cracks on articles exposed to water.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganism and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to shorten the working time for high pressure slip casting. There is provided a composition for high pressure casting slip including a first starting powder forming a frame of a mold body and second starting powder forming the frame of the mold body and acting as a plastic agent, wherein the first and second starting powders are uniformly mixed in a dry condition. "Slip" of a minimum water content is easily prepared by the composition to effect optimal fluidity of the slip so that the water is removed from the slip in a short time during a casting process.

Abstract: The present invention has disclosed raw materials for producing color ceramic products, which is prepared by using V-bearing titanomagnetite tails obtained after ore dressing as base material with a given proportion of additives and with or without coloring agents. The total content of Fe, Ti, Co, and Ni in said base material is in a range of about 3-45% by weight. The raw materials of the present invention have the advantages of no free iron and soluble vanadium compounds contained therein, thus when they are used to produce ceramic products, they can be sintered in a wide temperature range within shorter time. The products produced therefrom have the advantages of higher strength and hardness, lower water absorption, higher corrosion resistance, and stable tints. Products with a variety of sorts and various colors can be produced by using the raw materials of the present invention.

Abstract: A slurry composition is described, which comprises 100 parts by weight of a raw mineral material for white ware and/or a raw mineral material for advanced ceramics, from 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of a re-dispersible resin powder, and water. A shaping using the slurry composition and a fired body are also described.

Abstract: A method for making a high strength porcelain for use as an insulator or a structural ceramic, comprising:A) forming a mixture comprising alumina, clay and a fluxing material;B) forming the mixture into a shaped article; andC) firing the shaped article.

Abstract: A process for preparing an iron-manganese colorant, from an aqueous media containing metal ions, having an effective amount of iron and manganese present to impart color to building materials is disclosed.

Abstract: Pigments for use in paper are comprised of structured aggregate clays which are reaction products of kaolin clays and colloidal silicas. Silica modified clays of low treatment level can under certain high-shear mixing conditions be attritioned back to their starting clay particle size consequently yielding silica coated clay particles that provide unique properties. Also provided are structured aggregate clay products produced by the reaction of kaolin clay, colloidal silicas and spacer particles such as titanium dioxide, which products have improved porosity and light scattering characteristics. Also provided are clay slurry products which comprise mixtures of the reaction product of kaolin clay and colloidal silica, and optionally titanium dioxide, blended with other clay products.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganism and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in the method for producing a calcined kaolin clay powder for use in paper manufacture, by the steps of wet beneficiating a kaolin crude, drying the beneficiated crude, milling the dried beneficiated crude to provide a calciner feed, and calcining the feed to destroy the crystallinity thereof and provide an amorphous calcined kaolin powder. According to the improvement, the dried beneficiated crude is milled and classified to provide a calciner feed having substantially no +325 mesh residue, and not greater than 0.0003% by weight +635 mesh residue. This enables lowered abrasion in the calcined powder, and lowered viscocity in the slurried calcined powder product to thereby enable a higher solids slurry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of a layered, clay-like material starting from a silicon oxide containing material in a finely divided state by reacting a glass phase containing material at a pH from 5 to 8, in the presence of water, with a source of layer-forming metal ions and an activator for the formation of clay under atmospheric conditions to obtain a material with a stable structure. Preferably aluminium and/or magnesium ions are employed as layer-forming metal ions. Furthermore, according to a suitable embodiment, boron glass or cullet is employed as a material containing silicon oxide. The conversion of the mixture of materials into a substance having an ordered structure takes place preferably at a pH of approximately 7 and a temperature of 30.degree.-45.degree. C., in which the starting materials appropriately have a particle size of approximately 100 microns. An activator for the formation of clay is added to accelerate the process of conversion.

Abstract: A porcelain having 9 to 55% by weight of SiO.sub.2, 36 to 87% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0 to 2.0% by weight of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0 to 1.0% by weight of TiO.sub.2, 0 to 0.5% by weight of CaO, 0 to 0.5% by weight of MgO, 1.0 to 4.0% by weight of K.sub.2 O and Na.sub.2 O combined, and 0.25 to 25.0% by weight of bismuth oxide is disclosed. The porcelain has unexpectedly high unglazed bending strength and may be used for dielectric and structural applications.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a aggregated composite pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by contacting a substantially dry fine particle size mixture of kaolin and one or more additional feed minerals with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then recovering the aggregated composite pigment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porcelain with a transparency and strength properties of a hard porcelain, characterized by a phosphate-containing glass phase as well as the predominance of unreacted quartz grains in the matrix. The invention relates to a porcelain batch composition as well as to a method for the manufacture of the porcelain.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a layered composite pigment comprising a first pigment particle having a charge of one sign and a second pigment particle having a charge of opposite sign to said one sign. The first pigment particle is an inorganic pigment particle. The first inorganic pigment particle has adsorbed on its surface an organic polymeric dispersant. The dispersant is selected from the group consisting of (a) an anionic or cationic polyelectrolyte dispersant; (b) a cationic synthetic latex having dispersant functionality; and (c) a cationic water-soluble binder having dispersant functionality. The dispersant is adsorbed onto the surface of the inorganic pigment particle in an amount effective to disperse the inorganic particle in an aqueous medium. The second pigment particle is selected from the group consisting of (a') an anionic or cationic synthetic latex particle or swollen binder particle which said swollen binder particle has a particle size greater than 0.

Abstract: A civil engineering and construction fibrous reinforcing material having a metal oxide, metal hydroxide, and metal hydroxy-oxide fast deposited on a fibrous substance is practically useful as a substitute for asbestos. This material is produced by immersing the fibrous substance in a mixed solution of a metal salt and a solvent. Civil engineering and construction materials having the fibrous reinforcing material incorporated in inorganic refractory substances are used in the form of sheet-molded plates, for example.

Abstract: A process for preparing red ceramic molded bodies by rapid firing is disclosed, wherein low Si-content iron oxides are employed. The process produces molded bodies having improved colouristic properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel metakaolin pigments which are characterized by a unique combination of exceptionally high brightness and exceptionally low abrasion along with the excellent hiding power equal to that achieved by premium conventional calcined kaolin pigments. The invention relates also to a method of producing such metakaolin pigments by subjecting relatively coarse high purity and high crystallinity kaolin booklets to highly intensive media grinding to generate fine kaolin particles of reduced crystallinity, and calcining the ground particles while limiting calcination temperature and time such as to form metakaolin.