Abstract: Mixed pillared clays having good thermal stabilities and high surface areas are prepared by liquid phase methods in which either (a) a discrete multi-metallic hydroxy polymer having a definite chemical formula is prepared prior to mixing with a swelling clay or (b) at least two separate metal hydroxy polymers are prepared and mixed with the swelling clay in respective amounts to satisfy selected percentages of the cationic exchange capacity of the clay.

Abstract: A structured kaolinitic pigment having improved physical and optical characteristics when incorporated as a filler in paper. The pigment is also useful in paper coating applications. The pigment consists of porous aggregates of kaolin particles which are chemically bonded together. The pigment may be produced by chemically reacting a particulate kaolin with a metal chloride, such as silicon tetrachloride. The process is conducted under conditions such that the kaolinite structure is not impaired.

Abstract: Organophilic clays which are effective fluid loss control additives for oil base well-working fluids are prepared from a swelling smectite clay and one or more phosphatides. Preferred phosphatides are phosphoglycerides obtained from vegetable oils, most preferably commercial lecithin such as soybean lecithin. The organophilic clays may also contain quaternary ammonium compounds.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the abrasiveness of calcined clay, e.g. kaolin clay. The method comprises contacting the clay prior to calcination with an aliphatic diol, preferably ethylene glycol, in an amount sufficient to reduce the abrasiveness of the calcined product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structured kaolinitic pigment having improved physical and optical characteristics when incorporated as a filler or coating pigment in paper. The pigment consists of porous aggregates of kaolin particles which are chemically bonded together. The pigment may be produced by chemically reacting a particulate kaolin with a metal chloride, such as silicon tetrachloride, and with urea or an organic amine. The process is conducted under conditions such that the kaolinite structure is not altered.

Abstract: A coated paper of improved optical and printing qualities, coated with a structured kaolinitic pigment. The pigment consists of porous aggregates of kaolin particles which are chemically bonded together. The pigment may be produced by chemically reacting a particulate kaolin with a metal chloride, such as silicon tetrachloride. The process for preparing the structured pigment is conducted under conditions such that the kaolinite structure is not impaired.

Abstract: A process is described in which a structured aggregated kaolin pigment is prepared by mixing substantially dry kaolin in particulate form with an aqueous alkali metal silicate to deposit on the surface of the kaolin particles a substantially molecular level of said silicate without formation of silica gel, drying the treated kaolin without calcination and exposing it to an acidic gas. The product is useful as a pigment in the coating or filling of paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for producing dispersions of vermiculite ore particles by intercalating organo-cation salts into the vermiculite structure under shearing conditions to delaminate the ore and reduce particle size in one step.

Abstract: A blended, stable ball clay/water slurry, wherein:1. the slurry comprises from about 58 to about 68 weight percent of ball clay, from about 42 to about 32 weight percent of water, from about 50 to about 650 parts per million (by dry weight of ball clay) of soluble sulfate ion, and from about 0.01 to about 1.0 percent of organic polyelectrolyte (weight of active ingredient by weight of dry ball clay) with a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 6000;2. the slurry, when freshly made has a five-minute gel viscosity of from about 1,000 to about 10,000 centipoise, a ten-minute gel viscosity of from about 2,200 to about 12,000 centipoise, and a twenty-minute gel viscosity of from about 3,500 to about 14,000 centipoise.

Abstract: At least two different ball clay/water mixtures are blended together to produce a ball clay/water slurry, wherein:1. the slurry comprises from about 58 to about 68 weight percent of ball clay, from about 42 to about 32 weight percent of water, from about 50 to about 650 parts per million (by dry weight of ball clay) of soluble sulfate ion, and from about 0.01 to about 1.0 percent of organic polyelectrolyte (weight of active ingredient by weight of dry ball clay) with a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 6000;2. the slurry, when freshly made has a five-minute gel viscosity of from about 1,000 to about 10,000 centipose, a ten-minute gel viscosity of from about 2,200 to about 12,000 centipoise, and a twenty-minute gel viscosity of from about 3,500 to about 14,000 centipoise.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aggregated kaolinitic pigment having improved physical and optical characteristics when incorporated as a filler or coating pigment in paper. The pigment may be produced by treating a particulate kaolin with an alkaline earth metal carbonate or hydroxide or alkali metal carbonate, and urea or an organic amine. The pigment consists of porous aggregates of kaolin particles.

Abstract: There is disclosed a organophilic composition which comprises a mixture of a smectite clay and a particulate second inorganic material, the mixture having been treated with a quaternary ammonium compound which is capable of rendering the smectite clay organophilic and the second inorganic material constituting at least 10% by weight of the mixture of smectite clay, second inorganic material and quaternary ammonium compound.The organophilic composition is useful for gelling organic solvents and compositions containing organic solvents.

Abstract: A method for chlorinating the surface of a layered lattice silicate to produce a reactive chloride intermediate. The layered lattice silicate is reacted in substantially dry particulate form with a reactant system capable of forming bound chloride moieties at its surface, to form the said chloride thereof, the reaction being conducted at temperatures below that which would otherwise substantially alter the starting composition.

Abstract: Stable vermiculite dispersions which are substantially free of settling and a method of preparing same are provided. The dispersion are obtained by treating the vermiculite platelets of which the dispersion is comprised with citrate anion. The citrate anion functions as a swelling agent for the vermiculite and enhances the rate and extent of swelling in an aqueous medium. The swollen vermiculite is delaminated by shearing to provide the inventive dispersions, which comprise a suspension of the delaminated platelets and citrate anion.

Abstract: There are disclosed gels composed of hydrated phyllosilicates combined with a lattice expanding agent selected from the group consisting of a primary aminocarboxy acid, lysine orotate, and glycylglycine. Both organic and inorganic additions, as well as ion exchange products, are disclosed. The gels, with or without the additions, may be polymerized and may be formed or shaped. Also disclosed are methods for generating the gels and for treating the gels generated.

Abstract: Organophilic clays, having enhanced dispersibility in organic systems are made by reacting a smectite type clay with a quaternary ammonium compound and a betaine type compound. These organophilic clays are useful for alteriing the rheological properties of organic systems.

Abstract: The use of pectins (or pectin-like materials) as an additive to clay to provide clay compositions of enhanced plasticity and stability is disclosed.

Abstract: An organoclay is prepared by mixing a quaternary ammonium compound with an aqueous suspension of a smectite clay in proportions such that there are present from 75 to 110 milliequivalents of quaternary ammonium cation per 100 g of dry smectite clay, thereafter subjecting the smectite clay/quaternary ammonium compound/water mixture to high shear mixing for a time sufficient to dissipate in the mixture at least 100 KJ of energy per kg. of dry solids in the mixture; and then dewatering the product thus obtained.

Abstract: Aqueous mineral slurries containing 10% by weight or more of finely divided mineral solids are flocculated prior to dewatering and/or thickening to obtain improved throughput and/or to reduce moisture in the dewatered product, by treating the slurries with polymers comprising at least about 1% by weight 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propyl sulfonic acid copolymerized with acrylamide and/or other suitable water-soluble monomers. The polymers must have a Brookfield viscosity of at least 7000 cps at 7.5% concentration in water. Flocculation of the mineral slurries with these polymers also provides improved re-dispersibility of the dewatered mineral in the filter cake. During redispersion, additional dry mineral may be added to obtain a final solids content as high as 70% or more. The Brookfield viscosity of the final high solids slurry comprising a significant portion of filter cake treated with the flocculants of this invention is not detrimentally affected.

Abstract: A highly bulked kaolin pigment is prepared by mixing a small but effective amount of a water-soluble cationic polyelectrolyte flocculant with a kaolin clay pigment in the presence of water to prepare a bulked clay pigment product. Upon dewatering, the resultant polyelectrolyte treated clay product can be dispersed to form high solids clay-water slurries useful in making aqueous coating colors suitable for manufacturing coating lightweight publication papers or the pigment can be used as a filler for paper webs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a product from a naturally occurring phyllosilicate, the method comprising the steps of:(a) exposing the phyllosilicate to a source of exchangeable cations to effect a change in the chemical makeup of the phyllosilicate interlayer by ion transfer;(b) exposing the ion-exchanged phyllosilicate to an expanding agent selected from the group consisting of a primary aminocarboxy acid, lysine orotate, and glycylglycine to expand the cell spacing and cause gel formation;(c) flocculating the gel;(d) forming a gel-floc interface; and(e) withdrawing the flocculated gel from that interface.

Abstract: A granule comprises an inner core, which is formed from a material which does not expand appreciably in the presence of organic compounds, and an outer shell formed from an organo-clay which is preferably held on the inner core with the aid of a binder.The granule can be prepared by tumbling a particle of the inner core material in admixture with a powdered organo-clay and a binder therefor. A particulate bed of the granules can be used for separating organic compounds from a mixture thereof with an aqueous medium.

Abstract: There are disclosed gels composed of hydrated phyllosilicates combined with a lattice expanding agent selected from the group consisting of a primary aminocarboxy acid, lysine orotate, and glycylglycine. Both organic and inorganic additions, as well as ion exchange products, are disclosed. The gels, with or without the additions, may be polymerized and may be formed or shaped. Also disclosed are methods for generating the gels and for treating the gels generated.

Abstract: Aqueous mineral slurries containing 10% by weight or more of finely divided mineral solids are flocculated prior to dewatering and/or thickening, and prepared for redispersion, by treating the slurries with polymers comprising at least about 1% by weight 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propyl sulfonic acid copolymerized with acrylamide and/or other suitable water-soluble monomers. The polymers must have a Brookfield viscosity of at least 7000 cps at 7.5% concentration in water. Flocculation of the mineral slurries with these polymers also provides improved re-dispersibility of the dewatered mineral in the filter cake. During redispersion, additional dry mineral may be added to obtain a final solids content as high as 70% or more. The Brookfield viscosity of the final high solids slurry comprising a significant portion of filter cake treated with the flocculants of this invention is lower than that of untreated material.

Abstract: An organoclay which is readily dispersible in an organic liquid composition, is prepared by suspending a smectite clay in water to form a fluid suspension; treating the suspension with a solution of an inorganic salt, the cation of which preferably has a valency of at least two, the concentration of the salt being such as to flocculate the smectite clay substantially completely; mixing the suspension of the flocculated smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium compound, at least one of the four alkyl groups of which has from 10 to 24 carbon atoms; and dewatering the resultant product.

Abstract: An organo-clay is prepared by mixing a quaternary ammonium compound with an aqueous suspension of a smectite clay; thereafter subjecting the smectite clay/quaternary ammonium compound/water mixture to high shear mixing for a time sufficient to dissipate in the mixture at least 100 KJ of energy per kg. of dry solids in the mixture; and then dewatering the product thus obtained.

Abstract: Phosphatic clay dispersions are modified by dispersing the phosphate matrix containing the clay in a dilute solution of selected acids prior to screening, sizing and other beneficiation operations.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the brightness (beneficiating) of kaolin clays by removing titanium impurities is disclosed. The claimed method is a selective flocculation process wherein clay solids are blunged (dispersed) in water together with a dispersing agent and an ammonium salt conditioning agent. When a water-dispersible anionic polymer is added to the dispersed and conditioned clay suspension, titanium flocs are separated from the suspension yielding a whiter kaolin clay product. Unlike prior art selective flocculation processes, the use of highly-dilute dispersions and/or multiple washing steps is not required.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a sodium smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay to high energy pugmilling prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound. This is preferably effected by passing the clay at 25 to 40 weight percent moisture content, through a pugmill which imparts at least 20 HP/hrs/ton of energy to the clay, after which the clay is subjected to the prior art processing.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting scale formation in aqueous systems using water-soluble, low molecular weight copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids is provided. Copolymers formed from about 30 to about 70 weight percent acrylic acid and from about 70 to about 30 weight percent methacrylic acid, having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 2000 to about 5000, are preferred for inhibiting the formation of common hardness ion salt scale such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and barium sulfate. The copolymers are hydrolytically stable and can be used effectively in high temperature applications. The copolymers are also effective dispersants for suspended inorganic particulate materials, such as clay, in aqueous systems.

Abstract: A method for dispersing inorganic materials in aqueous systems using water soluble, low molecular weight copolymers of acrylic acid is provided. Copolymers having a weight average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to about 5,000 formed from about 85 to about 97 weight percent acrylic acid and from about 3 to about 15 weight percent of a hydrophobic comonomer are provided for effective dispersion of suspended particulate matter, such as clay, and for inhibiting the precipitation of common hardness ion salts in aqueous systems. The most preferred copolymers have a weight average molecular weight of about 3,000 and are formed from about 95 weight percent acrylic acid and about 5 weight percent ethyl acrylate.

Abstract: A water swellable clay i.e. bentonite, hectorite, saponite or mixtures thereof, is slurried in water and contacted with a hydrogen ion exchange resin to replace a portion of the exchangeable sodium and other exchangeable cations with hydrogen, resulting in a hydrogen enriched, water swellable clay. It has been found that even the very low grade water swellable clays can be treated with the hydrogen ion exchange resin to provide a hydrogen enriched clay having reduced acid demand. The resulting clays have reduced acid demand for mixture in forming Magnesium Aluminum Silicate meeting specifications. Further, the resulting hydrogen enriched clay will not substantially flocculate or settle out of suspension in suspensions having a pH below about 6.0 and generally are useful in a suspension having a pH of about 2.0 to about 5.0 or about 2.0 to about 5.5 so that the modified clay can be used effectively as a suspending agent and as a viscosity modifying agent in water containing suspensions having a low pH.

Abstract: A method for continuously processing a kaolin clay which has relatively poor high-shear viscosity when prepared as a high-solids suspension, so as to obtain therefrom a fraction having a value of high-shear viscosity in high-solids suspension which is low relative to the starting clay, thereby being desirable for use in coating of paper. The method comprises the steps of forming the kaolin clay into a dilute aqueous suspension having from 10% to 20% solids by weight and forming said suspension into a continuous flow stream; mixing the stream of flowing suspension at a given point with from about 0.001% to 0.

Abstract: A method of processing naturally occurring kaolin clay wherein ion exchange resins are utilized to remove charged soluble impurities from the clay thereby eliminating the filtration step required in conventional clay beneficiation process. Further, by saturating the ion exchange resin utilized with a bleaching agent, ferric ions in the clay will be reduced to soluble ferrous ions and removed from the clay without the conventional acid leaching.

Abstract: Backfills for magnesium galvanic anodes are prepared by blending calcium sulfite, B(OH).sub.3, and bentonite, wherein the bentonite contains a substantial amount of alkaline earth metal bentonite, such as calcium-bentonite.

Abstract: A magnesium anode backfill composition is prepared by mixing calcium sulfite, bentonite, and at least one compound selected from the group comprising sodium alkylates and sodium dialkyldithiocarbamates, wherein said bentonite contains a substantial amount of alkaline earth metal bentonite, such as calcium-bentonite.

Abstract: A mixture of CaSO.sub.3 and bentonite, where the bentonite contains a substantial amount of alkaline earth metal bentonite, e.g., Ca-bentonite, is useful as a backfill composition for underground magnesium galvanic anodes. The backfill may optionally, and beneficially, contain sodium sulfite.

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.

Abstract: A method for treating a phyllosilicate mineral by grinding a slurry of particles of the mineral in an organic medium and the product formed thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a phyllosilicate mineral by grinding a slurry of particles of the mineral in an organic medium and the product formed thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: A stable calcined clay slurry and method of preparing the same are provided by adding to a calcined clay suspension containing at least 50% clay in aqueous medium about 0.30% to 0.49% by weight of anionic polymer and about 0.007% to 0.011% by weight of cationic polymer by weight in the slurry.

Abstract: Kaolin (clay) platelets in water are flocculated with an acid (pH 3.0) to form "structured agglomerates", which are stabilized by reacting with an urea-formaldehyde prepolymer. The urea-formaldehyde prepolymer forms polymeric agglomerated particles when it comes in contact with the catalytic, acidic kaolin "structured agglomerates." The urea-formaldehyde polymeric agglomerated particles cause adhesion or stabilizing of the structured kaolin agglomerates to form a three-dimensional network of "open structure" with a large number of microvoids (pores). The urea-formaldehyde polymer in the stabilized product varies from 5 to 95% by weight based on the total weight of the final product.The size of the primary particles of the urea-formaldehyde polymer is from 0.1 to 0.7.mu. (micron). The size of the kaolin platelets is from 0.1 to 10.mu. (microns). The structured agglomerates of kaolin-urea-formaldehyde possess a size ranging from 0.25 to 40.mu. (microns).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for beneficiating a kaolin clay pigment to improve the rheological properties of a high solids suspension subsequently formed therefrom. According to the method, a 10 to 20% solids aqueous suspension of a kaolin clay is subjected to a selective rheological separation, by mixing the suspension with from about 0.001% to 0.1% by weight of dry clay, of a high molecular weight anionic polymer, and allowing the thereby treated suspension to separate into a sedimented phase, and a supernatant phase which is substantially free of aggregates; and separating the supernatant phase containing the beneficiated kaolin pigment in suspension. The suspended product of the process can then be conventionally processed, as by reductive bleaching, floccing, filtering, washing, dispersing, and drying.

Abstract: Various clay substances, such as kaolin, can be reversibly deflocculated by treating the flocculant clay slurry with a deflocculating amount of a polymer having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n averages at least 4; M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonium, and alkanol amine groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are individually any chemically stable group which stabilizes the polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution. When the polymer depolymerizes, the clay slurry will reflocculate under agitated or quiescent conditions. The length of time that the slurry remains fluid depends on the pH, the concentration of the polymer, and the hydrolytic stability of the polymer.

Abstract: Aqueous refined kaolin clay slurries of reduced low shear viscosity are prepared by dispersing the clay under controlled pH conditions in water containing a combination of water-soluble citrate and water-soluble polyacrylate within a specified range of concentrations.