Abstract: An organoclay composition comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with a combination of quaternary ammonium salts, said mixture comprising: mineral clay (a) comprising about 15 to about 60 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of sepiolite; mineral clay (b) comprising about 40 to about 85 wt. % based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of montmorillonite; an alkyl or alkenyl quaternary ammonium salt and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: An organoclay composition which is a mineral clay or mineral clay mixture that has been treated with at least organic quaternary ammonium compound and a synergist comprising (i) an amine salt of a trimer acid, and (ii) an amine salt of a monocarboxylic fatty acid. The monocarboxylic fatty acid may be (a) at least one saturated carboxylic acid; and/or (b) at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A drilling fluid for drilling gas or oil wells including: at least one oleaginous base fluid; at least one inorganic thixotropic agent; at least one of water or brine; at least one emulsifier; optionally at least one wetting agent; optionally at least one material which imparts alkalinity in the drilling fluid; optionally at least one weighting material; and a rheology modifying additive; wherein the rheology modifying additive, prior to addition to the drilling fluid, includes: (i) an amine salt of a trimer acid, the trimer acid having from about 30 to about 72 carbon atoms; and (ii) an amine salt of a monocarboxylic fatty acid, the monocarboxylic fatty acid having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, optionally wherein the monocarboxylic fatty acid includes at least one of: (a) at least one saturated carboxylic; or (b) at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Pre-exfoliated natural or synthetic, modified or unmodified layered materials are prepared by mixing layered materials with one or more plastics additives selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet light absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers, antioxidants, colorants, flame retardants, antimicrobials and fatty acid additives and melt extruding the mixture. The layered materials are for example modified or unmodified layered silicate clays. The galleries of the layered materials in the mixtures are expanded to a level of less than full exfoliation. The melt extruded mixtures of layered materials and additives are highly useful to prepare polymer nanocomposites.

Abstract: The present disclosure is aimed at flame retardant thermoplastic polymer compositions. The flame retardant compositions are advantageously antimony free. The compositions contain an effective flame retarding amount of a combination of one or more bismuth compounds selected from the group consisting of bismuth oxychloride, bismuth oxyfluoride, bismuth oxybromide, bismuth oxyiodide and bismuth oxynitrate and one or more organobromine flame retardants, for instance decabromodiphenyl ether (decabromodiphenyl oxide) or tris[3-bromo-2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propyl]phosphate. The thermoplastic polymer is for instance polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene/polyethylene copolymer or thermoplastic olefin. The present formulations advantageously contain no antimony trioxide and achieve V0 according to the UL 94 flammability test.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for sealing subterranean spaces such as natural or induced fractures, vugs or annular spaces. The composition is composed of a base fluid consisting of a soluble alkali silicate, a gas generating additive, water, solids, and a setting agent. The gas generating additive may be coated or uncoated. The gas generating additive may also be in the form of a slurry. In the case of coated additives, the coating may act as a retarder or an accelerator to the expansion and setting agent of the soluble alkali silica. Similarly, the choice of carrier fluid in a slurry may retard or accelerate the expansion and setting of the alkali silicate-based plug.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of at least one mixed mineral organoclay rheology additive in a liquid composition comprising at least one epoxy resin, the additive comprises or consists of a quaternary alkyl-ammonium salt treated mineral clay mixture prepared by forming an aqueous hormite clay slurry (a), forming an aqueous smectite clay slurry (b), combining the aqueous hormite clay slurry (a) with the aqueous smectite clay slurry (b) to form a combined clay slurry (c), treating the combined clay slurry (c) with one or more quaternary alkyl-ammonium salts, and separating the produced quaternary alkyl-ammonium salt treated mineral clay mixture from the aqueous medium. The invention also relates to a process for producing a mixed mineral organoclay rheology additive and the use of the thus produced additive as a thickening agent in liquid compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of at least one mixed mineral organoclay rheology additive, which comprises or consists of a quaternary alkyl-ammonium salt treated mineral clay mixture prepared by forming an aqueous hormite clay slurry (a), forming an aqueous smectite clay slurry (b), combining the aqueous hormite clay slurry (a) with the aqueous smectite clay slurry (b) to form a combined clay slurry (c), treating the combined clay slurry (c) with one or more quaternary alkyl-ammonium salts, and separating the thus produced quaternary alkyl-ammonium salt treated mineral clay mixture from the aqueous medium. The invention also relates to a process for producing a mixed mineral organoclay rheology additive and the use of the thus produced additive as a thickening agent in liquid compositions.