Abstract: A granule containing a high proportion of a mineral filler and a colorant pigment system in a thermoplastic binder, for blending with an end product thermoplastic in which the mineral filler and the colorant pigment is to be dispersed. The granule comprises 85% to 92% by weight of the granule of mineral particles, which is coated with one or more fatty acids having a carbon chain length of from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and the colorant pigment. The colorant pigment may be inorganic or organic or a mixture thereof. The balance of the granule by weight comprises a thermoplastic polymeric binder. The particle size distribution of both the mineral and the colorant particles is in accordance with the optimum particle packing equation to optimize packing of the particles in the granule. The ratio of mineral to colorant pigment to binder may be about 75:15:10 or about 0.1:89.9:10. The invention includes a granule with only a colorant pigment system.

Abstract: Paper coating composition comprising an engineered kaolin pigment containing stacks and platelets of unground coarse particles where greater than 96% by weight is less than 5 microns, of which some kaolinite books or stacks are concentrated in the greater than 1 micron size fraction; 88% to 95% by weight is less than 2 microns; 65% to 85% by weight is less than 1 micron; and 15% to 25% by weight is less than 0.25 micron. A first embodiment comprises particles with a shape factor between 7 and 9 which represents a significant number of stacks and some platelets. A second embodiment comprises particles with a shape factor of 11 or 12 which represents the presence of some stacks with a majority of platelets. The kaolin clay pigments form clay-water slurries of 69% solids or greater. As a coating, the composition gives a G.E. brightness between 88 and 94. The engineered pigment is processed so that the desired shape factor is met, which shape factor is equated to the aspect ratio or morphology of the pigment.

Abstract: Matte grade coated ink jet paper comprises a cellulosic substrate coated with a coating composition comprising a calcined kaolin clay particulate pigment comprising porous aggregates with a total pore volume of 0.60 cm.sup.3 /g to 2.00 cm.sup.3 /g, a narrow particle size distribution where about 90 weight % has an E.S.D. less than 2 microns a mean pore size less than 0.8 microns in diameter, and a cationic polymer with an average molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 5 million daltons which polymer acts as a dispersant in a precursor slurry and produces a net positive charge on the calcined clay pigment. This chemically treated clay pigment is used in a final coating formulation for the substrate to provide high printing ink density, printed and coating gloss, water fastness resistance, low wicking, and low bleeding on most ink jet papers.

Abstract: An improved form of calcium carbonate which is acid resistant to enable its use as a filler material in the making of neutral to weakly acidic paper, and a process for producing this acid-resistant calcium carbonate is provided. This acid-resistant calcium carbonate composition comprises calcium carbonate and at least about 0.1% to about 25% based on the dry weight of the calcium carbonate, of sodium silicate, together with at least 0.1% to about 25 percent, based on the dry weight of the calcium carbonate, of a weak acid, such as phosphoric acid, formic acid, fluoroboric acid, polyacrylic acid, or alum, or a mixture of weak acids, such as phosphoric acid and polyacrylic acid.