Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure suitable for particulate filters, having an inlet face and an outlet face, comprising a plurality of inlet cells and a plurality of outlet cells extending through the structure from the inlet face to the outlet face, the inlet cells being open at the inlet face and closed where adjoining the outlet face, and the outlet cells being open at the outlet face and closed where adjoining the inlet face. The inlet and/or outlet cells are quadrangular in cross-section and are arranged in an alternating pattern; the outlet cells may have a cross-sectional area generally smaller than that of inlet cells and no point of a given inlet cell is closer to an adjacent inlet cell than to an adjacent outlet cell. A process for preparing the ceramic honeycomb structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are granulated kaolin compositions exhibiting at least one of improved material handling properties, low dusting during transit, easy make-down into mineral-water slurries, and requiring less energy to produce than spray dried kaolin products. The granulated kaolin compositions may, in one embodiment, be characterized by a moisture content ranging from about 12% to about 23% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the granulated kaolin compositions may have an average granule size of greater than about 10 mesh. Also disclosed herein are granulated kaolin compositions having a moisture content ranging from about 12% to about 23% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, wherein the composition is friable when subjected to a shear force.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an apparatus for measuring shape factor is provided, wherein the method comprises determining aspect ratios for each of a plurality of kaolin samples and measuring the shape factors of each of the plurality of kaolin samples using the apparatus, wherein each of the kaolin samples includes potassium oxide in an amount less than about 0.1% by weight of each of the kaolin samples. The method further includes calibrating the apparatus based on a correlation between the aspect ratios and the shape factors.

Abstract: The present invention describes polymer compositions comprising fluoroelastomer and expanded perlite and uses thereof.

Abstract: A water-based paint composition may include at least one mineral treated with at least one hydrophobizing agent. The at least one mineral may include at least one of clay, kaolin, mica, titanium dioxide, talc, natural or synthetic silica or silicates, feldspars, nepheline syenite, talc, wollastonite, diatomite, barite, glass, and calcium carbonate. The at least one hydrophobizing agent may include at least one of fatty acids, fatty amines, and silanes. A method of making water-based paint may include treating at least one mineral with a hydrophobizing agent, and combining the at least one treated mineral with a binder.

Abstract: A composition for cleaning teeth may include natural glass, wherein the natural glass has a top particle size (d90) less than 50 ?m and a median particle size (d50) less than 30 ?m, and wherein the natural glass ranges from 0.1 percent to 20 percent by weight of the composition. A natural glass composition may have a top particle size (d90) less than 50 ?m, a median particle size (d50) less than 30 ?m, and exhibit an RDA value less than 220. The composition for cleaning teeth may include a toothpaste base.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flexible bulk storage container having a selectively openable discharge chute for improved emptying. When loaded, the bulk storage container has substantially flat top and bottom surfaces to facilitate stacking.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aqueous suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate material, the method comprising a step of microfibrillating a fibrous substrate comprising cellulose in an aqueous environment in the presence of an inorganic particulate material.

Abstract: The present invention describes clear coating compositions comprising a particulate inorganic mineral, wherein the d50 of the particulate inorganic mineral is less than about 1 ?m, and wherein the mineral includes a kandite clay.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rubber composition comprising a rubber and particulate kaolin clay as a filler wherein: the kaolin particles have a particle size distribution such that at least about 95% of the particles, relative to the volume of the particles, have a particle diameter less than 3?m. The particulate kaolin particles may comprise calcined kaolin chosen from at least one of particulate soak calcined kaolin and particulate flash calcined kaolin. The rubber composition can comprise additional particulate fillers including those chosen from silica, carbon black, and other particulate fillers. Also disclosed herein is a process for producing such a composition, and the method of using a cured form of the composition in a rubber composition, such as a vehicle tire composition.

Abstract: A process for producing a porous ceramic body comprises a) mixing a coated porogen with a silicate or an oxide ceramic precursor, wherein the porogen is decomposable to gaseous decomposition products and optionally solid products upon heating, and is coated with a coating agent; b) forming a green body from the mixture obtained in step (a); and c) firing the green body obtained in step (b) to obtain the ceramic body, whereby the porogen decomposes to form pores within the ceramic body and the coating agent is deposited at the inner surface of the pores. The porogen is coated with a coating agent which, upon firing, is deposited at the inner surface of the ceramic pores, so that porous ceramics having decreased weight and improved porosity are obtained, while maintaining at the same time good mechanical strength. A green body and a porous ceramic body obtainable with the above-mentioned process are described too.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are kaolin compositions, such as beneficiated fine sedimentary kaolin compositions. The beneficiated fine sedimentary kaolins may be obtained from the upper bed of the Rio Capim Kaolin deposit. The compositions may have at least one property chosen from a low iron content and low Hinckley crystallinity index, such as Fe2O3 in an amount less than about 0.8% by weight relative to the total weight of the solids content and wherein the Hinckley crystallinity index of the kaolin is less than about 0.5. Also disclosed are products obtained therefrom, such as paint and paper coating compositions.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aqueous suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate material, the method comprising a step of microfibrillating a fibrous substrate comprising cellulose in an aqueous environment in the presence of an inorganic particulate material.

Abstract: A method of grinding a particulate material, comprising grinding said material in a stirred mill in the presence of a grinding media comprising rod-shaped particles, wherein said rod-shaped particles have an aspect ratio of equal to or greater than about 2:1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of calcining particulate material, such as kaolin. The method comprises providing a feed mixture comprising a particulate material, such as hydrous kaolin, wherein at least a portion of the particulate feed is coated with a liquid fuel. The method further comprises heating the particulate feed mixture to calcine the particulate feed and burn the liquid fuel to form a calcined product. The liquid fuel coating can act as a secondary, indirect heat source for calcining. The overall calcining temperatures and/or times can be reduced as a result of adding the liquid fuel.

Abstract: A coating composition may include a coating vehicle, kaolin having a d50 of not more than 2 microns, alkaline earth metal carbonate having a d50 of not more than 2 microns, and not more than 10% by weight titanium dioxide relative to the weight of the coating composition. A method for improving opacity of a coating composition may include adding kaolin and alkaline earth metal carbonate to the coating composition. A method for reducing titanium dioxide content of a coating composition and at least substantially maintaining opacity of the coating may include adding fine kaolin and fine alkaline earth metal carbonate to the coating composition, wherein a volume concentration ratio of the fine kaolin to the fine alkaline earth metal carbonate ranges between 0.5:1 and 10:1.

Abstract: A method for treating calcium carbonate includes combining calcium carbonate with an amount of stearic acid and an amount of water to form a mixture, the amount of water being at least about 0.1% by weight relative to the total weight. The method further includes blending the mixture to form a stearic acid-treated calcium carbonate composition.

Abstract: A method of making magnesium hydroxide may include calcining a mineral source of magnesium carbonate to form magnesium oxide, and slaking the magnesium oxide in water. When the mineral source of magnesium carbonate further includes a mineral source of calcium carbonate, the calcination may be carried out such that less than about 20 wt % calcium oxide is formed following calcining and prior to slaking in water.

Abstract: A method of preparing a steep particle size inorganic particulate material includes grinding an aqueous suspension of an inorganic particulate material having a solids content of less than 35% and including a sub-effective amount of a dispersant for the inorganic particulate material. The method may further include dewatering the aqueous suspension to a solids content of at least 50% and dispersing the dewatered aqueous suspension by adding an additional amount of dispersant, and wherein, after grinding, the inorganic particulate material has a steepness factor above 35.

Abstract: A particulate product comprising kaolin produced from a method wherein the kaolin of a feed suspension is such that not more than 30% by weight has a particle size less than 2 ?m and not more than 30% by weight has a particle size greater than 10 ?m, wherein the kaolin of a product suspension produced is such that not more than 10% by weight has a particle size greater than 10 ?m and not more than 10% by weight has a particle size less than 0.25 ?m, and wherein the particulate product comprises kaolin produced from a fine fraction suspension.