Abstract: Modified mineral fillers, derived from either a coarse particle kaolin clay or a coarse particle ATH, having excellent utility in thermoset polymers as low paste viscosity fillers are disclosed. The method of treatment involves the use of specific weight ratio combinations of a silane and a long chain aliphatic alcohol. The treatment of clay can also involve the auxiliary use of a surfactant in small amounts, which is utilized to emulsify the silane and aliphatic alcohol treatment components in water either individually or as a co-emulsion blend prior to their addition to the clay. The surfactant, which is preferably a nonionic surfactant having a HLB value of 12-18, aides in uniformly treating all the clay particle surfaces with the silane/alcohol treatment combination. Coarse particle clays having general utility in the invention are those having an average Stokes equivalent particle diameter of at least 3.

Abstract: A fire retardant coating composition for lignocellulosic materials which comprises expandable graphite particles, a absorbent material, a polymeric binder, a carbonific material, a blowing agent, and a wetting agent. The expandable graphite particles include from about 20 to about 95% by weight of the combined amount of the expandable graphite particles and the absorbent material. The polymeric binder comprises from about 5 to about 50% by weight of the combined amount of the polymeric binder, the expandable graphite particles, and the solid absorbent material.

Abstract: A precipitated amorphous silica product particularly useful as a highly dispersible filler to elastomeric compounds, especially rubber passenger tire tread formulations. The invention has a CTAB specific surface area of about 10 m.sup.2 /g to less than 140 m.sup.2 /g; a multi-point BET surface area of about 50-261 m.sup.2 /g; a 5% pH value of about 5.0-8.5; a DBP oil absorption of about 160-310 cm.sup.3 /100 g; a linseed oil absorption of about 150-300 cm.sup.3 /100 g; a projected surface area of no greater than about 4000 nm.sup.2 ; and a pore volume ratio of pores ranging from 175 to 275 .ANG. in diameter to all pores less than 400 .ANG. in diameter of about 10% to less than 50%.

Abstract: Pigmented paper fibers of improved brightness and light scattering ability are produced by treating the pulp fibers with 0.1 to about 10 wt. % of a silica/alumina sulfate sol composition at a temperature of about 50 to 80.degree. C. and good agitation.

Abstract: The invention is a natural rubber compound containing a precipitated amorphous silica filter. The silica has a CTAB specific surface area of about 10 m.sup.2 /g to less than 140 m.sup.2 /g; a multi-point BET surface area of about 50-225 m.sup.2 /g; a 5% pH value of about 5.0-8.5; a DBP oil absorption of about 160-310 cm.sup.3 /100 g; a projected surface area of no greater than about 4000 nm.sup.2 ; and a pore volume ratio of pores ranging from 175 to 275 .ANG. in diameter to all pores less than 400 .ANG. in diameter of about 10% to less than 50%.

Abstract: Precipitated silica compositions, and methods for making the same, with improved dentifrice performance characteristics. In particular, precipitated silica compositions of the present invention have a 40% slurry viscosity build of less than approximately 20,000 centipoise and a 10% Brass Einlehner abrasion value of approximately 2.5 to 20.0 mg loss/100,000 rev. Precipitated silica compositions of the present invention also have reactor slurry average particle sizes (50%) of approximately 10 to 50 .mu.m. Methods for preparing precipitated silicas of the present invention include the steps of: (a) adding sodium silicate and a mineral acid to a reactor, thereby initiating a precipitation reaction between the reactor contents; and (b) subjecting the reactor contents to shearing forces as the reaction proceeds.

Abstract: An effective production method for silane-treated clays having exceptional reinforcing effects with respect to rubber, and compositions using these silane-treated clays are offered. With the silane-treated clay production method, a functional silane is predispersed or emulsified in water by means of a surfactant in order to mix the functional silane with kaolin clay and thereby uniformly surface-treat the kaolin clay with the functional silane. The surfactant should preferably be a non-ionic surfactant with an HLB value in the range of 8-18. The silane-treated clay formed by surface-treating kaolin clay by means of these functional silanes characteristically contains low residual levels of the non-ionic surfactants. The functional silanes can be either vinyl or sulfur functional silanes. The silane treated clays are useful as fillers or extenders in rubber compositions, particularly those employing silicas and/or carbon blacks.

Abstract: A precipitated silica composition which, when incorporated into a suitable dentifrice composition, the dentifrice composition exhibits an mPCR of about 103 to 124 and an RDA of about 88 to 102. The invention also provides a precipitated silica composition which, when incorporated into a suitable dentifrice composition, the dentifrice composition exhibits an mPCR to RDA ratio of greater than about 1.1.

Abstract: A flame retardant polyolefin composition comprises at least about 25% by weight magnesium hydroxide and, preferably, at least about 30%, at least about 5% by weight melamine and, preferably, at least about 20%, and at least about 0.5% by weight novolac and, preferably at least about 1%.

Abstract: A coarse particle kaolin clay is provided having an average Stokes equivalent particle diameter of about 4.5-6.0 microns, a BET surface area of about 8-11 m.sup.2 /g, and preferably having a median Malvern particle size of about 9.0-10.5 microns as determined by laser light-scattering measurement and a high aspect ratio preferably of about 12-14 as determined by Sphericity Model calculations. The coarse particle kaolin clay provides low viscosity build, good reinforcement properties and excellent surface finish qualities as a filler in thermoset composite materials, such as polyester molding compounds, and also provides excellent pigmenting properties in paints and industrial coatings.

Abstract: Defoaming formulations for aqueous systems are produced by treating silicates such as sodium magnesium aluminosilicates with a source of aluminum to provide an aluminum content therein in the range of 0.1 to 2.5 wt. %, preferable 0.3 to 1.2 wt. %, and forming a defoaming formulation from said aluminum treated silicate by hydrophobizing with a silicone fluid, and dispersing in oil and/or water to form a defoamer formulation.

Abstract: An improved finely divided rubber-reinforcing clay mineral composition can be produced by employing a hydrous kaolin clay surface treated with a functional silane, a methylene donor compound such as hexamethylenetetramine, and a multifunctional methylene acceptor such as resorcinol. A novel process of preparation is provided. The improved reinforcing, treated clay filler can be combined with natural or synthetic elastomer compositions which can be cured to elastomer products which have improved physical properties, such as modulus, tensile, tear, wear resistance and/or resistance to heat build-up.

Abstract: An improved finely divided rubber-reinforcing clay mineral composition can be produced by employing a hydrous kaolin clay surface treated with a functional silane, a methylene donor compound such as hexamethylenetetramine, and a multifunctional methylene acceptor such as resorcinol. A novel process of preparation is provided. The improved reinforcing, treated clay filler can be combined with natural or synthetic elastomer compositions which can be cured to elastomer products which have improved physical properties, such as modulus, tensile, tear, wear resistance and/or resistance to heat build-up.

Abstract: A synthetic alkali metal silicate pigment is modified with a source of a water soluble zirconium ion to form an oxy-hydroxy zirconium species precipitate on the pigment surface. The surface modified pigment is made by slurrying the pigment and reacting it with the source of a water soluble zirconium ion. The surface modified pigment provides improvements over conventional synthetic alkali metal silicate pigments in terms of optical properties, particularly in paper applications, and physical properties, particularly in rubber applications. The surface modified pigment is also useful as an extender or replacement for TiO.sub.2, a conventional synthetic alkali metal silicate such as a sodium-aluminosilicate pigment, a clay, a calcined clay or the like.

Abstract: A vacuum shell (10) defines an inner cavity (18) in which particulate materials are packed via vacuum pressure. In use, the vacuum shell (10) is positioned within the container (such as sack (16)), and the open end 15 of the shell 10 is brought into contact with a surface (such as platform (17 or 17')) such that a vacuum tight compartment is created. Particulate material is supplied through port (26 or 27) into the inner cavity (18) while vacuum pressure is applied. The particulate material is densified within the inner cavity (18) under the vacuum pressure, and when the volume/quantity of particulate is achieved, the vacuum pressure ceases, and the vacuum shell (10) is withdrawn from the container. To enhance filling, the filter media inside the vacuum shell (10) can be periodically pulsed with air or other suitable gases to remove particulate cakes from the filter material (22).

Abstract: A method for improving retention of filler in papermaking systems includes a split stream feed to either the head box or fan pump of a papermaking system. The split stream divides the pulp flow into two streams, one stream having a retention aid and filler added thereto. The retention aid and filler-containing stream is then added back to the other stream upstream of the fan pump or head box. Treating only a portion of the overall pulp flow with the filler/retention aid lowers retention aid consumption, improves paper product appearance and maintains or increases filler retention during papermaking.

Abstract: Smoothing surfaces of a substrate having a profile and irregular surfaces. According to one embodiment, a layer of fill material is applied to at least one surface of the substrate, wherein the fill material fills irregularities in the at least one surface. The layer of fill material is scraped from the at least one surface to provide a relatively smooth at least one surface.

Abstract: Dental compositions comprise an abrasive, a humectant material, water and a binder. The abrasive comprises sodium aluminosilicate product having a water demand of greater than 50 g water per 100 g product, and the dental compositions comprise a water to abrasive weight ratio greater than 1.

Abstract: An oilfield stuffing box 10 employs mating flange plates 15, 16 with bolt holes appreciably larger in diameter than the bolts employed to hold the flange plates together, thereby permitting lateral displacement between the two flange plates. The lateral adjustment permits the tubular stuffing box section 13 carried centrally on the upper plate 15 to be centrally positioned about a polished rod 12 extending between the two flanges. The lower plate 15 is preferably integral with a well head section 14, and is also provided with the large diameter bolt holes to double the range of permitted lateral adjustment. The relative size of the bolts, bolt holes, polished rod diameter and well head diameter are selected for optimum lateral adjustment with a minimum practical hole-to-bolt size differential. A static seal 22 between the two mating flange plates provides a leak-proof seal at any of the different lateral positions between the two flanged sections 13, 14.

Abstract: A temperature-activated polysilicic acid is prepared by heating an acidified aqueous alkali metal silicate. The temperature-activated polysilicic acid is used in the production of paper for improvement of retention and water removal.