Abstract: Thioxotropic Fuller's earth clay minerals which are structurally double silica chains linked together through oxygen to form double-ribbed sheets held by aluminum and/or magnesium in octahedral coordination in an amphibole chain are vacuum dried and admixed with a stabilizing fluid, e.g., silicone fluid, to result in new, low moisture content thixotropic agents. The mineral products thus produced are superior thixotropes when compounded in plastics such as plastisols, adhesive sealants, coatings and other organic binder systems which are heat set or heat cured or moisture cured, and compliance coatings.The methods involve reducing the moisture content of Fuller's earth clay, e.g., attapulgite, by (1) heating it under vacuum at an elevated temperature, preferably between 100.degree. C. and 300.degree. C., or (2) heating it at an elevated temperature, preferably between 100.degree. C. and 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for producing an attapulgite clay which retains its thixotropic properties, but does not release gases upon being compounded and cured in organic binder systems, such as plastisol, and the resultant low moisture thixotrope. The method involves (1) reducing the moisture content of the attapulgite by heating it under vacuum at an elevated temperature, preferably between 100.degree. C. and 300.degree. C., or (2) reducing the moisture content of the attapulgite by heating it at an elevated temperature, preferably between 100.degree. C. and 350.degree. C., and adding a silicone fluid, to preserve its thixotropic properties.