Abstract: Compositions and methods of making urethane based nonionic associative thickeners are described herein. Uses of the nonionic associative thickeners are also described.

Abstract: A method for minimizing nanofiller agglomeration within a polymeric material includes the step of introducing the nanofiller at predetermined parameters into an extruder having the polymeric material therein. The nanofiller introduction is downstream of the area of the extruder wherein the polymeric material had been substantially melted and mixed. After the nanofiller introduction, the melted polymeric material has the nanofiller dispersed therewithin substantially without agglomerated nanofiller. Then the melted polymeric material having nanofiller dispersed therewithin exits the extruder before nanofiller agglomeration occurs.

Abstract: Selected smectites may be synthesized from a wide variety of components. Morphology, purity, size, and/or shape of the selected smectite may be controlled by mixing the clay smectite formatives, and selectively controlling the pH during mixing. The selected smectites may be used in any applications in which naturally occurring smectite may be used. The selected smectite may also be formulated into an organoclay.

Abstract: Nanocomposites may be produced by mixing dispersions of polymers and dispersions of clay minerals. After mixing, the dispersions may be destabilized with the addition of appropriate compounds. The flocculated solid material exhibits characteristics of a nanocomposite, such as exfoliation of the clay mineral platelets as indicated by x-ray diffraction analysis.

Abstract: Organoclays based on specific types of ester quats are found to be remarkably effective for use in preparing nanocomposites. These organoclays comprise the reaction product of a smectite clay and a quaternary ammonium compound (or “quat”) which comprises two esterified radicals hereinafter called a “diester quat”). The diester quat may be present in admixture with further quaternary ammonium compounds having esterified radicals, especially compounds having three esterified radicals (hereinafter “triester quats”); or compounds having a single esterified radical (hereinafter “monoester quats”). Where such a mixture of quats is used, the reaction is between the smectite clay and the quat mixture.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.

Abstract: An organoclay composition for gelling unsaturated polyester resin/monomer systems comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with an alkyl quaternary ammonium compound. The mineral clay mixture comprises two components: mineral clay (a) comprising greater than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and mineral clay (b) comprising less than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a smectite.

Abstract: An organoclay composition for gelling unsaturated polyester resin/monomer systems comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with an alkyl quaternary ammonium compound. The mineral clay mixture comprises two components; mineral clay (a) comprising greater than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and mineral clay (b) comprising less than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a smectite.

Abstract: An organoclay composition for gelling unsaturated polyester resin/monomer systems comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with an alkyl quaternary ammonium compound. The mineral clay mixture comprises two components; mineral clay (a) comprising greater than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and mineral clay (b) comprising less than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a smectite.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.

Abstract: In the method for preparing a nanocomposite by intercalating a smectite clay with a quaternary ammonium ion, and exfoliating the intercalated clay into a polymer matrix; an improvement is disclosed which augments exfoliation. The smectite clay is edge treated with negatively charged organic molecules prior to the exfoliation. For these purposes a high charge density anionic polymer such as a polyacrylate may be used.

Abstract: A stable aqueous pigment slurry and a process for preparing same. The slurry contains about 50 to 90 wt. %, based on the weight of the slurry, of a pigment such as titanium dioxide and about 0.2 to 3.0 wt. %, based on the weight of the slurry, of a smectite clay such as bentonite, hectorite or montmorillonite. Preferably, the pigment slurry also contains about 0.1 to 2.0 wt. %, based on the weight of the slurry, of a dispersant. The process involves admixing a pigment slurry and a smectite clay slurry and preferably also the dispersant by milling the three components together under high shear conditions.

Abstract: An oil base environmentally benign drilling fluid composition having a stable high viscosity and high gel strength at use temperatures of up to at least 450.degree. F. The drilling fluid includes a low toxicity biodegradable oil vehicle, and as a viscosifying agent an organoclay which is the reaction product of a mineral clay mixture and an alkyl quaternary ammonium salt. The mineral clay mixture comprises at least 50% by weight of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and substantially the balance of the mixture is a smectite. Conventional additives such as emulsifiers and fillers may also be present in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing an aqueous clay slurry having superior gellation properties. The process involves the bead milling of the clay in an aqueous medium for a period of about 0.5 to 20 minutes at an energy input level of about 44 to 146 kilowatt-hours per metric ton of dry clay. The milling may carried out using any suitable horizontal or vertical sand mill or ball mill such as the "Morehouse Cowles Sandmill" or the "Polymill" containing a grinding medium such as zirconium silicate or zirconium oxide. The clay is preferably a smectite clay such as montmorillonite and is present in the slurry in the range of about 3 to 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the slurry. The aqueous clay slurry is useful as a rheological additive in water-based coating formulations.

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a chain transfer agent which is a thiol, .alpha.-methylketone, .alpha.-methylalcohol or a halogen compound are useful agents for use in the processes for the preparation of thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and a branched chain quaternary ammonium compound are useful self-activating and self-dispersing additives to liquid organic systems such as grease and ink formulations. Also included are grease and ink formulations using these organoclay compositions.

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound having one or two alkoxylated chains containing 0-10 moles ethylene oxide and 3-15 moles of propylene or butylene oxide residues are useful thixotropic materials, especially for the preparation of aqueous systems.

Abstract: Unusually high loading levels of smectite minerals are found to provide excellent pigment spacing in aqueous-based coatings, as will enable desired improved hiding, thereby extending the pigment. The level of smectite used in accordance with the invention is sufficiently high that the high gelling efficiency smectites previously used as thixotropes would be inappropriate, and would yield viscosities so high as to render the aqueous coating composition lacking in desired flowability properties. Thus in accordance with the present invention, there is mixed with the aqueous carrier and pigment at least 0.5% by weight of the total composition, of a particulate water swellable smectite which has a gelling efficiency such as to display a 20 rpm Brookfield viscosity of less than 900 cps when subjected to the standard gelling test herein, with the amount of the smectite in the composition not exceeding that which would raise the viscosity of the composition above 110 Krebs Units (KU).

Abstract: Organoclay compositions which comprise the reaction product of a smectite-type clay having an ion exchange capacity of at least 50 meq. wt. per 100 g. clay (active basis), and an alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compound having one or two alkoxylated chains containing 0-10 moles ethylene oxide and 3-15 moles of propylene or butylene oxide residues are useful thixotropic materials, especially for the preparation of aqueous systems.

Abstract: A method for preparing a time-stable, low viscosity, pumpable high solids aqueous bentonite slurry which has good application properties upon dilution and use. An aqueous solution of at least first and second salt components is prepared in which there is dispersed at least 8% by weight of the resultant slurry of a powdered bentonite. The first salt component is selected to give if used alone an acceptably low viscosity to the slurry at said high solids and at least good application properties upon the dilution and use. The second salt component is selected to act in combination with the first salt component to substantially further decrease the acceptably low viscosity at a specified high solids content or to enable increase of the solids content while maintaining the acceptably low viscosity, while not substantially impairing the application properties. The high solids pumpable slurry product is also claimed.