Abstract: A smectite clay is provided as an elevated solids aqueous slurry e.g. up to 50% solids, which is composed of the smectite clay slurried or dispersed in water containing an effective concentration of a monovalent salt. When such a salt is present in the clay slurry, the clay does not swell appreciably, is essentially inactive, and the slurry can be shipped and stored without creating a gelling problem. When this slurry is diluted with fresh water at the point of application to make it of the desired solids content for use, the smectite clay is activated and exhibits the desired properties, such as viscosity, retention, etc.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a crude bentonite ore such that it can be used advantageously to prepare unusually high aqueous solution viscosities. This sequence comprises initially subjecting the crude ore to a working or shearing stage, followed by a drying step to about a 5% moisture level. Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is then dry-blended with the material, and the sequence is completed by subjecting the mix to a pulverizing step.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay as a pumpable slurry, to high-speed fluid shear, prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound.

Abstract: In the process for preparing an organoclay by reacting a smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound, the gelling properties of the organoclay are enhanced by reducing the average particle size of the clay prior to the reaction thereof with the quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quarternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay as a pumpable slurry, to high-speed fluid shear, prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a sodium smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay to high energy pugmilling prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound. This is preferably effected by passing the clay at 25 to 40 weight percent moisture content, through a pugmill which imparts at least 20 HP/hrs/ton of energy to the clay, after which the clay is subjected to the prior art processing.

Abstract: A thixotropic cross-linkable unsaturated polyester composition is provided. The composition comprises an aromatic unsaturated monomer having an amount of an organoclay dispersed therein. The organoclay comprises the reaction product of a smectite type clay and quaternary ammonium compounds. The latter are an admixture of (a) a dimethyl di(hydrogenated tallow) ammonium compound and (b) a dimethyl benzyl(hydrogenated tallow) ammonium compound. The organoclay has a quaternary ammonium compound to clay milliequivalent ratio, by weight, of at least 95, and more generally can be up to at least as high as 140, expressed on a 100% active clay basis. The cross-linkable unsaturated polyester further comprises a liquid unsaturated polyester mixed with the monomer. The amount of organoclay in the monomer and the amount of (a) and (b) are amounts sufficient to produce a cross-linkable polyester composition having a thixotropic index of at least about 2.5, and preferably of at least about 3.0.