Abstract: A layered lattice silicate in particulate form, such as kaolin, which contains naturally occurring organic material useful as a source of carbon or which contains an external source of carbon, is treated at elevated temperature in a hydrogen atmosphere to cause formation of silicon carbide at the surfaces of the particles. The product is an abrasive, useful in industrial products such as abrasive cleaners and sandpaper coatings, or as a filler for ceramics, elastomers and plastics.

Abstract: A mineral particulate is disclosed selected from the group consisting of metal carbonates, glass fibers and layered lattice silicates, comprising particles of said mineral, the surface of which have been modified by a polymer synthesized in situ in the presence of a reactive gas selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide; said particulate having a predetermined particle size distribution which substantially corresponds to the particle size distribution of the surface-unmodified feed particulate from which the product particulate is produced.

Abstract: A surface treated clay such as kaolin is prepared by a process in which the clay surface is preconditioned by treatment with gaseous hydrogen and then functionalized by reaction with a polymerizable organic moiety of an organic compound. The products are useful as fillers for rubber, resin, plastic, paper and the like.

Abstract: In the method for producing a low abrasion calcined kaolin clay pigment by providing a feed kaolin which is at least sufficiently fine that substantially 100% by weight of the particles are of less than 1 micrometer E.S.D., and heating said feed in a calciner to a temperature of at least 900.degree. C., and under conditions such that substantially none of said kaolin is heated to a temperature in excess of 1100.degree. C.; a reduction in the abrasivity of the calcined product is achieved by incorporating into the feed from 1 to 4% by weight of MgCO.sub.3 and/or Mg(OH).sub.2.

Abstract: A method of producing a mineral such as calcium carbonate, glass fibers and layered lattice silicates which is surface modified with an organic material wherein said mineral in substantially dry, particulate form is contacted with an organic monomer, co-monomers or a prepolymer, and surface polymerization or reaction in situ on the mineral is carried out in the presence of gaseous carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method of producing a calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate or calcium-magnesium carbonate which is surface modified with an organic material wherein the carbonate in substantially dry, particulate form is contacted with an organic monomer, copolymers or a prepolymer, and surface polymerization or reaction in situ on the carbonate in the presence of a gaseous hydrogen atmosphere is effected. In the case where the carbonate has been wet processed and residues of a dispersing agent employed remain as a coating on the carbonate particles after drying, a minor amount of a calcined kaolin or TiO.sub.2 is used as a polymerization catalyst. When the carbonate has been dry ground so that the particles are free from processing chemicals, no catalyst is needed to initiate the polymerization.

Abstract: A method is described in which a layered lattice silicate is surface modified with an organic material by reacting said layered lattice silicate in particulate form with a reactant system comprising gaseous NH.sub.3 at temperatures below about 1000.degree. C. and contacting the aminated silicate in particulate form with an organic compound selected from the group of monomers, co-monomers, prepolymers and compounds condensable with the amine group, such as a nylon precursor, in the presence of gaseous hydrogen. The surface modified silicates are useful as fillers in a filled polymer system comprising a matrix polymer and a filler.

Abstract: A method of producing a layered lattice silicate which is surface modified with an organic material wherein said silicate in substantially dry, particulate form is contacted with an organic monomer, co-monomers or a prepolymer, and surface polymerization or reaction in situ on the silicate in the presence of a gaseous hydrogen atmosphere is effected.

Abstract: A method for chlorinating the surface of a layered lattice silicate to produce a reactive chloride intermediate. The layered lattice silicate is reacted in substantially dry particulate form with a reactant system capable of forming bound chloride moieties at its surface, to form the said chloride thereof, the reaction being conducted at temperatures below that which would otherwise substantially alter the starting composition.

Abstract: A surface treated clay such as kaolin is prepared by a process in which the clay surface is preconditioned by treatment with gaseous hydrogen and then functionalized by reaction with a polymerizable organic moiety of an organic compound. The products are useful as fillers for rubber, resin, plastic, paper and the like.

Abstract: Directly aminating the surface of a 2-dimensional layered lattice silicate comprising reacting the lattice silicate in particulate form with gaseous NH.sub.3 at temperatures below 100.degree. C. to form bound NH.sub.2 groups at the surface, the resulting modified 2-dimensional layered lattice silicate and a filled resin system employing the thusly modified silicate.