Abstract: Organically modified clays are advantageously prepared in a direct addition, low moisture process by mixing clay, a cationic, organic material, and an optional dispersant under high pressure conditions such that the cationic organic compound substitutes for inorganic cations in the clay. Processing is preferably carried out in several separate stages under pressure conditions of at least 3,000 psi, and it is preferred that at least one of the processing stages takes place at a pressure of at least 8,000 psi.

Abstract: An organically modified clay comprises a smectite clay of the type having exchangeable, inorganic, cationic species therein, in which at least a portion of the inorganic cationic species have been substituted by a mixture of organic cations comprising X.sub.2 R.sub.2 N.sup.+ and XYR.sub.2 N.sup.+, wherein X is methyl, Y is benzyl and R is saturated alkyl. Also disclosed is a method for the fabrication of the modified clay.

Abstract: An organically modified clay is manufactured by a process wherein a clay having an exchangeable, cationic species therein is combined with a cationic organic material, subjected to a high confining pressure and mixed while under pressure so as to promote an ion exchange reaction whereby the cationic species is incorporated into the clay.

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.