Abstract: Method of predicting optical properties and physical characteristics of coated paper or other sheet products for the purpose of formulating enhanced coating or sheet forming systems, and in particular to a method, which uses a diffusion approximation model derived from a radiative transfer theory employing various inputs of the properties and/or characteristics to predict coating or sheet system performance.

Abstract: A repulpable wax containing paper product consists essentially of a hot melt formulation with an effective amount of an inorganic mineral filler such as clay. The inorganic mineral filler is in an amount which permits the article coated with the hot melt—inorganic mineral filler formulation to be repulped and recycled.

Abstract: A structured boehmite pigment which comprises a plurality of alumina monohydrate particles. The pigment is particularly useful as a flatting pigment in paint and as an anti-block agent in plastic film. The boehmite pigment has an aggregate median particle size of about 8 to about 30 microns; a total pore volume of at least about 0.8 ml/g; a differential pore volume of less than about 0.3 ml/g; an oil absorption of about 70 to about 135 m/g; a BET surface area of about 3 to about 20 m2/g, and a TAPPI brightness of at least about 90.

Abstract: Processes for making high quality PCC compositions, and the resulting PCC products thereof. A precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) composition is prepared by a process comprising the step of wet media mill grinding an aqueous slurry of PCC made by carbonation of lime milk, with the grinding being done at a low solids content in a plurality of separate grinding stages, which can done while essentially free of the presence of organic dispersant. After the multi-stage wet grinding step, the ground PCC slurry is partially dewatered in the presence of an organic dispersant in a solid bowl centrifuge. Then, the partially dewatered PCC slurry is subjected, in the presence of an organic dispersant, to fluid shearing forces created in a rotor/stator type mixer. While these three steps are advantageously used together within a single PCC process flow for optimal effect, the individual steps also can be incorporated singly or in lesser combinations thereof into different PCC manufacturing schemes to beneficial effect.

Abstract: A coating composition for paper or paperboard products comprising a structured pigment. The structured pigment includes a plurality of chemically treated mineral particles. The mineral particles have a Malvern median particle size of about 0.3 microns to about 3.5 microns. The Malvern median particle size of the treated particles is less than 20% greater than the Malvern median particle size of the mineral particles prior to treatment.

Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric compositions having enhanced dampening properties, among other things, in which the elastomeric composition contains surface-treated barium sulfate particles formed of a plurality of barium sulfate particles and a reaction product of the barium sulfate and silicon-hydride containing polysiloxane integrally located on the surfaces of the barium sulfate particles. Vulcanized products thereof are also encompassed. The elastomeric compositions of this invention can be vulcanized to retain appropriate shapes to provide tire parts (e.g., treads), v-belts, conveyor belts, sealants, shoe parts, and so forth, having enhanced vibration and noise dampening attributes, but without adversely impacting other performance-related properties of the rubber products.

Abstract: An effective production method for silane-treated clays having exceptional reinforcing effects with respect to rubber, and compositions using these silane-treated clays are offered. With the silane-treated clay production method, a functional silane is predispersed or emulsified in water by means of a surfactant in order to mix the functional silane with kaolin clay and thereby uniformly surface-treat the kaolin clay with the functional silane. The surfactant should preferably be a non-ionic surfactant with an HLB value in the range of 8-18. The silane-treated clay formed by surface-treating kaolin clay by means of these functional silanes characteristically contains low residual levels of the non-ionic surfactants. The functional silanes can be either vinyl or sulfur functional silanes. The silane treated clays are useful as fillers or extenders in rubber compositions, particularly those employing silicas and/or carbon blacks.

Abstract: A method of preparing a surface treated barium sulfate product is disclosed which has improved dispersibility in end use applications such as polymeric formulations. The method includes mixing a silicon-hydride containing polysiloxane, in neat or in aqueous emulsion form, with a quantity of barium sulfate particles and then optionally drying the resultant mixture. The silicon-hydride containing polysiloxane is deposited on and chemically bonded to the surface of the barium sulfate particles.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer structured pigment slurry which comprises providing an anionic, aqueous slurry including a plurality of solid mineral particles, adding a low molecular weight, cationic polymer in an amount of less than about 0.20% by weight to the slurry and then adding a small amount of an inorganic dispersant to the polymer treated pigment slurry. The Malvern median particle size of the mineral particles treated with the polycationic polymer is less than about 20% larger than the Malvern median particle size of the untreated mineral particles.

Abstract: An effective production method for silane-treated clays having exceptional reinforcing effects with respect to rubber, and compositions using these silane-treated clays are offered. With the silane-treated clay production method, a functional silane is predispersed or emulsified in water by means of a surfactant in order to mix the functional silane with kaolin clay and thereby uniformly surface-treat the kaolin clay with the functional silane. The surfactant should preferably be a non-ionic surfactant with an HLB value in the range of 8-18. The silane-treated clay formed by surface-treating kaolin clay by means of these functional silanes characteristically contains low residual levels of the non-ionic surfactants. The functional silanes can be either vinyl or sulfur functional silanes. The silane treated clays are useful as fillers or extenders in rubber compositions, particularly those employing silicas and/or carbon blacks.

Abstract: Modified mineral fillers, derived from either a coarse particle kaolin clay or a coarse particle ATH, having excellent utility in thermoset polymers as low paste viscosity fillers are disclosed. The method of treatment involves the use of specific weight ratio combinations of a silane and a long chain aliphatic alcohol. The treatment of clay can also involve the auxiliary use of a surfactant in small amounts, which is utilized to emulsify the silane and aliphatic alcohol treatment components in water either individually or as a co-emulsion blend prior to their addition to the clay. The surfactant, which is preferably a nonionic surfactant having a HLB value of 12-18, aides in uniformly treating all the clay particle surfaces with the silane/alcohol treatment combination. Coarse particle clays having general utility in the invention are those having an average Stokes equivalent particle diameter of at least 3.

Abstract: An effective production method for silane-treated clays having exceptional reinforcing effects with respect to rubber, and compositions using these silane-treated clays are offered. With the silane-treated clay production method, a functional silane is predispersed or emulsified in water by means of a surfactant in order to mix the functional silane with kaolin clay and thereby uniformly surface-treat the kaolin clay with the functional silane. The surfactant should preferably be a non-ionic surfactant with an HLB value in the range of 8-18. The silane-treated clay formed by surface-treating kaolin clay by means of these functional silanes characteristically contains low residual levels of the non-ionic surfactants. The functional silanes can be either vinyl or sulfur functional silanes. The silane treated clays are useful as fillers or extenders in rubber compositions, particularly those employing silicas and/or carbon blacks.

Abstract: A coarse particle kaolin clay is provided having an average Stokes equivalent particle diameter of about 4.5-6.0 microns, a BET surface area of about 8-11 m.sup.2 /g, and preferably having a median Malvern particle size of about 9.0-10.5 microns as determined by laser light-scattering measurement and a high aspect ratio preferably of about 12-14 as determined by Sphericity Model calculations. The coarse particle kaolin clay provides low viscosity build, good reinforcement properties and excellent surface finish qualities as a filler in thermoset composite materials, such as polyester molding compounds, and also provides excellent pigmenting properties in paints and industrial coatings.

Abstract: An improved finely divided rubber-reinforcing clay mineral composition can be produced by employing a hydrous kaolin clay surface treated with a functional silane, a methylene donor compound such as hexamethylenetetramine, and a multifunctional methylene acceptor such as resorcinol. A novel process of preparation is provided. The improved reinforcing, treated clay filler can be combined with natural or synthetic elastomer compositions which can be cured to elastomer products which have improved physical properties, such as modulus, tensile, tear, wear resistance and/or resistance to heat build-up.

Abstract: An improved finely divided rubber-reinforcing clay mineral composition can be produced by employing a hydrous kaolin clay surface treated with a functional silane, a methylene donor compound such as hexamethylenetetramine, and a multifunctional methylene acceptor such as resorcinol. A novel process of preparation is provided. The improved reinforcing, treated clay filler can be combined with natural or synthetic elastomer compositions which can be cured to elastomer products which have improved physical properties, such as modulus, tensile, tear, wear resistance and/or resistance to heat build-up.

Abstract: A synthetic alkali metal silicate pigment is modified with a source of a water soluble zirconium ion to form an oxy-hydroxy zirconium species precipitate on the pigment surface. The surface modified pigment is made by slurrying the pigment and reacting it with the source of a water soluble zirconium ion. The surface modified pigment provides improvements over conventional synthetic alkali metal silicate pigments in terms of optical properties, particularly in paper applications, and physical properties, particularly in rubber applications. The surface modified pigment is also useful as an extender or replacement for TiO.sub.2, a conventional synthetic alkali metal silicate such as a sodium-aluminosilicate pigment, a clay, a calcined clay or the like.

Abstract: This invention involves a method of optically whitening clay minerals to transform their natural yellow tint to increased whiteness. Generally, it has been found that clay materials having low cation exchange capability can be directly reacted with very small amounts of cationic dyes, the apparent whiteness of said clay minerals being substantially increased thereby.

Abstract: Sodium alumino-silicates are produced by silicate/clay reactions under hydrothermal conditions with increased solids during processing while still producing structural materials characterized by low oil absorption values, high total pore volume and increased differential pore volumes. The products are useful as coating pigments for paper and paperboard, paper fillers, paint pigments and as reinforcing pigments for rubber.

Abstract: This invention involves a method of optically whitening clay minerals to transform their natural yellow tint to increased whiteness. Generally, it has been found that clay materials having low cation exchange capability can be directly reacted with very small amounts of cationic dyes, the apparent whiteness of said clay minerals being substantially increased thereby.

Abstract: Pigments for use in paper are comprised of structured aggregate clays which are reaction products of kaolin clays and colloidal silicas. Silica modified clays of low treatment level can under certain high-shear mixing conditions be attritioned back to their starting clay particle size consequently yielding silica coated clay particles that provide unique properties. Also provided are structured aggregate clay products produced by the reaction of kaolin clay, colloidal silicas and spacer particles such as titanium dioxide, which products have improved porosity and light scattering characteristics. Also provided are clay slurry products which comprise mixtures of the reaction product of kaolin clay and colloidal silica, and optionally titanium dioxide, blended with other clay products.