Abstract: The present invention is related to treated filler and processes for producing said treated filler. Untreated filler slurry can be treated with a treating material and, optionally, a coupling material and then subjected to conventional drying method(s), to produce the treated filler of the invention. Treated filler has a wide variety of applications including but not limited to battery separators and rubber compositions such as tires.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material including (a) a polyolefin matrix which is 30 to 80 weight percent high density polyolefin, (b) finely divided particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix including 10 to 30 weight percent or less of calcium carbonate, and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. The microporous material has a density ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 g/cc, a Sheffield smoothness of less than or equal to 40, a air flow rate of 1000 or more Gurley seconds, and MD stress at 1% strain of greater than or equal to 200 psi. Printed electronic devices prepared from the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-layer article including (1) a sheet of microporous material having opposing surfaces, and (2) an adhesive composition applied over at least a portion of at least one of the surfaces of the sheet. The microporous material contains (A) a polymeric matrix component of 5 to 100 weight percent of low melt flow index polypropylene; 0 to 90 weight percent of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and 0 to 90 weight percent of high density polyethylene; (B) a finely divided, particulate filler component dispersed throughout the polymeric matrix (A) including siliceous and non-siliceous materials; and (C) a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout the microporous material, the pores constituting 10 to 80 percent by volume of the microporous material, wherein the weight ratio of filler component (B) to polymeric matrix component (A) ranges from 0.1 to 10.0.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous material, e.g., a microporous sheet material, having a matrix of polyolefin, finely-divided, substantially water insoluble particulate filler, a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material, and at least one retrospectively identifiable taggant material embedded within the matrix, wherein the polyolefin is present in the microporous material in an amount of 20 to 60 weight percent, based on the weight of the microporous material. The taggant material provides a marker, signature or code that is capable of retrospective identification by machine, instrument or by the naked eye. Articles including the microporous material and processes for preparing the microporous material also are provided.

Abstract: Described are microporous materials including (a) a polymeric matrix component; (b) a finely divided, particulate inorganic filler component dispersed throughout the polymeric matrix; and (c) a network of interconnecting pores communicating substantially throughout the microporous material, the pores constituting 10 to 80 percent by volume of the microporous material. The polymeric component is based on (i) 5 to 100 weight percent based on total weight of component (a) of low melt flow index polypropylene; (ii) 0 to 90 weight percent based on total weight of component (a) of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene; and (iii) 0 to 90 weight percent based on total weight of component (a) of high density polyethylene. Also provided are multi-layer articles prepared from the microporous materials.

Abstract: Amorphous precipitated silica which may be used to form battery separators of very low specific resistance is characterized by (a) a CTAB surface area in the range of from 140 to 185 m.sup.2 /g; (b) a DBP oil absorption in the range of from 210 to 310 cm.sup.3 /100 g; (c) a mean ultimate particle size in the range of from 10 to 18 nm; (d) a total intruded volume in the range of from 2.6 to 4 cm.sup.3 /g; and (e) an intruded volume in the range of from 0.9 to 2 cm.sup.3 /g for pores having diameters in the range of from 20 to 100 nm.

Abstract: Amorphous precipitated silica which may be used to form battery separators of very low shrinkage is characterized by (a) a BET surface area in the range of from 60 to 200 m.sup.2 /g; (b) a CTAB surface area in the range of from 40 to 150 m.sup.2 /g; (c) a DBP oil absorption in the range of from 180 to 300 cm.sup.3 /100 g; (d) a mean ultimate particle size in the range of from 20 to 30 nm; (e) a total intruded volume in the range of from 2.5 to 4 cm.sup.3 /g; (f) an intruded volume in the range of from 0.3 to 1.2 cm.sup.3 /g for pores having diameters in the range of from 20 to 100 nm; and (g) a pore diameter at the maximum of the volume pore size distribution function in the range of from 30 to 200 nm.

Abstract: Particles comprising particulate amorphous precipitated silica in association with from 5 to 10 percent by weight sodium sulfate and less than 10 percent by weight water, wherein the percentages are based on the weight of the silica, the sodium sulfate, and the water, which particles have a BET surface area of from 100 to 300 m.sup.2 /g, a total intruded volume from 1.8 to 3.6 cm.sup.3 /g, and a DBP oil absorption of from 180 to 320 cm.sup.3 /100 g, may be employed in microporous battery separators to introduce all or a portion of the desired sodium sulfate to the battery electrolyte. Moreover the enhanced amount of sodium sulfate enhances silica characteristics and battery separator production.