Abstract: Rapidly disintegrating water-soluble or water-dispersible granular compositions are made by extruding a premix through a die or screen at elevated temperature. The extruded composition is chopped or milled to form a granular product. The compositions contain one or more water-soluble ingredients which soften or melt at elevated temperatures. No water is added in the process thereby eliminating the need for drying.

Abstract: Low cost, rapidly water-dispersible or water-soluble granular compositions containing at least 10% voids and consisting of agglomerates comprised of pesticidal particles bonded together by solid bridges of a water-soluble heat-activated binder.

Abstract: The process of making a solution formulation of a sulfonylurea compound which includes contacting the formulation with molecular sieves to provide improved chemical stability to the solution formulation.

Abstract: Thickeners, preferably galactomannans, in aqueous solutions or slurries, e.g., water gel explosives, oil well drilling muds, and hydraulic fracturing fluids, are stabilized against thermal degradation by incorporating iodide and/or iodate ions in the solution or slurry. The preferred stabilizer is the iodide ion introduced into the fluid by dissolving an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal iodide, or ammonium or alkyl-substituted ammonium iodide, in the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Water-bearing explosives comprising oxidizer, fuel, and sensitizer components in a thickened or gelled continuous aqueous phase are stabilized against the degradation of their thickened or gelled structure by the incorporation therein of iodide and/or iodate ions. Preferably, iodide ion is introduced by dissolving ammonium iodide or an alkali metal iodide in an aqueous liquor or sol containing the oxidizer component. The stabilization method is particularly useful in explosives containing a guar gum thickener and flake aluminum in the sensitizer component.

Abstract: Process for preparing pigmented microporous silica microspheres by spraying an aqueous suspension of pigment in a solution of alkali metal silicate through the air into a medium consisting of from 20% to 100% by volume of a water miscible organic liquid, the balance being water. The resulting microspheres are highly effective opacifying agents.

Abstract: Pigmented silica microsphere having an average diameter from 2 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m and consisting essentially of from 10% to 70% by weight of particulate pigment, dispersed throughout a microporous silica matrix and, optionally, containing a coating of dense amorphous silica. The microspheres are produced by acidifying a water-in-oil emulsion. The pigmented silica microspheres are particularly useful as opacifying agents for coating compositions and as fillers for paper.