Abstract: Selected smectites may be synthesized from a wide variety of components. Morphology, purity, size, and/or shape of the selected smectite may be controlled by mixing the clay smectite formatives, and selectively controlling the pH during mixing. The selected smectites may be used in any applications in which naturally occurring smectite may be used. The selected smectite may also be formulated into an organoclay.

Abstract: Nanocomposites may be produced by mixing dispersions of polymers and dispersions of clay minerals. After mixing, the dispersions may be destabilized with the addition of appropriate compounds. The flocculated solid material exhibits characteristics of a nanocomposite, such as exfoliation of the clay mineral platelets as indicated by x-ray diffraction analysis.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay as a pumpable slurry, to high-speed fluid shear, prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound.

Abstract: In the process for preparing an organoclay by reacting a smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound, the gelling properties of the organoclay are enhanced by reducing the average particle size of the clay prior to the reaction thereof with the quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: A controlled release composition is prepared by contacting an organoclay with a biologically active material in concentrated form to cause absorption of the active material on the organoclay. The resulting product releases the active agent slowly, over a period of time, when exposed to the open atmosphere, for instance on being distributed over cultivated fields.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quarternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay as a pumpable slurry, to high-speed fluid shear, prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for use in the process wherein an organophilic clay is manufactured by reacting a sodium smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound. According to the improvement of the invention, the gelling properties of the resulting organoclay are enhanced, by subjecting the clay to high energy pugmilling prior to the reaction thereof with the ammonium compound. This is preferably effected by passing the clay at 25 to 40 weight percent moisture content, through a pugmill which imparts at least 20 HP/hrs/ton of energy to the clay, after which the clay is subjected to the prior art processing.

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.