Abstract: Composite particles may be produced by drying slurries containing silica particles and graphenic carbon particles in a liquid carrier. Elastomeric formulations comprising a base elastomer composition and the silica-graphenic carbon composite particles are also disclosed. The formulations possess favorable properties such as increased stiffness and are useful for many applications such as tire treads.

Abstract: Composite particles may be produced by drying slurries containing silica particles and graphenic carbon particles in a liquid carrier. Elastomeric formulations comprising a base elastomer composition and the silica-graphenic carbon composite particles are also disclosed. The formulations possess favorable properties such as increased stiffness and are useful for many applications such as tire treads.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a modified filler. The method includes in sequence providing an acidified aqueous slurry of an untreated inorganic filler which has not been previously dried; an emulsifier material; and a hydrophobating agent having the following structural formula (I): Ra?M-X(4?a)??(I) wherein: R is C6 to C22 alkyl, M is silicon, titanium or zirconium, X is OR? or halogen, R? is C1 to C4 alkyl, and a is 1; washing and/or filtering the acidified aqueous slurry to obtain a modified filler; and, optionally, drying the modified filler. Polymeric compositions and articles also are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a modified filler. The method includes in sequence providing an acidified aqueous slurry of an untreated inorganic filler which has not been previously dried; an emulsifier material; and a hydrophobating agent having the following structural formula (I): (I) Ra-M-X(4-a) wherein: R is C6 to C22 alkyl, M is silicon, titanium or zirconium, X is OR? or N halogen, R? is C1 to C4 alkyl, and a is 1; washing and/or filtering the acidified aqueous slurry to obtain a modified filler, and, optionally, drying the modified filler. Polymeric compositions and articles also are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for maintaining a pretreatment bath containing a pretreatment comprising a Group IVB metal. The system comprises an aqueous reducing agent comprising a metal cation and a latent source of sulfate which, upon reaction with a contaminant in the pretreatment bath, forms a metal sulfate. The contaminant comprises a nitrite source. The metal sulfate salt has a pKsp of 4.5 to 11 at a temperature of 25° C. Also disclosed is a method for maintaining a pretreatment bath containing a pretreatment composition comprising a Group IVB metal. The method comprises supplying the reducing agent to the pretreatment bath in an amount sufficient to reduce a pollution ratio of the pretreatment bath to less than 1:1. Also disclosed are substrates with a pretreatment bath maintained according to the system and method.

Abstract: Methods for treating a substrate are disclosed. A method includes contacting a substrate with a pretreatment composition comprising a Group IVB metal and an electropositive metal and passing an electric current between an anode and the substrate serving as a cathode to deposit a coating from the pretreatment composition on the substrate. A method for treating an electrically conductive substrate also includes contacting the electrically conductive substrate with a pretreatment composition comprising a Group IVB metal and an electropositive metal and electrodepositing a coating on the electrically conductive substrate from the pretreatment composition. A method further includes contacting an electrically conductive substrate with a pretreatment composition comprising a Group IVB metal and an electropositive metal; and electrodepositing a coating on the electrically conductive substrate from the pretreatment composition, wherein the coating comprises each of the Group IVB metal and the electropositive metal.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a modified filler. The method includes in sequence providing an acidified aqueous slurry of an untreated inorganic filler which has not been previously dried; an emulsifier material; and a hydrophobating agent having the following structural formula (I): Ra?M-X(4?a)??(I) wherein: R is C6 to C22 alkyl, M is silicon, titanium or zirconium, X is OR? or halogen, R? is C1 to C4 alkyl, and a is 1; washing and/or filtering the acidified aqueous slurry to obtain a modified filler; and, optionally, drying the modified filler. Polymeric compositions and articles also are provided.

Abstract: Composite particles may be produced by drying slurries containing silica particles and graphenic carbon particles in a liquid carrier. Elastomeric formulations comprising a base elastomer composition and the silica-graphenic carbon composite particles are also disclosed. The formulations possess favorable properties such as increased stiffness and are useful for many applications such as tire treads.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for maintaining a pretreatment bath containing a pretreatment comprising a Group IVB metal. The system comprises an aqueous reducing agent comprising a metal cation and a latent source of sulfate which, upon reaction with a contaminant in the pretreatment bath, forms a metal sulfate. The contaminant comprises a nitrite source. The metal sulfate salt has a pKsp of 4.5 to 11 at a temperature of 25° C. Also disclosed is a method for maintaining a pretreatment bath containing a pretreatment composition comprising a Group IVB metal. The method comprises supplying the reducing agent to the pretreatment bath in an amount sufficient to reduce a pollution ratio of the pretreatment bath to less than 1:1. Also disclosed are substrates with a pretreatment bath maintained according to the system and method.

Abstract: A tank or a pipe having an internal steel surface, at least a portion of the internal steel surface comprising a coating system. The coating system being formed of an overcoat layer and an overcoat-enhancing layer, the overcoat-enhancing layer being interposed between the steel surface and the overcoat layer. In use, the overcoat-enhancing layer enhances the chemical resistance of the overcoat layer to aggressive cargo types.

Abstract: A method and composition for pretreating magnesium substrates prior to the application of a protective and/or decorative surface coating is disclosed. The pretreatment composition comprises (a) a compound containing at least 4 phosphorus acid groups and (b) a soluble alkaline earth salt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pretreatment composition containing (a) a Group IIIB metal, a Group IVB metal, or combinations thereof; and (b) a compound containing at least six phosphorus-containing acid groups or salts thereof; wherein the molar ratio of (a) to (b) is at least 3:1. Also disclosed are methods of treating a substrate with the pretreatment composition and substrates treated with the pretreatment composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating metal substrates that include contacting the substrate with a pretreatment composition comprising a rare earth metal and a zirconyl compound. The present invention also relates to coated substrates produced thereby and further to substrates additionally coated with an electrophoretically applied coating composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is an activating rinse for treating at least a portion of a substrate, comprising a dispersion of metal phosphate particles having a D90 particle size of no greater than 10 ?m, wherein the metal phosphate comprises divalent or trivalent metals or combinations thereof; a dispersant; and a metal sulfate salt. Methods of treating a substrate with the activating rinse also are disclosed. Optionally, substrates treated with the activating rinse also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pretreatment composition containing (a) a Group IIIB metal, a Group IVB metal, or combinations thereof; and (b) a compound containing at least six phosphorus-containing acid groups or salts thereof; wherein the molar ratio of (a) to (b) is at least 3:1. Also disclosed are methods of treating a substrate with the pretreatment composition and substrates treated with the pretreatment composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating metal substrates, including ferrous substrates, such as cold rolled steel and electrogalvanized steel. The methods include contacting the metal substrates with a conditioning composition including a free fluoride source and then depositing a pretreatment composition including a Group IIIB and/or IVB metal on a portion of the substrate contacted with the conditioning composition. Also disclosed are electrophoretically coated substrates treated by the methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cathode of a lithium-ion battery having a conductive substrate, a first layer covering at least a portion of the conductive substrate comprising a pretreatment composition comprising a Group IIIB and/or Group IVB metal, and a second layer covering at least a portion of the conductive substrate and first layer, the second layer comprising a coating composition comprising a lithium-containing compound. Also disclosed is method for treating a battery cathode and a battery having the treated cathode.

Abstract: An activating rinse for treating a substrate is disclosed. The activating rinse comprises a first component comprising a dispersion of divalent or trivalent metal phosphate particles having an average particle size that is not greater than 10 ?m, and a second component comprising first and second copolymers. The first copolymer is formed by the polymerization of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or combinations thereof, wherein one end of the first copolymer is terminated by an amine group, a hydroxyl group, or an alkyl group. The second copolymer is formed by the polymerization of styrene and a second monomer containing at least one carboxylate group, anhydride group, or combinations thereof. The second monomer is present in an amount of less than 50 percent by weight of the total weight of the second component. Also disclosed are methods for treating a substrate with the activating rinse and substrates treated with the activating rinse.

Abstract: A method and corn position for pretreating magnesium substrates prior to the application of a protective and/or decorative surface coating is disclosed. The pretreatment composition comprises (a) a compound containing at least 4 phosphorus acid groups and (b) a soluble alkaline earth salt.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating metal substrates that include contacting the metal with pretreatment compositions comprising: (a) a group IIIB metal, a group IVB metal and/or a group VB metal; and (b) a rheology modifier composition.