Abstract: A colored frit prepared by fusing by heating a material composition comprising a devitrifying substance, a coloring agent and glass, and a method for manufacturing an artificial stone made by utilizing the colored frit. In the method of manufacturing artificial stones, the colored frits alone or a mixture of at least one kind of the colored frits and at least one kind of the colored frits and at least one kind of frits containing fluormicas are sintered, so that the colored frits are devitrified and the colors of the devitrified colored frits become distinctly visible to a viewer. This produces artificial stones having a wide variety of distinct colors and patterns.

Abstract: A crystallized glass-ceramic molded product having a glass matrix and crystallized calcium fluoride and fluormica dispersed therein. The molded product is prepared by mixing and melting together the necessary constituents for forming the glass, calcium fluoride and fluormica and rapidly cooling the melt to produce a frit. Particles of the frit or of two or more frits are then subjected to sintering and crystallizing heat treatments.

Abstract: A smoke filter for removing injurious components from the smoke. Comprises a fiber matrix in conjunction with a water-swellable synthetic mica. The fiber matrix may be made of cellulose acetate, regenerated cellulose, or the like. The water-swellable synthetic mica is of the general formulaW.sub.1/3 to 1 (X,Y).sub.2.5 to 3 (Si.sub.4 O.sub.10)F.sub.2wherein W is Na or Li cation, and X and Y represent 6-coordinate ions, for example, Mg and Li. Suitable synthetic micas include Na-tetrasilicic mica, Na-taeniolite, Li-taeniolite, Na-hectorite, and Li-hectorite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sol of ultra-fine particles of layered structure material selected from a group of montmorillonite, hectorite, tetra-silicic mica and taeniolite, characterized in that said layered structure material is hydrophobed by treatment with organic material selected from a group of titanic acid ester; zirconic acid ester; silanes having one of methoxy-, ethoxy- and silanol-radicals and one of vinyl-, epoxy-, acryl- and amino-radicals; .beta.-diketones mixed with lauryl amine; titanium amide; zirconium amide; and cationized silicone oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of producing taeniolite having the formula, LiMg.sub.2 Li(X.sub.4 O.sub.10)F.sub.2 (wherein X represents Si or Ge), which comprises mixing (a) lithium compound selected from the group of lithium oxide and lithium fluoride, (b) magnesium compound selected from the group of magnesium fluoride and magnesium oxide and (c) silicon oxide (or germanium oxide) in such a manner that the mixing ratio of Li : Mg : Si : (or Ge) : F becomes 1 : 1 : 2 : 1 (the fluoride is included in an excess amount of 10 - 30% to compensate the loss of fluorine during the process); melting the mixture at about 1,250.degree. C-1,450.degree. C and slowly cooling until the melt crystallizes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sol of ultra-fine particles of synthetic hectorite prepared by swelling and cleaving Li-hectorite having a formula of Li.sub.1/3 Mg.sub.2-2/3 Li.sub.1/3 (Si.sub.4 O.sub.10)F.sub.2 or Na-hectorite having a formula of Na.sub.1/3 Mg.sub.2-2/3 Li.sub.1/3 (Si.sub.4 O.sub.10)F.sub.2 in water or an organic solvent.This invention further relates to a sol of the above hectorite in which Li or Na ions co-ordinated between lattice layers of the hectorite are ion-exchanged with non-hydratable cations.This invention still further relates to a product prepared by using the above sol.