Abstract: An improved flatting agent comprising an inorganic hydrogel having a pore volume of at least 1.0 ml/g, an average particle size in the range 1 to 10 microns, and a particle size distribution such that when the flatting agent is dispersed in a coating, the fineness of grind is at least 4.75 on the Hegman scale. The inorganic hydrogel flatting agents of this invention are prepared by milling an inorganic hydrogel under controlled temperature conditions wherein a volatiles content of at least 40 weight percent is maintained, to produce inorganic hydrogel particles characterized by a pore volume of at least 1.0 ml/g, an average particle size in the range of 1 to 10 microns, and a particle size distribution such that when the flatting agent is dispersed in a coating, the fineness of grind is at least 4.75 on the Hegman scale.

Abstract: Polymer-bound adsorbent beads are usable as a direct replacement for conventional clay-bound beads in insulating glass unit manufacture to eliminate the problem of dusting associated with conventional beads. Polymer-bound beads provide good adsorption and superior crush strength compared to clay-bound adsorbent beads previously used in insulating glass units to desiccate the space between the glass panes. The polymer-bound adsorbent beads may also be used as a substitute for conventional desiccant beads in water adsorption applications such as in bottle stoppers, sachets, blister packaging, etc.

Abstract: A homogeneous amorphous aluminum phosphate composition with a surface area of 100 to 300 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume in pores with diameters of less than 1000 nm of at least 1.0 cm.sup.3 /g, in which phosphorus and aluminum are present in a molar ratio in the range from 0.9:1 to 1:1 and which is characterized in that it is present in the form of microspherical particles with a particle size of 10 to 250 .mu.m and displays a bimodal pore-size distribution in the pore-diameter range of less than 1000 nm is suitable as a cracking catalyst, as a catalyst support, especially for polymerization catalysts, as a flatting agent, as an adsorption agent and as a thickening agent.