Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing a slurry composed of ion-exchanged, synthetic mica crystals dispersed in a polar liquid. The method comprises providing a synthetic, lithium and/or sodium, water-swelling body of selected crystal type, and dispersing the mica body in the polar liquid while simultaneously effecting an exchange of larger cations from a contacting source with lithium and/or sodium ions from the mica crystals. The synthetic mica body may be vigorously mixed in a dilute solution of the exchangeable ion source. Alternatively, the mica body may be disintegrated in a mixer, the exchangeable ion source added to form a paste and more liquid added to dilute the paste.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the preparation of an organic-inorganic composite body demonstrating hydrophobic behavior containing crystals of an organic polycation-exchanged lithium and/or sodium water-swelling mica, the organic polycation being selected from the group of aminosilanes and organic chrome complexes.

Abstract: A calcined member for arc-extinguishing chambers which are installed in electromagnetic contactors and magnetic circuit breakers for high-voltage applications. The calcined member consists of an inorganic composite material obtained by molding and heat-treating a starting material under pressurized condition, the starting material comprising 10 to 50% by weight of a mica powder as a base material, 10 to 50% by weight of a magnesium oxide as a charging material, and 25 to 60% by weight of a mixture powder of boric acid, boric anhydride and zinc oxide as a binder.

Abstract: An aqueous coating composition for the corrosion-protection and/or fire-protection of substrates comprising a dispersion of chemically delaminated vermiculite lamellae in an aqueous solution or dispersion of a film-forming polymeric binder. Preferably the vermiculite lamellae are of size below 50 microns, especially below 20 microns, and the film-forming polymeric binder is in the form of a colloidal dispersion or emulsion of the polymer in water such as is commonly called a latex.

Abstract: An arc resistant insulator composed of a composite composition comprising an insulating base material and a zinc borate hydrate. The insulating base material is composed of aluminum oxide and/or aluminum hydroxide and mica power. The zinc borate hydrate is composed essentially of 2ZnO.3B.sub.2 O.sub.3.3H.sub.2 O. The arc resistant insulator is prepared by mixing the insulating base material with a zinc borate hydrate forming material composed of normal boric acid, boric acid anhydride and zinc oxide and heating and compacting the mixture thus obtained in a closed system at a temperature of at least 155.degree. C. under pressure of at least 50 kg/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: An asbestos-free mineral article useful as thermal insulation is described into which a visual identifying material is incorporated. The identifying material may be any of a variety of inorganic particulate materials such as particulate minerals, colored glass fibers or spheres, metal flakes or wires and the like. Preferred are mica flakes, present as 0.5% to 10% by weight of the article.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of crystal-containing gels and papers, films, fibers, boards, and coatings made therefrom. The process for making the gels comprises three general steps: first, a fully or predominantly crystalline body is formed containing crystals consisting essentially of a lithium and/or sodium water-swelling mica selected from the group of fluorhectorite, hydroxyl hectorite, boron fluorphlogopite, hydroxyl boron phlogopite, and solid solutions among those and between those and other structures selected from the group of talc, fluortalc, polylithionite, fluorpolylithionite, phlogopite, and fluorphlogopite; second, that body is contacted with a polar liquid, desirably water, to cause swelling and disintegration of the body accompanied with the formation of a gel; and, third, the solid:liquid ratio of the gel is adjusted to a desired value depending upon the application therefor.

Abstract: A free-flowing, dry powder composition comprising vermiculite lamellae (delaminated vermiculite); preferably the composition contains a solid particulate additive such as magnesium oxide.

Abstract: Flexible intumescent sheet materials having greatly decreased negative expansion characteristics in the range of 200.degree. to 400.degree. C. and which are thermally resistant and resilient after expansion are disclosed. The flexible intumescent sheets are particularly useful for mounting automotive catalytic converter monoliths.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the production of crystal-containing gels and papers, films, fibers, boards, and coatings made therefrom. The process for making the gels comprises three general steps: first, a fully or predominantly crystalline body is formed containing crystals consisting essentially of a lithium and/or sodium water-swelling mica selected from the group of fluorhectorite, hydroxyl hectorite, boron fluorphlogopite, hydroxyl boron phlogopite, and solid solutions among those and between those and other structurally-compatible species selected from the group of talc, fluortalc, polylithionite, fluorpolylithionite, phlogopite, and fluorphlogopite; second, that body is contacted with a polar liquid, desirably water, to cause swelling and disintegration of the body accompanied with the formation of a gel; and, third, the solid:liquid ratio of the gel is adjusted to a desired value depending upon the application therefor.

Abstract: This invention pertains to asphaltic sheet sound deadener for use as a vibration damping medium, which can be bonded in place without excessive sag or flow by subjecting the material to 250.degree.-400.degree. F. The main use of this material is in the automotive field, but may be used in other areas such as the appliance and furniture industries. The melt flow properties of the deadener are controlled by the use of ground mica.

Abstract: A composition comprising vermiculite lamellae (delaminated vermiculite) and one or more solid particulate materials which have a basic reaction in water, especially magnesium oxide. These particulate additives improve the physical properties of vermiculite articles especially the compressive strength and stability to water of foam.

Abstract: A process for the gas and liquid-permeable encrusting, pilling and granulating of seed material with the utilization of a three-layer mineral as a laminar coating material which is expandable under the effect of a liquid; the three-layer mineral being constituted of vermiculite or hydrous mica to form the basic material and providing a fine-grained reversibly expandable coating material when applied onto the seed, and which rapidly absorbs and gives off polar liquids such as water. The basic material consists of particles in the form of extremely thin, uniformly even platelets which comprise over 50% of the basic material.

Abstract: Unsupported metal oxide platey nacreous pigments are derived from metal oxide coated mica by a unique dissolution process and show higher luster and coverage than the pigment from which they are derived. If the metal oxide coated mica shows a reflection interference color, the unsupported product derived from it shows higher luster and greater reflection color intensity.

Abstract: Iron oxide coated mica nacreous pigments are improved by interposing a thin layer of titanium dioxide or aluminum oxide between the iron oxide and the mica.

Abstract: The heavy metal content of sludge waste is fixed in a cementitious solid product by mixing the waste sludge with fixing ingredients comprising vermiculite and cement.

Abstract: An asbestos-free composition suitable for the manufacture of shaped articles comprising (a) a water-settable inorganic binder which is one or more of a calcium silicate binder (or compounds necessary for the formation thereof), Portland cement, aluminous cement and blast furnace slag cement, (b) organic reinforcing fibres and (c) mica and/or vermiculite. The composition may be shaped on conventional shaping, e.g. boardmaking, machinery and the products have superior fire and shrinkage resistance.

Abstract: A high bulk clay product and method of making the same are provided in which kaolinite is selectively flocculated to produce an ultra fine particle fraction in the presence of fine mica below 150 mesh in size and the resulting flocculant is collected and dried.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of carbon black-containing pigments consists essentially of precipitation of a carbon black-containing metal hydroxide or bismuth oxychloride layer on substrate particles in an aqueous suspension containing carbon black particles of particle size of below 1 mn. and washing, drying and optionally calcining the products. Flaky substrates, e.g., mica flakes coated with TiO.sub.2, are preferably employed. Carbon black-containing pigments obtained have carbon black particles incorporated in a metal hydroxide, metal oxide or bismuth oxychloride layer precipitated on the substrate in the presence of the carbon black.

Abstract: A high bulk clay product and method of making the same are provided in which kaolinite is selectively flocculated to produce an ultra fine particle fraction in the presence of fine mica below 150 mesh in size and the resulting flocculant is collected and dried.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-vibration heat-insulation structure and a process for the production thereof characterized by filling the void in the structure to form a heat-insulation layer with silicic acid bonding agent-coated silicic acid mineral grains which swell in volume when fired at a high temperature; and then heating and thereby expanding these silicic acid mineral grains and at the same time allowing said grains to stick to one another.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a tetra-silicic mica having the formula Na.sub.0.6 - 0.8 Mg.sub.2.6 - 2.7 (Si.sub.4 O.sub.10)F.sub.2 which comprises mixing components selected from the group of sodium fluoride (NaF, sodium silicofluoride (Na.sub.2 SiF.sub.6), magnesium fluoride (MgF.sub.2), magnesia (MgO) and silica (SiO.sub.2) in a mole ratio of (a) 1 - 1.2 NaF : 0.5 - 1.2 MgF.sub.2 : 2 MgO : 4 SiO.sub.2 or (b) 0.5 - 0.8 Na.sub.2 SiF.sub.6 : 0.5 - 1.2 MgF.sub.2 : 2 MgO : 4 SiO.sub.2, melting the mixture at a temperature of 1300.degree. C to 1500.degree. C and cooling the melt to obtain a crystal.This invention further relates to a water sol of flake-like ultra-fine particles of tetra-silicic mica produced in accordance with claim 1, wherein most of the flake-like particles dispersed in water have a thickness of less than 50 A and an average diameter of the flat plane of between 500 A and 3000 A.

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: Bismuth oxychloride-mica nacreous pigments are improved in luster by the deposit of hydrous titanium hydroxide. Depending on the amount of hydrous titanium hydroxide deposited, the nacreous pigment can also exhibit improved aqueous-organic phase transferability.

Abstract: A filler material for a road paving composition is described, the material having a low sensitivety to water and having fine gravel, pebbles and an organic binder selected from the group consisting of ashphalt, bitumen and tar, said filler material comprising at least one natural hydrated silicate selected from the group consisting of kaolinite, antigorite, sepiolite and palygorskite, said hydrated silicate having been subjected to a heat treatment at a temperature between 200.degree.C and 800.degree.C to irreversibly remove water of hydration to enhance porosity and ability to absorb bitumen, said filler material having a fineness at which at least 80% by weight will pass through a 74 micron screen, a porosity of at least 50% by volume and a swelling factor of not more than 3% in water after said organic binder has been absorbed therein.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of vermiculite particles having enhanced properties which comprises exfoliating crude vermiculite without substantially changing its structural strength, pulverizing the exfoliated particles and subjecting them to a heat treatment so as to cause at least partial calcination.