Abstract: For obtaining firmly adhering decorative layers of ceramic colors applied to glass or glass ceramic substrates, prior to stoving, optically inactive inorganic substances, e.g., mica, which are chemically inert with respect to the base enamel and the pigments are added to the base enamel together with the pigments in fine-particle form, e.g., 20-40 &mgr;m, in a quantity of 1-20 wt. %.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous inorganic particulate material which comprises treating a particulate aluminosilicate material with a leaching agent which chemically reacts with or solubilizes aluminum and thereby leaches aluminum from the aluminosilicate material, wherein the particulate aluminosilicate material is a particulate hydrous aluminosilicate material which has been flash calcined.

Abstract: A method for preparing high strength and high thermal shock-resistant china for ceramic whiteware which comprises the steps of molding a china-forming raw material which mainly comprises a natural ore material capable of forming corundum through firing or a material obtained by calcining the natural ore material to form corundum, a natural ore material capable of forming mullite through firing or a material obtained by calcining the natural ore material to form mullite, a clayey material and a flux such as feldspar, nepheline or dolomite; and then firing the molded china-forming raw material. The method permits the production of cheaper china for ceramic whiteware having high strength and excellent thermal shock resistance as compared with those prepared by the conventional techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates to synthetic garnite tiles made essentially from garnite sand and a process for the production of synthetic garnite tiles essentially from garnet sand which is a by-product of beach sand from rare earths extraction, said process comprising mixing beach sand garnet, feldspar and clay thoroughly; pressing the mixture using a press at a pressure in the range of 40-80 MPa to form tiles of desired shapes and sizes; drying the tiles so formed at a temperature of 100-120.degree. C.; firing the dried tiles at a temperature in the range of 1050-1250.degree. C. with a soaking for a period ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and polishing the resultant tiles.

Abstract: Paper making processes, including microparticulate processes, which utilise bentonite are provided with bentonite in the form of a concentrate, or a dilute dispersion made by diluting the concentrate, wherein the concentrate is a dispersion of 15 to 40% by weight bentonite in water containing citrate and has a viscosity below 5000 cps and is a stable fluid. The concentrates are novel. They are preferably made by mixing alkaline earth bentonite with water and sodium citrate.

Abstract: The use of wollastonite fibers having relatively long average fiber lengths as reinforcement agents for unfired sanitaryware bodies. The addition of refined wollastonite to sanitaryware bodies exhibited improved resistance to propagation of cracks, reduced drying and firing shrinkage, fluxing activity, an HF release inhibition upon firing. Reduced shrinkage and increased permeability improves the resistance to cracking during rapid drying and allows faster time schedules to be employed.

Abstract: An additive for reducing the calcium aluminate cement content in a refractory mix containing calcium aluminate cement. The additive is comprised of about 80% by weight amorphous, powdered metakaolin, the metakaolin having a mean particle size of less than about 3.0 microns, and about 20% by weight microsilica, the microsilica having a mean particle size of less than 45 microns.

Abstract: The activated kaolin powder compound is prepared from naturally-existing kaolin (hereinafter "natural kaolin"). The activated kaolin powder compound is prepared by heating natural kaolin to 480.degree. C. within at most one hour, calcinating the heated kaolin at high temperature by heating to 980.degree. C. over at least one hour, quenching the calcinated kaolin with water or air, and pulverizing the quenched kaolin to give particle sizes of 2 .mu.m or less. The activated kaolin powder compound is employed in an amount of about 5 to 15% by weight of cement for preparing mortar or cement. The cement composition containing the activated kaolin powder compound can provide a mortar or concrete having superior properties in compressive strength, flexural strength and water permeability.

Abstract: A method of improving the strength and/or plasticity of a clay composition comprising a kandite clay and an organic additive comprising at least one water soluble compound having a plurality of basic groups wherein the organic additive is present in an amount of from about 0.05% by weight to about 0.5% by weight based on the dry weight of the kandite clay present, which method comprises treating the kandite clay by adding thereto a monovalent ion activated smectite clay or a monovalent ion activating agent for a smectite clay or both whereby the amount of monovalent ion activated non-calcined smectite clay present in the clay composition is adjusted to be in the range from about 1% by weight to about 5% by weight based upon the dry weight of the kandite clay present.

Abstract: A method of calcining kaolin, comprising the steps of:a) producing a clay slurry comprised of water and kaolin clay of a specific particle size;b) mixing a water insoluble potassium containing glass forming compound into the clay slurry in an amount wherein the potassium content of the slurry is equal to about 1% by weight of the kaolin clay in the slurry;c) removing sufficient water from the slurry to form a material having an extrudable consistency;d) extruding the material into elongated shapes;e) heating the shapes by continuously moving them through a furnace having a zone, wherein the material is exposed to temperatures of at least 2700.degree. C. for at least 30 minutes.

Abstract: Colored impurities are removed from kaolin clay by an improved flotation process in which a blend of a fatty acid compound and a hydroxamate compound is used as a collector.

Abstract: A method of making a hydraulic material which contains metakaolinite and calcium hydroxide from a kaolin-containing compound. The method is performed in a fluidized bed installation having a freeboard under conditions such that the amount of calcium oxide formed is minimized. Preferably, the method is performed at a fluidized bed temperature of 780.degree. C. and a freeboard temperature of no more than 780.degree. C. By minimizing the amount of calcium hydroxide formed, the use of an additional installation for converting calcium oxide to calcium hydroxide is avoided. The starting material is typically waste paper and other residues from recycling of waste paper for reuse in the paper industry. The product may be used to form concrete having a high compression strength.

Abstract: A method and composition of matter for balancing tire and rim assemblies of vehicles is disclosed wherein the composition of matter has rounded balancing elements of different sizes to line the interior of a tire casing and to move over the lining to offset points of imbalance.

Abstract: A process for improving the rheological properties of an aqueous suspension of a particulate inorganic material which comprises the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous suspension of the particulate inorganic material and an effective amount of an anionic polyelectrolyte dispersing agent; (b) diluting the suspension formed in step (a) with water while maintaining the particulate in the dispersed state of step (a) to give a solids concentration of not less than 20% by weight of the particulate inorganic material; and (c) reconcentrating the diluted suspension formed in step (b) to give a solids concentration of at least 50% by weight of the particulate inorganic material.

Abstract: A method of coating paper with a paper coating composition having a solids concentration of at least 45% by weight, consisting essentially of an aqueous cationic dispersion of a particulate calcium carbonate pigment and a nonionic or cationic adhesive, wherein the pigment has a particle size distribution such that no more than 1% by weight of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter larger than 10 microns, at least 65% by weight of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter smaller than 2 microns and not more than 10% by weight of the particles have an equivalent spherical diameter smaller than 0.25 micron, and wherein said pigment is dispersed with a combination of a cationic polyelectrolyte and an anionic polyelectrolyte, with the amount of cationic polyelectrolyte being in the range of about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight, based on the weight of the dry pigment, and with the amount of anionic polyelectrolyte being in the range of about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight.

Abstract: A whiteware ceramic composition is provided comprising a filler, 4 to 10% by weight of a flux having a median particle size of below 6 microns, a prefired ceramic material milled separately from the other components, and raw clay constituting from 5 to 20% by weight of the composition. Fired whiteware made by firing the composition of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to synthetic granite tiles made essentially from garnite sand and a process for the production of synthetic garnite tiles essentially from garnet sand which is a by-product of beach sand from rare earths extraction, said process comprising mixing beach sand garnet, feldspar and clay thoroughly; pressing the mixture using a press at a pressure in the range of 40-80 MPa to form tiles of desired shapes and sizes; drying the tiles so formed at a temperature of 100.degree.-120.degree. C.; firing the dried tiles at a temperature in the range of 1050.degree.-1250.degree. C. with a soaking for a period ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, and polishing the resultant tiles.

Abstract: A corundum porcelain composition containing from 60 to 94% by weight of a component A and from 6 to 40% by weight of a component B, wherein component A contains from 0 to 70% by weight of alumina, from 20 to 70% by weight of clay material, from 10 to 50% by weight of glass formers and from 0 to 30% by weight of quartz, and component B comprises comminuted broken porcelain, the chemical composition of the mixture of the components A and B comprises from 20 to 75% by weight of SiO.sub.2, from 15 to 80% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and from 2 to 10% by weight of flux selected from the group consisting of K.sub.2 O, Na.sub.2 O, FeO, MgO, CaO, Li.sub.2 O; BaO, SrO, ZnO and fluoride, and the comminuted broken porcelain has a mean particle size between 25 and 800 .mu.m, useful, for example, in sintered bodies, such as insulators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porcelain with a transparency and strength properties of a hard porcelain, characterized by a phosphate-containing glass phase as well as the predominance of unreacted quartz bodies [sic; grains] in the matrix. The invention relates to a porcelain batch composition as well as to a method for the manufacture of the porcelain.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to shorten the working time for high pressure slip casting. There is provided a composition for high pressure casting slip including a first starting powder forming a frame of a mold body and second starting powder forming the frame of the mold body and acting as a plastic agent, wherein the first and second starting powders are uniformly mixed in a dry condition. "Slip" of a minimum water content is easily prepared by the composition to effect optimal fluidity of the slip so that the water is removed from the slip in a short time during a casting process.

Abstract: Sodium alumino-silicates are produced by silicate/clay reactions under hydrothermal conditions with increased solids during processing while still producing structural materials characterized by low oil absorption values, high total pore volume and increased differential pore volumes. The products are useful as coating pigments for paper and paperboard, paper fillers, paint pigments and as reinforcing pigments for rubber.

Abstract: The present invention has disclosed raw materials for producing color ceramic products, which is prepared by using V-bearing titanomagnetite tails obtained after ore dressing as base material with a given proportion of additives and with or without coloring agents. The total content of Fe, Ti, Co, and Ni in said base material is in a range of about 3-45% by weight. The raw materials of the present invention have the advantages of no free iron and soluble vanadium compounds contained therein, thus when they are used to produce ceramic products, they can be sintered in a wide temperature range within shorter time. The products produced therefrom have the advantages of higher strength and hardness, lower water absorption, higher corrosion resistance, and stable tints. Products with a variety of sorts and various colors can be produced by using the raw materials of the present invention.

Abstract: A slurry composition is described, which comprises 100 parts by weight of a raw mineral material for white ware and/or a raw mineral material for advanced ceramics, from 0.5 to 20 parts by weight of a re-dispersible resin powder, and water. A shaping using the slurry composition and a fired body are also described.

Abstract: A method for making a high strength porcelain for use as an insulator or a structural ceramic, comprising:A) forming a mixture comprising alumina, clay and a fluxing material;B) forming the mixture into a shaped article; andC) firing the shaped article.

Abstract: Pigments for use in paper are comprised of structured aggregate clays which are reaction products of kaolin clays and colloidal silicas. Silica modified clays of low treatment level can under certain high-shear mixing conditions be attritioned back to their starting clay particle size consequently yielding silica coated clay particles that provide unique properties. Also provided are structured aggregate clay products produced by the reaction of kaolin clay, colloidal silicas and spacer particles such as titanium dioxide, which products have improved porosity and light scattering characteristics. Also provided are clay slurry products which comprise mixtures of the reaction product of kaolin clay and colloidal silica, and optionally titanium dioxide, blended with other clay products.

Abstract: A process for beneficiating crude kaolin clay under defined conditions with a sufficient amount and concentration of aluminum chlorhydrate (0.5 to about 5.0 active wt. %) to improve the clay's ability to adsorb pitch during the process of making paper. The invention also relates to the treated clay and to the use of the clay in a papermaking process to absorb pitch and/or anionic trash.

Abstract: A porcelain having 9 to 55% by weight of SiO.sub.2, 36 to 87% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0 to 2.0% by weight of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0 to 1.0% by weight of TiO.sub.2, 0 to 0.5% by weight of CaO, 0 to 0.5% by weight of MgO, 1.0 to 4.0% by weight of K.sub.2 O and Na.sub.2 O combined, and 0.25 to 25.0% by weight of bismuth oxide is disclosed. The porcelain has unexpectedly high unglazed bending strength and may be used for dielectric and structural applications.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a aggregated composite pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by contacting a substantially dry fine particle size mixture of kaolin and one or more additional feed minerals with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then recovering the aggregated composite pigment.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a layered composite pigment comprising a first pigment particle having a charge of one sign and a second pigment particle having a charge of opposite sign to said one sign. The first pigment particle is an inorganic pigment particle. The first inorganic pigment particle has adsorbed on its surface an organic polymeric dispersant. The dispersant is selected from the group consisting of (a) an anionic or cationic polyelectrolyte dispersant; (b) a cationic synthetic latex having dispersant functionality; and (c) a cationic water-soluble binder having dispersant functionality. The dispersant is adsorbed onto the surface of the inorganic pigment particle in an amount effective to disperse the inorganic particle in an aqueous medium. The second pigment particle is selected from the group consisting of (a') an anionic or cationic synthetic latex particle or swollen binder particle which said swollen binder particle has a particle size greater than 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porcelain with a transparency and strength properties of a hard porcelain, characterized by a phosphate-containing glass phase as well as the predominance of unreacted quartz grains in the matrix. The invention relates to a porcelain batch composition as well as to a method for the manufacture of the porcelain.

Abstract: Paper coating pigments comprising mechanically delaminated kaolin particles. The pigments possess the opacification, smoothness and printability advantages of conventional delaminated kaolin pigments but have desirably low viscosity and gloss not characteristic of conventional delaminated kaolin pigments. Crude kaolins of specified physical characteristics for production of these pigments by controlled delamination.

Abstract: A vitreous china comprises, as principal components, 25 to 70% by weight of a glass phase and 75 to 30% by weight of a crystalline phase, the glass phase comprising, as principal chemical components, 4 to 12% by weight of K.sub.2 O+Na.sub.2 O, 50 to 75% by weight of SiO.sub.2 and 17 to 40% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 while the total amount of the glass phase is defined to be 100% by weight, and the crystalline phase comprising, as principal mineral components, 10 to 60% by weight of .alpha.-alumina, 0 to 20% by weight of quartz and 2 to 20% by weight of mullite while the total amount of the vitreous china is defined to be 100% by weight. The vitreous china and the method for preparing the same may permit the marked improvement of the mechanical strength of the vitreous china. The mechanical strength may be improved without adversely affecting other physical properties (such as high temperature deformation, resistance to thermal shock and firing temperature).

Abstract: Described in a joining agent for joining electrically ceramic bodies by heating the joining agent inserted at the parts to be jointed between the ceramic bodies with an electric current flowing predominantly through the joining agent at high temperature. The joining agent is superior in the wetability and reactivity with the ceramics to ensure the joint part strength. The joining agent includes, as an electric conductor, an electric conductive component made of an ion conductor consisting of fluoride, chloride, and/or oxide, which forms carrier ions by the pre-heating and has an electric conductivity higher than that of the ceramic body at the electric current supplying time. During the supplying electric current to time, the joining agent has the electric resistance increased gradually at the molten state of the joining agent by decreasing the density or the mobility of the carrier ions.

Abstract: Composite pigments and processes for making the same, useful as partial or total replacement for pigments conventionally employed in paper, paper coatings, paint, ink, and in rubber, are disclosed. The composite pigments comprise one or more synthetic or natural core particles having adsorbed on the surface thereof a polymeric dispersant having a positive or negative charge, and one or more natural or synthetic co-particles having adsorbed on the surface thereof a polymeric dispersant having a positive or negative charge opposite the charge of the core particles. The composite pigments provide improved optical and other properties.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a aggregated kaolin pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by contacting a substantially dry fine particle size kaolin with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then recovering the aggregated kaolin pigment.

Abstract: A composition useful for the top layer of two-layered stoneware or semi-stoneware tiles has, with or without added coloring substances or pigments, the following composition:______________________________________ Clay (white burning) 13-40% by weight, Wollastonite 0-25% by weight, Potassium feldspar 8-32% by weight, Sodium feldspar 5-15% by weight, Lithium feldspar 0-12% by weight, Nepheline-Syenite 3-15% by weight, Frit 0-25% by weight, ZnO 0-5% by weight, Calcined kaolin/clay 6-24% by weight, Calcined aluminum oxide 3-16% by weight, and ZrSiO.sub.4 0-10% by weight.

Abstract: A smectite clay is provided as an elevated solids aqueous slurry e.g. up to 50% solids, which is composed of the smectite clay slurried or dispersed in water containing an effective concentration of a monovalent salt. When such a salt is present in the clay slurry, the clay does not swell appreciably, is essentially inactive, and the slurry can be shipped and stored without creating a gelling problem. When this slurry is diluted with fresh water at the point of application to make it of the desired solids content for use, the smectite clay is activated and exhibits the desired properties, such as viscosity, retention, etc.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a aggregated kaolin pigment having desired physical and optical characteristics when used as a coating, filler or pigment in paper. The aggregated pigment is produced by mixing an aqueous slurry of a fine particle kaolin with a previously hydrolyzed organic silicon compound, such as hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, and then spray drying the mixture to form a dry, chemically aggregated kaolin pigment.

Abstract: Sodium Aluminosilicates (SAMS) are produced by silicate/clay reactions under hydrothermal conditions, the SAMS being characterized by low oil absorption values and high total pore volumes. The SAMS products are useful as coating pigments for paper, paper fillers and paint pigments.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved ceramic compositions which are useful in the formulation of microwave susceptors and to the susceptors fabricated therefrom for disposable packages for the microwave heating of food items. The compositions include certain metal salts as time/temperature profile moderators in addition to a novel microwave absorbing material and a binder. Certain metal salts can be used to dampen or lower the final temperatures reached upon microwave heating the ceramic compositions. Other metal salts can be used to increase or accelerate the final temperature reached upon microwave heating. The microwave absorbing materials comprise selected ceramics in both their native and amphoteric forms. Such useful ceramics are those with residual lattice charges or an unbalance of charge in the fundamental framework or layers such as vermiculite, bentonite, hectorite, zeolites, selected micas including Glauconite, phlogopite and Biotite and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Paper coating pigments comprising mechanically delaminated kaolin particles. The pigments possess the opacification, smoothness and printability advantages of conventional delaminated kaolin pigments but have desirably low viscosity and gloss not characteristic of conventional delaminated kaolin pigments.

Abstract: High performance synthetic sodium aluminosilicate compositions, and the method of making the same by the hydrothermal reaction of certain delaminated kaolin clays with select sodium silicate reagents, result in enhanced performance flatting agents for paint systems and anti-block agents for plastic film applications.

Abstract: A slurry composition which may be used to produce a casting slip is provided. The slurry is made by blending a ball clay/water mixture together with a separate mixture of clay and water.The blended slurry thus produced contains from about 0.01 to about 1.0 weight percent of polyelectrolyte. When this blended slurry is mixed with from 40 to 55 parts of nonplastic material (such as flint), a casting slip is produced.

Abstract: A method for forming a hydrothermally aggregated kaolin clay pigment, comprising: preparing an aqueous slurry of a particulate kaolin clay, sodium silicate, and finely divided calcium carbonate, having a total solids concentration of from about 10 to 20% by weight; the non-aqueous components including 60 to 80 parts per hundred by weight of said kaolin and from 10 to 20 pph by weight each of said sodium silicate and said calcium carbonate; and hydrothermally treating said slurry in a closed system to form aggregates of adherent kaolin platelets.

Abstract: An improved gunning composition for use in the steel industry includes between 60-75% by weight of a refractory base material, 10-20% by weight of silicon carbide, 7-15% by weight of ball clay, 4-8% by weight of a silica binder material, and, optionally, 5-10% by weight of a graphite material. The silica binder replaces binders composed of petroleum pitch or clay. The silica binder causes the composition to have (1) better adhesion, (2) less cracking, (3) improved strength, and (4) increased resistance to oxidation, corrosion and erosion.

Abstract: In a method of preparing a treated clay product, clay is heated such that kalinite in the clay is converted to metakaolin, substantially no mullite being formed. The treated product may be combined with raw ball clay and/or china clay to provide compositions suitable for use in manufacturing china articles. The casting compositions enable the casting step to be accelerated and are particularly suitable for use in pressurized casting methods.

Abstract: The bulk handling characteristics of a calcined kaolin clay powder, including the bulk density and flowability, are significantly improved by forming an aqueous slurry of the calcined kaolin clay powder and spray drying the slurry.

Abstract: A method for producing a low abrasion calcined kaolin pigment which comprises forming an aqueous pulp of crude kaolin dispersing the pulp by adding thereto sufficient water-soluble organic cationic dispersant to impart a positive zeta potential to said particles and, preferably, an acidic pH to said pulp, removing coarse particles from said dispersed pulp and fractionating the dispersed pulp to separate a fine particle size fraction of mineral particles from coarser particles. The fine particle size fraction is dried, pulverized, calcined and repulverized.

Abstract: A defined and delaminated kaolin composition exhibiting high opacity is produced by defining and delaminating a base kaolin clay so as to reduce its colloidal content. The defined and delaminated kaolin composition may also be treated with hexamethylenediamine and aluminum sulfate to further enhance opacity. Whether treated or untreated, the defined and delaminated kaolin composition functions superiorly in paper coating formulations, alone or blended with known coating clays, improving the opacity, print gloss, sheet gloss and printability of paper sheet coated therewith.

Abstract: A lightweight oil and gas well proppant made by simultaneously mixing and compacting a mixture of kaolin clay which has been calcined at a temperature low enough to prevent the formation of mullite and crystobalites to an LOI of 12 or less when tested at 1400.degree. C., and amorphous to microcrystalline silica both of which have been milled to an average agglomerated particle size of 7 microns or less to form green pellets, and then drying, screening and sintering the pellets to form proppant pellets having a specific gravity of 2.7 or less, the proppant having a conductivity of at least 3,000 millidarci-feet as measured by the Stim-Lab Technique after 50 hours at 8,000 psi and 275.degree. F. in the presence of deoxygenated aqueous 2% solution of KCl using sandstone shims.