Abstract: A method for preparing high solids suspensions of calcined clay which are stable without the necessity of adding a colloidal thickening agent and have minimal dilatancy. A calcined kaolin clay pigment, substantially free of anionic dispersant, is dispersed in water by addition of alkali to provide a neutral to mildly alkaline aqueous slurry. To the dispersed slurry, a water-soluble cationic organic polymer is added in minor amounts, to partially flocculate and thicken the slurry, thereby stabilizing the slurry against sedimentation.

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 biologically stable kaolin clay slurry is manufactured by heating a kaolin clay slurry for at least 15 minutes at a temperature of at least 93.degree. C., cooling the slurry to a temperature no greater than about 35.degree. C. and then adding a microbiocide to the slurry.

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: A method which enables economical and highly effective preparation of refined kaolin clay products having preselected particle size distributions and brightnesses, by means of separate, efficient and economical processing of at least two crude components. A fine particle size kaolin crude having a PSD such that at least 85% by weight of the particles are of less than 2 micrometers ESD is wet beneficiated to provide a first product component having a PSD of at least 95% by weight less than 2 micrometers and a brightness of at least 89 on the G.E. scale. This wet beneficiation is conducted without use of a froth flotation step. A coarse particle size kaolin crude having a PSD such that less than 85% by weight of particles are of less than 2 micrometers ESD, is separately wet beneficiated to produce a second product component having a PSD of no more than 85% by weight less than 2 micrometers and a brightness of at least 89 on the G.E. scale.

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: A novel organophilic clay gellant comprising the reaction product of:(a) a smectite clay having a cation exchange capacity of at least 75 milliequivalents per 100 grams of natural clay without impurities;(b) a first organic cation in an amount of from about 75% to about 150% of the cation exchange capacity of the smectite clay;(c) a second organic cation provided by a polyalkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt; and(d) one or more organic anion(s) that is capable of reacting with said first and second organic cations, to form an organic cation-organic anion complex with said smectite clay.The organophilic clay gellant is used in a non-aqueous fluid system such as paints, inks, and coatings to provide improved theological properties.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry of smectite clay of elevated solids content, comprising an aqueous solution or emulsion of from about 0.5 to about 13% by weight of said slurry of a salt of a low molecular weight amine salt, in which is dispersed from about 10 to 47% by weight of the slurry, of a smectite clay. The amine salt is effective to prevent the smectite from swelling appreciably, whereby the slurry can be shipped and stored without creating a gelling problem. The inhibiting or suppressing effect of the amine salt on the swelling of the clay and on gelling of the slurry is reversible upon subsequent dilution with water, thereby facilitating use of the smectite in typical applications, e.g. as a retention aid in paper making, or as a viscosifier.

Abstract: Improved organophilic clay gellants for highly viscous systems such as asphalt and creosote can be prepared by a process wherein the smectite-type clay is gently dried and/or subjected to minimum or no grinding. The organophilic clay agent may be used to thicken a variety of organic compositions including pitch and heavy resins. In a preferred aspect, the organophilic clay gellant can be directly added to asphalt systems in order to efficiently and effectively modify the viscosity thereof without the use of either a polar activator as a dispersion agent or a preactivation agent.

Abstract: A low brightness pigment and method is provided from a heretofore rejected waste kaolin stream. Kaolin processing rejects are high in iron-stained TiO.sub.2. After separating the stained TiO.sub.2 from the high brightness kaolin and concentrating the resulting fraction, the material can be processed to produce a low brightness pigment suitable of many applications where lower brightness is desirable, such as coating paper board without mottling.

Abstract: A hydrophobic filler material for alkaline paper is disclosed. The filler material comprises finely divided particles of an inorganic material, a majority of particles having a surface all of which is substantially modified with a water soluble C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty acid salt and a metal ion in an amount at least effective to complex all of the fatty acid salt present. An alkaline paper is disclosed. The alkaline paper comprises a hydrophobic filler material comprising finely divided inorganic material, a majority of particles having substantially all of their surface being modified with a water soluble C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty acid salt. A method for improving sizing of alkaline paper is disclosed, comprising preparing a filler material and adding the same to cellulose fiber. The filler material is prepared by selecting finely divided particles of an inorganic material and substantially modifying all of the surface of a majority of the particles with a C.sub.12 -C.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for manufacturing an inorganic porous layered member which can maintain a sufficient distance between layers to show a high degree of heat insulating properties. In the manufacturing method for the inorganic porous layered member according to the present invention, an inorganic layered compound 12 having swelling charecteristics is swelled, and an inorganic pillar and an organic pillar are intercalated to form inorganic compound 16 between layers 14 of the inorganic layered compound 12. Fine gaps are thus formed in a wide range by the intercalation of the inorganic compound 16 between the layers 14 to maintain a sufficient distance between the layers 14, and the inorganic porous layered member 10 having high heat insulating properties is thus produced.

Abstract: Organoclays made from smectite-type clays are described as rheological additives for clear systems including clear coat paints, lacquers, varnishes and personal care products. Such additives impart desirable properties to such systems and do not adversely impact the desired properties of clarity and transparency required in such systems.

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 organically modified clay is manufactured by a process wherein a clay having an exchangeable, cationic species therein is combined with a cationic organic material, subjected to a high confining pressure and mixed while under pressure so as to promote an ion exchange reaction whereby the cationic species is incorporated into the clay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for reducing the inherent low shear viscosity of kaolin clays contaminated with expandable layer minerals. A water soluble tetraalkyl ammonium compound is contacted with the clay during conventional wet processing.

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: There is provided a method for preparing organic-swelled layered silicate by direct crystallization from an alkaline reaction mixture containing a source of silicon oxide and organic onium compound, e.g., a cetyltrimethylammonium salt. Layered silicates containing interlayer polymeric chalcogenide are prepared by contacting the organic-swelled layered silicate with a source of polymeric chalcogenide, e.g., tetraethylorthosilicate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for selectively purifying ceramic materials for glass, paper and electronics use contaminated with iron compounds, the process using ascorbic acid or its derivatives as the iron reducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple inexpensive means to decrease the abrasivity of abrasive pigments such as calcined kaolin and titania. In accordance with this invention, a trace of a nonionic surfactant of the general formula ##STR1## is incorporated with abrasive pigment prior to or during the preparation of an aqueous pigment slurry or to dry pigment.

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: A chemical process is described for removing ferric iron present in submarginal quantities in concentrates of kaolin, quartz, titanium minerals, ceramic minerals for glass, paper and electronics use and other materials of industrial interest by which ferric iron is reduced to ferrous iron using acid solutions, possibly in the presence of low concentrations of sugars containing 5 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: An anti-tack composition and method based on a kaolin clay/nonionic surfactant of intermediate HLB is disclosed where the surfactant is preferably an ethoxylated, acetylenic diol or octylphenal.

Abstract: Fillers and pigments, such as clay, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, silicas, and silicoaluminates, can be rendered cationic by treating the fillers or pigments with the reaction product of a polyamine or polyamide and epichlorohydrin. The resulting water soluble cationic fillers or pigments are useful in the paper industry as fillers for paper and can also be utilized in coating paper.

Abstract: A high opacity, defined kaolin clay product having a relatively narrow particle size distribution, low colloidal particle content and an average particle surface area of less than about 30 square meters per gram is prepared by defining an aqueous kaolin clay slurry via controlled centrifugation to remove a substantial portion of the colloidal particles therein. Prior to being subjected to centrifugation, the aqueous kaolin clay slurry is prepared so as to improve the defining process achieved via centrifugation by first subjecting the aqueous kaolin clay suspension to scrub grinding so as to break up agglomerates into individual kaolin clay particles without substantial delamination of the kaolin clay particles.

Abstract: Thioxotropic Fuller's earth clay minerals which are structurally double silica chains linked together through oxygen to form double-ribbed sheets held by aluminum and/or magnesium in octahedral coordination in an amphibole chain are vacuum dried and admixed with a stabilizing fluid, e.g., silicone fluid, to result in new, low moisture content thixotropic agents. The mineral products thus produced are superior thixotropes when compounded in plastics such as plastisols, adhesive sealants, coatings and other organic binder systems which are heat set or heat cured or moisture cured, and compliance coatings.The methods involve reducing the moisture content of Fuller's earth clay, e.g., attapulgite, by (1) heating it under vacuum at an elevated temperature, preferably between 100.degree. C. and 300.degree. C., or (2) heating it at an elevated temperature, preferably between 100.degree. C. and 350.degree. C.

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 process is disclosed for producing high brightness kaolin from ore containing silica, other types of clays, minerals such as ilmenite micas, feldspars and various metal silicates as well as organic matter. The process consists of sizing, a double floatation step, magnetic separation, leaching and oxidative brightening steps. This is a novel combination of conventional unit operations and in particular the use of a double floatation step to remove quartz and various trace minerals that interfere with achieving high optical brightness for kaolin.

Abstract: In the process for preparing an organoclay by reacting a smectite-type clay with a higher alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound, the gelling properties of the organoclay are enhanced by reducing the average particle size of the clay prior to the reaction thereof with the quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: Stable vermiculite dispersions which are substantially free of settling and a method of preparing same are provided. The dispersions are obtained by treating the vermiculite platelets of which the dispersion is comprised with an anionic chelating agent. The anionic chelating agent enhances the rate and degree of swelling of the vermiculite in an aqueous medium. The swollen vermiculite is delaminated by shearing to provide the inventive dispersions.

Abstract: The filtration rate and viscosity of a clay slurry is improved by the addition of a polyalkylene polyamine and, optionally, a latex. The additive is particularly useful in clay beneficiation.

Abstract: A method for producing an attapulgite clay which retains its thixotropic properties, but does not release gases upon being compounded and cured in organic binder systems, such as plastisol, and the resultant low moisture thixotrope. The method involves (1) reducing the moisture content of the attapulgite by heating it under vacuum at an elevated temperature, preferably between 100.degree. C. and 300.degree. C., or (2) reducing the moisture content of the attapulgite by heating it at an elevated temperature, preferably between 100.degree. C. and 350.degree. C., and adding a silicone fluid, to preserve its thixotropic properties.

Abstract: A stabilized aqueous suspension of calcined clay and a method for preparing the same are provided. The method involves an aqueous suspension of calcined clay containing at least 10% by weight clay, and at least 0.05% by weight of a high charge density crosslinked or uncrosslinked acid containing alkali-soluble acrylic copolymer.

Abstract: The rheology of an aqueous slurry of a calcined kaolin clay powder is significantly improved by spray drying a slurry of the calcined kaolin clay powder, recovering the spray-dried material, and forming an aqueous slurry from said spray-dried material.

Abstract: Aqueous mineral slurries are treated prior to dewatering, to increase throughput, with a condensation product of formaldehyde and dicyandiamide, which may be further reacted with ammonia or an ammonia salt and an alkylenepolyamine or copper chloride.

Abstract: Finely divided aqueous mineral slurries such as kaolin clay and calcium carbonate are dewatered, filtered and prepared for shipment by and with the addition of an effective amount (preferably 0.01 to 4.0 pounds per ton of solids) of melamine/formaldehyde polymer.

Abstract: Organophilic clays which are effective fluid loss control additives for oil base well-working fluids are prepared from a swelling smectite clay and one or more phosphatides. Preferred phosphatides are phosphoglycerides obtained from vegetable oils, most preferably commercial lecithin such as soybean lecithin. The organophilic clays may also contain quaternary ammonium compounds.

Abstract: Chemically prepared mica and vermiculite materials are described along with the method for preparing them. The mica and vermiculite has dimethylacetamide-lithium chelation complexes at interlayer cationic sites. These materials can be made into suspensions and flocculated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating phyllosilicate materials by exposing the materials to a source of hydrogen ions to hydrate hydroxyl ions on and in the phyllosilicate structure. The source of hydrogen ions may be a simple organic, or mineral, acid, preferably formic or hydrochloric acid. The hydrated phyllosilicate may then be dehydrated and delaminated by thermal treatment.

Abstract: A particulate kaolin pigment which enhances gloss and printability properties when used as a coating pigment for paper and enhances light scattering and opacifying properties when incorporated as a filler in paper, is obtained by mixing a fine particle kaolin with an aggregating agent comprising an organic silicon compound such as tetramethoxy silane or tetraethoxy silane. The feed kaolin moisture content is in the range of above 2.0 to about 5.0%, preferably 2.5 to 4.0% by weight.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for treating a clay mineral thereby to change its rheological properties when in aqueous suspension such that the fluidity of the aqueous suspension at a given temperature and percentage by weight of completely deflocculated clay mineral solids in the suspension is increased, which process comprises the steps of mixing with the clay mineral in a plastic state a minor proportion by weight of a water-soluble organic compound having a plurality of basic groups and a number average molecular weight not greater than 1000, and subsequently or simultaneously subjecting the mixture to mechanical working under conditions such that from 25 to 1000 KJ of energy per Kg of dry clay mineral are dissipated in the mixture.

Abstract: Kaolin clay treated with 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % of aluminum chlorohydrate or a double hydroxide of aluminum and magnesium are an effective pitch adsorption agent for use in paper making processes.

Abstract: Mixed pillared clays having good thermal stabilities and high surface areas made by liquid phase methods in which an aluminum hydroxy polymer and at least one separate transition metal hydroxy polymer are prepared and mixed with a swelling clay in respective amounts to satisfy selected percentages of the cationic exchange capacity of the clay, are reduced to produce metallic transition metal domains.

Abstract: A bleached, dispersed, high solids slurry is produced from unprocessed crudes at low pH and with minimum work input, using polyacrylic acid as the dispersant. The process involves making the slurry at the highest solids possible without resorting to filtration or spray drying.

Abstract: The use of pectins or the pectin-like materials carboxymethylcellulose, alginic acid, tannins or orthodiphenolic compounds, as additives to clay to provide clay compositions of enhanced plasticity and stability is disclosed.

Abstract: Water can be removed from an aqueous clay slurry using techniques such as filtration wherein the slurry is contacted with an anionic polymer having a molecular weight in the range from about 3,000 to about 1,000,000. The water is removed from the slurry at a rapid rate in order to provide a clay cake.

Abstract: A ball clay/water slurry which may be used to prepare ceramic sanitaryware articles is disclosed. This slurry contains from 58 to 68 percent of ball clay with a specificed particle size distribution, 42 to 32 percent of water, 0.001 to 1.0 of organic polyelectrolyte, and from 50 to 650 parts per million of soluble sulfate ion.The slurry possesses rheological and casting rate properties which make it especially suitable for use in casting slips. It has a settling index of at least 0.9, a flow index of from 20 to 30 seconds, a casting rate of from 30 to 60 grams after 1 hour, and a transmission of at least 60 percent.

Abstract: Organophilic clays useful for modifying the rheological properties of organic fluids are made from a smectite type clay, a quaternary ammonium compound and an organosilane.

Abstract: Organophilic clays useful for modifying the rheological properties of organic fluids are made from a smectite type clay, a quaternary ammonium compound and a zirconium-aluminum organic complex.

Abstract: An organo-clay is prepared by treating a clay mineral of the smectite type with a mixture of di(lower alkyl) arylkyl (higher alkyl) ammonium compound and a di(lower alkyl) di(higher alkyl) ammonium compound and thereafter subjecting the treated clay mineral to high shear mixing for a time sufficient to dissipate in the mixture at least 100 KJ of energy per Kg of dry solids in the mixture. The organo-clay is useful in gelling compositions containing one or more liquid aliphatic alcohols.