Abstract: Polymer (e.g., poly(ethylene oxide) or polystyrene is intercalated into galleries of 2:1 layered silicate in the absence of solvent to provide composite where the polymer does not demonstrate melting or glass transition. In a variation, polymer (e.g., polyamide) matrix containing layers of silicate of height less than 1 nanometer is produced by delaminating layers of silicate during the intercalation.

Abstract: Unvulcanized rubber mixture includes at least one rubber, aggregate, and at least one filler, wherein a surface of the at least one filler has been modified with a stimuli-sensitive substance. A filler for unvulcanized rubber mixtures includes a surface which has been modified with a stimuli-sensitive substance. A process for making an unvulcanized rubber mixture including at least one rubber, aggregate, and at least one filler, wherein a surface of the at least one filler has been modified with a stimuli-sensitive substance. The process includes coating a surface of at least one filler with a stimuli-sensitive substance to form at least one coated filler, and mixing the at least one coated filler with unvulcanized rubber and aggregate. A rubber product formed from an unvulcanized rubber mixture includes at least one rubber, aggregate, and at least one filler, wherein a surface of the at least one filler has been modified with a stimuli-sensitive substance.

Abstract: A substrate with an organic undercoat as bonding layer for a printing medium to be deposited subsequently on the substrate in a printing process is such that the organic undercoat contains fine grained constituents of organic and/or inorganic substances, whereby the surface of the inorganic constituents is treated or provided with a coating of organic substances. Suitable inorganic constituents are e.g. highly dispersed silica, the surface of which is treated with a resin or a polymer. Suitable compositions for the organic undercoat layer on the substrate are organic coatings based on many commercially available organic coating materials with an addition of e.g. 0.3 to 20 wt. % silica. By adding highly dispersed silica to the undercoat the adhesion between the undercoat and the printing medium can be greatly improved, also in the case of laser printing methods with small thermal energy.

Abstract: Organophilic phyllosilicates which have been prepared by treating a naturally occurring or synthetic phyllosilicate, or a mixture of such silicates, with a salt of a quaternary or other cyclic amidine compound, or with a mixture of such salts; polymeric systems, in particular thermoplastic polymers and thermosetting polymer systems, preferably epoxy resins, polyurethanes and rubbers, which comprise novel organophilic phyllosilicates, and also shapable moulding materials and finished mouldings in the form of composite materials, in particular in the form of nanocomposites.

Abstract: The present invention provides a resin additive obtained by subjecting inorganic particles of silica or alumina to surface treatment with tannic acid and further subjecting them to surface treatment with a coupling agent, or subjecting inorganic particles to surface treatment with tannic acid and then subjecting them to surface treatment with a phenone compound or saccharides, followed by further subjecting them to surface treatment with a coupling agent. The above resin additive has an effect to provide a thermoplastic resin with heat stability in heating and melting the resin and prevent a reduction in the IZOT impact strength.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition for sealing semiconductors which does not contain any halogen compounds or antimony compounds, has an excellent flame retarding property and shows excellent high temperatures storage life and reliability in a humid condition, and a semiconductor device are provided. The epoxy resin composition for sealing semiconductors comprises (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a phenol resin curing agents, (C) a curing accelerator, (D) an inorganic filler and (E) zinc molybdate as the essential components and the semiconductor device is sealed with this epoxy resin composition.

Abstract: The invention provides an insulating paste, comprising: an organic vehicle containing an organic binder, a photo-polymerization initiator and a photosetting monomer; and a silicate glass powder having a softening point in a range of about 700° C. to 1,050° C. and having an average particle size in a range of about 0.1 to 5.0 &mgr;m, said silicate glass powder being dispersed into said organic vehicle. Preferably, the silicate glass powder of the above insulating paste comprises a composition represented by xSiO2—yB203—zK2O where x+y+z is 100 parts by weight and the values z, y and z are on lines or within a region enclosed by lines passing through four points A(65, 35, 0), B(65, 20, 15), C(85, 0, 15) and D(85, 15, 0) on a ternary diagram thereof.

Abstract: Three-phase composite materials system having a low dielectric constant and physico-chemical properties suitable for IC fabrication conditions, and a method for making such materials, are disclosed. The three-phase composite material includes an organic phase, an inorganic phase and a void phase. The organic phase is in the form of an organic polymer matrix, the void phase is represented by microporosity present in the matrix, and the inorganic phase is implemented as inorganic particles that are coupled, via a coupling agent, to the organic matrix. The low dielectric constant of the composite is attributable to the microporous organic polymer matrix. The inorganic particles are responsible, at least in part, for providing thermal stability and other required physico-chemical properties to the composite.

Abstract: A composite material is described which is characterized by a substrate based on glass fibers, mineral fibers or derived timber products and by a nanocomposite which is in functional contact with said substrate and is obtainable by surface modification of a) colloidal inorganic particles with b) one or more silanes of the general formula (I) Rx—Si—A4-x  (I) where the radicals A are identical or different and are hydroxyl groups or groups which can be removed hydrolytically, except methoxy, the radicals R are identical or different and are groups which cannot be removed hydrolytically and x is 0, 1, 2 or 3, where x≧1 in at least 50 mol % of the silanes; under the conditions of the sol-gel process with a below-stoichiometric amount of water, based on the hydrolysable groups which are present, with formation of a nanocomposite sol, and further hydrolysis and condensation of the nanocomposite sol, if desired, before it is brought into contact with the substrate, followed by curing.

Abstract: Physical properties of polymer resins, particularly amorphous resins such as ABS or SAN copolymers, are markedly improved by dispersing therein a filler-reinforced engineering thermoplastic polyurethane.

Abstract: Surface-treated oxide or siliceous fillers are prepared by esterification of an oxide or siliceous filler with unsaturated compounds containing hydroxyl groups and treatment with sulfur or with sulfur donor, the reactions being carried out either in succession or together. The rubber mixtures obtained using these modified fillers are suitable for the production of highly reinforced, abrasion-resistant moldings, in particular for the production of tires having a low rolling resistance and high abrasion resistance.

Abstract: Provided is a silica base particle having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 10 .mu.m, wherein carboxylic esters are present on the surface of the above particle in a proportion falling in a range of 0.05 to 10% by weight based on the weight of the above particle. A polyester film containing the above silica base particles shows an excellent lubricant property and scratch resistance.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermoplastic nanocomposite is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (a) contacting a swellable layered silicate with a polymerizable aminoaryl lactam monomer to achieve intercalation of said lactam monomer between adjacent layers of said layered silicate; and (b) admixing the intercalated layered silicate with a thermoplastic polymer, and heating the admixture to provide for flow of said polymer and polymerization of the intercalated lactam monomer to cause exfoliation of said layered silicate, thereby forming a thermoplastic nanocomposite having exfoliated silicate layers dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer matrix.

Abstract: A method of preparing a pre-formed elastomer/filler composite of a diene-based elastomer and particulate filler dispersed therein by polymerizing monomers in the presence of said filler with a polymerization promoting catalyst in which at least a portion of said catalyst is pre-deposited on said filler. Such pre-formed elastomer composite is also contemplated as well as a rubber composition comprised of a blend of such pre-formed composite and at least one additional elastomer. Such filler may be, for example, precipitated silica, carbon black and/or a modified carbon black. A tire having a component of such composite or rubber composition such as, for example a tread, is also provided.

Abstract: Titanium dioxide powder with a greatly decreased volatile moisture content can be obtained by surface treating with titanium dioxide powder with addition of a calcium salt and/or a silane coupling agent, or by a surface treatment by addition of an aluminate together with these surface treatments. A masterbatch containing this titanium dioxide powder is of high quality, having no defect due to foam generation upon high temperature processing.

Abstract: A composite of a thermosetting resin with a metallic oxide, prepared by a process which comprises subjecting a metal alkoxide containing a silicon alkoxide and/or a low condensate thereof to hydrolysis and polycondensation in a solution of a phenolic resin and/or thermosetting resin containing a phenolic resin while effecting the removal of the solvents and/or curling reaction of the resins to incorporate a particulate metallic oxide having an average particle diameter of from 0.01 to 5 .mu.m homogeneously in the thermosetting resin with a good interfacial wettability without causing macroscopic phase separation, as well as a process for the preparation of such a composite of a thermosetting resin with a metallic oxide and a process for the preparation of a crack-free molded composite product. A tribological material such as bearing, brake and clutch material includes such a composite as an essential constituent.

Abstract: A rubber composition containing a filler having individual aggregates containing both large and small particles, where the small particles are grafted onto the surface of the large particles. The small particles range from 1 to 30 weight percent of the overall weight of the filler. The large particles range from 70 to 99 weight percent of the overall weight of the filler. The small particles range in size of from 1 to 16 nanometers in diameter and the large particles range in size of from 17 to 500 nanometers in diameter.

Abstract: A composite clay material with the interlayer distance sufficiently expanded by dispersing clay mineral in a low polar polymer on a molecular level and the method for producing the same, blend material and composite clay rubber material using the same and the production method thereof.The composite clay material is formed of a clay mineral rendered compatible with an organic material through ionic bonding to an organic onium ion having 6 or more carbon number and a main guest molecule having a polar group in its main chain and side chain and molecular length equal to or larger than that of said organic onium ion. The main guest molecule is incorporated at least partially into an interlayer section of the clay mineral which has a hydrogen bonding with the polar group of the main guest molecule. The main guest molecule preferably has a molecular weight ranging from about 100 to 100000.

Abstract: A composite clay material with the interlayer distance sufficiently expanded by dispersing clay mineral in a low polar polymer on a molecular level and the method for producing the same, blend material and composite clay rubber material using the same and the production method thereof. The composite clay material is formed of a clay mineral rendered compatible with an organic material through ionic bonding to an organic onium ion having 6 or more carbon number and a main guest molecule having a polar group in its main chain and side chain and molecular length equal to or larger than that of said organic onium ion. The main guest molecule is incorporated at least partially into an interlayer section of the clay mineral which has a hydrogen bonding with the polar group of the main guest molecule. The main guest molecule preferably has a molecular weight ranging from about 100 to 100000.

Abstract: A polyamide resin composition comprising (A) a reinforced polyamide resin which comprises 100 parts by weight of a nylon 6 homopolymer or copolymer and 1 to 20 parts by weight of a layered silicate uniformly dispersed in the polymer on the molecular level and (B) a non-reinforced polyamide resin, a test specimen of said composition having a tensile weld strength of 45 MPa or higher and a flexural modulus of 4 GPa or higher.

Abstract: A modified particle is disclosed wherein a particle has an attached group having the formula: ##STR1## wherein Ar represents an aromatic group; R.sup.1 represents a bond, an arylene group, an alkylene group ##STR2## wherein R.sup.4 is an alkyl or alkylene group or an aryl or arylene group; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which can be the same or different, represent hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, --OR.sup.5, --NHR.sup.5, --NR.sup.5 R.sup.5, or --SR.sup.5, wherein R.sup.5, which is the same or different, represents an alkyl group or an aryl group; and Q represents a labile halide containing species. Also disclosed is a modified particle or aggregate having attached a group having the formula: ##STR3## wherein CoupA represents a Si-containing group, a Ti-containing group, or a Zr-containing group; R.sup.8 and R.sup.9, which can be the same or different, represent hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, --OR.sup.10, --NHR.sup.10, --NR.sup.10 R.sup.10, or --SR.sup.10, wherein R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particulate concentrate compositions formed by intercalation of a polymer polymerizing component into the galleries of a layered inorganic cation exchange composition initially in proton exchanged form and to the use of the particulate concentrates for the preparation of cured polymer-inorganic nanolayer hybrid composite compositions. The polymer polymerizing component comprising the particulate concentrate contains a basic group for reaction with the protons of the inorganic cation exchanger. Also, the polymer polymerizing component contains a functional group for polymerization reaction with a polymer precursor, a mixture of polymer precursors, or a polymer melt which is introduced into the galleries of the inorganic cation exchanger and reacts with the polymer polymerizing component to form a cured polymer-inorganic nanolayer hybrid composite.

Abstract: The stability of colloidal metal oxide particles which have been encapsulated in a polymer resin is extended by the addition of a water-soluble polyacrylamide polymer.

Abstract: Rubber mixtures composed of at least one rubber and at least one water repellent oxide or silicate filler are prepared by treating the filler used, which contains <3 wt. % of physically bound water, with 1 to 100 parts by wt. of a plasticizer, based on 100 parts by wt. of filler, and mixing the filler thus treated in the conventional manner with the rubber used.

Abstract: The present invention describes a barrier layer composition which is applied to at least one surface of a plastic body, preferably a polyolefin hollow body, having the following composition:(a) 35 to 75% by weight of an epoxide-containing or halogen- and epoxide-containing metal oxide sol;(b) 20 to 60% by weight of a fluorine- or sulfo-containing maleic acid hemi ester copolymer or a fluorine- or sulfo-containing maleic acid hemi amide copolymer having the general structural formula ##STR1## wherein M=vinyl monomer; X=oxygen, nitrogen;Y=--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --SO.sub.3 H, --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --F, --(CF.sub.2).sub.n --H;n=2 to 12;(c) 0.5 to 5% by weight of a catalyst based on one or more tertiary amines.

Abstract: Vinyl halide resin compositions containing a metal compound stabilizer and coated acid absorber particles, where the coating consists of a tin-based coating or a complex calcium/zinc/strontium phosphate-based coating, are used to confer heat stability to such compositions. Use of the costabilizers of this invention results in economic advantages and material cost savings.

Abstract: A resin composite comprising an organophilic clay and an ionomer resin is provided. The organophilic clay is dispersed in the ionomer resin to have excellent mechanical properties. A method for producing a resin composite comprises the steps of adding an organophilic clay to an ionomer resin, melting the mixture of the clay and the ionomer resin by heating and shearing the mixture.

Abstract: Oligomeric organosilicon compounds are disclosed of the formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 independently of one another denote H, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkoxy, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) haloalkoxy, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)haloalkyl, phenyl, aryl or aralkyl andZ denotes an alkylidene radical having 0-6 carbon atoms, x can be a statistical average of 1-6 andn=1-150 and . . . means that z can be bonded either to the one or the other C atom, and the particular free valency is occupied by a hydrogen.and their use in rubber mixtures and for the production of shaped articles, in particular pneumatic tires.

Abstract: A polymer nanocomposite composition having sufficiently low air permeability to be usefull as a tire inner liner, among other things, is prepared by blending a layered material with a metal processible non-ionic first polymer having a number average molecular weight greater than 50,000 g/mole and a second non-ionic polymer compatible with the first polymer and having a number average molecular weight less than that of the first polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer and a silicon-treated carbon black, and optionally including a coupling agent. The elastomeric compound exhibits poorer abrasion resistance in the absence of a coupling agent, lower hysteresis at high temperature and comparable or increased hysteresis at low temperature compared to an elastomer containing an untreated carbon black. A variety of elastomers and formulations employing such elastomers are contemplated and disclosed. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and an oxidized, silicon-treated carbon black are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing elastomers compounded with the treated carbon black.

Abstract: A water based binder for use in a slurry for investment casting. The binder includes a mixture of a colloidal silica sol and at least one latex polymer. The latex polymer is preferably an acrylic latex or a styrene butadiene polymer (or a combination of these) which reduces the processing time between dips during shell mold making for investment casting. The latex polymer further lowers a critical concentration point or gelation point of the colloidal silica sol. The binder may be used as a primary binder or a backup binder in the shell mold making process. To make the slurry, the binder is combined with at least one refractory powder, preferably a refractory powder selected from the group of: alumino-silicates, fused silica, quartz silica, alumina, zircon, and zirconia.

Abstract: A process for producing surface-treated carbon black for rubber reinforcement comprising: a surface treatment reaction step of dispersing carbon black for rubber reinforcement in water, followed by reacting a metal silicate and an acid in the dispersion to thereby deposit amorphous silica on the surface of the carbon black; and a subsequent aging step of bringing the pH of the dispersion to not more than 7.

Abstract: A coating material having reflective properties in two wavelength ranges and absorbent properties in a third wavelength range. The coating material comprises a binder, flaky first particles, and second particles. The binder has a transparency greater than 40% in the wavelength ranges of from 0.4 to 0.7 .mu.m and from 10 to 50 .mu.m and a refractive index n in the wavelength ranges less than 2.0. The coating material comprises from 20 to 30 percent by weight, based on the wet weight of the coating material, of the flaky first particles. The flaky first particles have a thickness less than 10 .mu.m and a surface area (length.times.width) greater than 100 .mu.m.sup.2 and a reflectivity R greater than 40% in the wavelength range of from 10 to 50 .mu.m. The second particles at least partially overlap the first particles. The second particles have a transparency greater than 40% only in the wavelength ranges of from 0.4 to 0.7 .mu.m and from 10 to 50 .mu.

Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer and an aggregate comprising a carbon phase and a metal-containing species phase, optionally including a coupling agent. Also disclosed is an aggregate comprising a carbon phase and a metal-containing species phase. A variety of elastomers and formulations employing such elastomers are contemplated and disclosed. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and the aggregate are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing elastomers compounded with the aggregate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to particulate concentrate compositions formed by intercalation of a polymer polymerizing component into the galleries of a layered inorganic cation exchange composition initially in proton exchanged form and to the use of the particulate concentrates for the preparation of cured polymer-inorganic nanolayer hybrid composite compositions. The polymer polymerizing component comprising the particulate concentrate contains a basic group for reaction with the protons of the inorganic cation exchanger. Also, the polymer polymerizing component contains a functional group for polymerization reaction with a polymer precursor, a mixture of polymer precursors, or a polymer melt which is introduced into the galleries of the inorganic cation exchanger and reacts with the polymer polymerizing component to form a cured polymer-inorganic nanolayer hybrid composite.

Abstract: For making a cement such as a dental cement by reacting an organic polyacid (such as polyacrylic acid or polyvinylphosphonic acid or a copolymer of these) with an ion-leachable glass as the base, the invention offers a glass containing the cations Al, Si, Ca and Zn wherein Si:Al>1.5 and Zn is 30-70 percent of those cations. The glass is made by heat treating an aqueous paste of Al, Si, and Ca oxides, such as bentonite, with ZnO and a precursor of ZnO such as zinc acetate, whereby the zinc forms a layer on the glass and is also incorporated as a glass network former. The setting of the cement is speeded and sharpened by using around 2% MgCl.sub.2.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a mold for making products from fibrous materials by performing a combination of steps of(1) applying a thin layer of resin on a supporting stage(2) selectively irradiating the thin layer of resin as to cure a selected part of said resin(3) applying a further thin layer of resin, and repeating steps (2) and (3) as to obtain a three dimensional shape of a plurality of cured layers, optionally combined with either one of the steps of washing and post-curing the three dimensional shape, as to obtain the mold, wherein the resin ocmpositiona is formulated from constituents comprises at least one photoreaction monomer at least one photoinitiator at least one filler.

Abstract: An effective production method for silane-treated clays having exceptional reinforcing effects with respect to rubber, and compositions using these silane-treated clays are offered. With the silane-treated clay production method, a functional silane is predispersed or emulsified in water by means of a surfactant in order to mix the functional silane with kaolin clay and thereby uniformly surface-treat the kaolin clay with the functional silane. The surfactant should preferably be a non-ionic surfactant with an HLB value in the range of 8-18. The silane-treated clay formed by surface-treating kaolin clay by means of these functional silanes characteristically contains low residual levels of the non-ionic surfactants. The functional silanes can be either vinyl or sulfur functional silanes. The silane treated clays are useful as fillers or extenders in rubber compositions, particularly those employing silicas and/or carbon blacks.

Abstract: Modified mineral fillers, derived from either a coarse particle kaolin clay or a coarse particle ATH, having excellent utility in thermoset polymers as low paste viscosity fillers are disclosed. The method of treatment involves the use of specific weight ratio combinations of a silane and a long chain aliphatic alcohol. The treatment of clay can also involve the auxiliary use of a surfactant in small amounts, which is utilized to emulsify the silane and aliphatic alcohol treatment components in water either individually or as a co-emulsion blend prior to their addition to the clay. The surfactant, which is preferably a nonionic surfactant having a HLB value of 12-18, aides in uniformly treating all the clay particle surfaces with the silane/alcohol treatment combination. Coarse particle clays having general utility in the invention are those having an average Stokes equivalent particle diameter of at least 3.

Abstract: Disclosed are elastomeric compounds including an elastomer and a silicon-treated carbon black, and optionally including a coupling agent. The elastomeric compound exhibits poorer abrasion resistance, lower hysterisis at high temperature and comparable or increased hysterisis at low temperature compared to an elastomer containing an untreated carbon black. Elastomeric compounds incorporating an elastomer and an oxidized, silicon-treated carbon black are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for preparing elastomers compounded with the treated carbon black.

Abstract: The present invention discloses blends of silanes and specific silicas, characterized in that when the blend is compounded into a rubber formulation even after 4 months of storage following formation of the blend, an unexpectedly high proportion of the silane present is available as a coupling and reinforcing agent for the rubber formulation. Over 80% and even over 90% of the silica can be extracted or described from the blend even 4 months after formation of the blend, and rubber formulation properties indicate high availability of the silane for coupling and reinforcement.

Abstract: Alkoxides with polymerizable groups are single source precursors for organic-inorganic hybrid composites possessing good mechanical properties. Additional function groups of the alkoxides provide enhanced adhesion to other surfaces, such as dentin. The selection of specific organic monomers having functional groups that are responsible for enhanced properties of the organic-inorganic hybrid composites is important. Single source precursors containing the desired functional groups are condensed and polymerized into the organic-inorganic hybrid composites with enhanced properties which are particularly useful as dental composites.

Abstract: A dental resin material which is formed into a dental prosthesis by milling processing is disclosed, comprising an acrylic resin polymer containing from 20 to 70% by weight of an inorganic filler having a mean particle size of from 0.01 to 0.04 .mu.m in diameter. A process for producing a dental resin material is also disclosed, which comprises polymerizing for curing a mixture comprising a combination of from 20 to 70% by weight of an inorganic filler having a mean particle size of from 0.01 to 0.04 .mu.m in diameter, a methacrylate or acrylate monomer having at least one unsaturated double bond, and a heat polymerization initiator while elevating the pressure and heating under the conditions that the pressure is from 50 to 300 MPa and that the temperature is from 100 to 200.degree. C.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenging composition composed of a carrier and an ascorbate based agent impregnated inert, porous particulate material distributed throughout the carrier. The composition is contained within the interior cavity of a container to scavenge oxygen therein. The composition may form at least a part of the interior surface of the container or be present therein in the form of a film, mat, sachet or ceramic.

Abstract: A composite clay material with the interlayer distance sufficiently expanded by dispersing clay mineral in a low polar polymer on a molecular level and the method for producing the same, blend material and composite clay rubber material using the same and the production method thereof.The composite clay material is formed of a clay mineral rendered compatible with an organic material through ionic bonding to an organic onium ion having 6 or more carbon number and a main guest molecule having a polar group in its main chain and side chain and molecular length equal to or larger than that of said organic onium ion. The main guest molecule is incorporated at least partially into an interlayer section of the clay mineral which has a hydrogen bonding with the polar group of the main guest molecule. The main guest molecule preferably has a molecular weight ranging from about 100 to 100000.

Abstract: The invention relates to polyurethane compositions and especially to elastic polyurethane fibers resulting therefrom which can be employed for swimwear in aqueous, chlorine-containing environments such as swimming pools, for example. The invention relates in particular to polyurethane compositions and especially to elastic polyurethane fibers resulting therefrom that contain hydrotalcites and/or other basic metal aluminium hydroxy compounds coated with polyorganosiloxane or with a mixture of polyorganosiloxane and polyorganohydrogensiloxane.

Abstract: Three-phase composite materials system having a low dielectric constant and physico-chemical properties suitable for IC fabrication conditions, and a method for making such materials, are disclosed. The three-phase composite material includes an organic phase, an inorganic phase and a void phase. The organic phase is in the form of an organic polymer matrix, the void phase is represented by microporosity present in the matrix, and the inorganic phase is implemented as inorganic particles that are coupled, via a coupling agent, to the organic matrix. The low dielectric constant of the composite is attributable to the microporous organic polymer matrix. The inorganic particles are responsible, at least in part, for providing thermal stability and other required physico-chemical properties to the composite.

Abstract: Nanocomposites are made by melt-blending a melt processable polymer having a high melt processing temperature and an organophosphonium cation modified layered clay. Such modified layered clay is more stable at the higher temperatures encountered during the melt processing of such a melt processable polymer than the modified layered clays used in the prior art, enabling the preparation of the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Silica with the following physico-chemical properties:______________________________________ Specific surface m.sup.2 /g 80-400 Primary particle size nm 7-40 Tapped density g/l 50-300 pH value 3-10 Carbon content % 0.1-15 DBP number % <200 ______________________________________is produced by spraying a silica under intensive mixing, optionally with water or dilute acid at first and then with a surface-modifying reagent or a mixture of several surface-modifying reagents, then mixing, tempering, and subsequently destructuring/compressing and grinding.

Abstract: Polymer (e.g., poly(ethylene oxide) or polystyrene is intercalated into galleries of 2:1 layered silicate in the absence of solvent to provide composite where the polymer does not demonstrate melting or glass transition. In a variation, polymer (e.g., polyamide) matrix containing layers of silicate of height less than 1 nanometer is produced by delaminating layers of silicate during the intercalation.