The present invention relates to inorganic-organic hybrids (IOHs), methods for their preparation and their use as fire resistant materials or components of fire resistant materials. More specifically, the invention relates to polyamide fire resistant formulations containing IOHs which have application in the production of fire resistant articles or parts thereof for use in the transportation, building, construction and electrical or optical industries.

The present invention relates to inorganic-organic hybrids (IOHs), methods for their preparation and their use as fire resistant materials or components of fire resistant materials. More specifically, the invention relates to polyamide fire resistant formulations containing IOHs which have application in the production of fire resistant articles or parts thereof for use in the transportation, building, construction and electrical or optical industries.

According to the present disclosure, a method of forming an exfoliated or intercalated filler material is provided, wherein the said method comprises the steps of mixing particles of filler material such as montmorillonite (MMT), mica, layered double hydroxide (LDH), and attapulgite (AT) dispersed in an aqueous medium with cationic acrylate monomers to form modified particles comprising positively charged ions, dispersing the modified particles in organic medium to form a dispersion, contacting said dispersion with an organo-silicate such as tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and a functionalizing agent comprising an organo-silane such as aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), in the presence of a basic catalyst to form a layer of silica on the modified particles. The present disclosure also relates to an exfoliated or intercalated filler material obtained by the said method as well as a method of forming a resin/clay nanocomposite.

According to the present disclosure, a method of forming an exfoliated or intercalated filler material is provided, wherein the said method comprises the steps of mixing particles of filler material such as montmorillonite (MMT), mica, layered double hydroxide (LDH), and attapulgite (AT) dispersed in an aqueous medium with cationic acrylate monomers to form modified particles comprising positively charged ions, dispersing the modified particles in organic medium to form a dispersion, contacting said dispersion with an organo-silicate such as tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and a functionalizing agent comprising an organo-silane such as aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), in the presence of a basic catalyst to form a layer of silica on the modified particles. The present disclosure also relates to an exfoliated or intercalated filler material obtained by the said method as well as a method of forming a resin/clay nanocomposite.

A methodology for producing modified nanoclays which, when added to an elastomer, provide elastomeric nanocomposites with improved ageing, rheological and mechanical properties, and which can be devoid of, or containing low amount of, a filler such as carbon black, is provided. The modified nanoclays are made of a nanoclay, such as an organomodified nanoclay, modified so as to be in association with an amine-containing antioxidant and optionally also with a silyl-containing compound, such as mercaptosiloxane. Also provided are processes of preparing the modified nanoclays, elastomeric composites containing same and articles containing the elastomeric composites.

A methodology for producing modified nanoclays which, when added to an elastomer, provide elastomeric nanocomposites with improved ageing, rheological and mechanical properties, and which can be devoid of, or containing low amount of, a filler such as carbon black, is provided. The modified nanoclays are made of a nanoclay, such as an organomodified nanoclay, modified so as to be in association with an amine-containing antioxidant and optionally also with a silyl-containing compound, such as mercaptosiloxane. Also provided are processes of preparing the modified nanoclays, elastomeric composites containing same and articles containing the elastomeric composites.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to synthetic functionalized additives, which may comprise a layered magnesium silicate. The present disclosure is also directed to drilling fluids that may comprise an aqueous base fluid and a synthetic functionalized additive. The present disclosure is further directed to methods for producing drilling fluids.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to synthetic functionalized additives, which may comprise a layered magnesium silicate. The present disclosure is also directed to drilling fluids that may comprise an aqueous base fluid and a synthetic functionalized additive. The present disclosure is further directed to methods for producing drilling fluids.

The present invention relates to sheet silicate lamellae of a 2:1 sheet silicate with a high aspect ratio, to a method for producing these sheet silicate lamellae and to an aqueous dispersion which comprises the sheet silicate lamellae. The present invention further relates to the use of the sheet silicate lamellae of the invention for producing a composite material, and also to a corresponding composite material comprising or obtainable using the sheet silicate lamellae, more particularly for use as a diffusion barrier or as a flame retardant.

The present invention relates to sheet silicate lamellae of a 2:1 sheet silicate with a high aspect ratio, to a method for producing these sheet silicate lamellae and to an aqueous dispersion which comprises the sheet silicate lamellae. The present invention further relates to the use of the sheet silicate lamellae of the invention for producing a composite material, and also to a corresponding composite material comprising or obtainable using the sheet silicate lamellae, more particularly for use as a diffusion barrier or as a flame retardant.