A silicon nitride powder for sintering which, despite of its fine powdery form, shows a very small increase in the oxygen concentration with time and features excellent storage stability. The silicon nitride powder for sintering has a specific surface area of 5 to 30 m.sup.2/g, and is characterized by having a hydrophobicity (M value) of 30 or more and an increase in the oxygen concentration of 0.30% by mass or less after left to stand in the air of a humidity of 90% and 20° C. for 48 hours. The silicon nitride powder for sintering can be obtained by dry-pulverizing aggregated masses of the silicon nitride in an inert atmosphere in the presence of a silane coupling agent.

A silicon nitride powder for sintering which, despite of its fine powdery form, shows a very small increase in the oxygen concentration with time and features excellent storage stability. The silicon nitride powder for sintering has a specific surface area of 5 to 30 m.sup.2/g, and is characterized by having a hydrophobicity (M value) of 30 or more and an increase in the oxygen concentration of 0.30% by mass or less after left to stand in the air of a humidity of 90% and 20° C. for 48 hours. The silicon nitride powder for sintering can be obtained by dry-pulverizing aggregated masses of the silicon nitride in an inert atmosphere in the presence of a silane coupling agent.

A method for production of coated mineral grit for the manufacture of coating elements with a bituminous support, or with a support comprising a vinyl or acrylic adhesive, for roofing of buildings, the method includes: adding rough mineral grit to a mixer together with a first treatment mixture; mixing the rough mineral grit and the first treatment mixture until a coated mineral grit is obtained; heating the coated mineral grit to a predetermined firing temperature (Tc); and after heating the coated mineral grit, cooling the coated mineral grit to a predetermined intermediate cooling temperature (Tri). The first treatment mixture comprises: water; at least one pigment; at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate and potassium silicate; kaolin; and at least one selected from the group consisting of an organo-siloxane and an organo-silane.

A method for production of coated mineral grit for the manufacture of coating elements with a bituminous support, or with a support comprising a vinyl or acrylic adhesive, for roofing of buildings, the method includes: adding rough mineral grit to a mixer together with a first treatment mixture; mixing the rough mineral grit and the first treatment mixture until a coated mineral grit is obtained; heating the coated mineral grit to a predetermined firing temperature (Tc); and after heating the coated mineral grit, cooling the coated mineral grit to a predetermined intermediate cooling temperature (Tri). The first treatment mixture comprises: water; at least one pigment; at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate and potassium silicate; kaolin; and at least one selected from the group consisting of an organo-siloxane and an organo-silane.

Compositions and methods for glass composites suitable for tissue augmentation, biomedical, and cosmetic applications are provided. The glass microsphere component of the composites are biologically inert, non-reactive and act as a nearly permanent tissue filler. One embodiment provides a tissue augmentation composite containing an effective amount of solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres, porous wall hollow glass microspheres, or combinations thereof with a suitable biocompatible matrix to serve as a bulking agent when injected into a patient. The compositions can be used for soft or hard tissue augmentation as well as delivery of cargos on demand.

Natural amorphous silica filler products featuring high brightness, low oil absorption, fine particle size, and low crystalline silica content are described. Methods for making, using, and measuring the properties of the natural amorphous silica filler products are also described. The natural amorphous silica filler products described herein may be useful in a variety of products including, but not limited to, polymers, sealants, paints, caulks, latex, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, pozzolan, glass catalysts, ceramic glazes, and anti-blocking applications.

Natural amorphous silica filler products featuring high brightness, low oil absorption, fine particle size, and low crystalline silica content are described. Methods for making, using, and measuring the properties of the natural amorphous silica filler products are also described. The natural amorphous silica filler products described herein may be useful in a variety of products including, but not limited to, polymers, sealants, paints, caulks, latex, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, pozzolan, glass catalysts, ceramic glazes, and anti-blocking applications.

The invention relates to a modifying agent for polyolefin resins, comprising a calcium-containing inorganic filler whose particle surface is treated with an alicyclic dicarboxylic acid represented by formula (1) and/or formula (2); a polyolefin resin composition comprising the modifying agent for polyolefin resins; and a polyolefin resin molded article comprising the composition.

##STR00001##

(In formula (1), R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl group, and R.sup.1 binds to the carbon at position 3 or 4 of a cyclohexane ring.)

##STR00002##

(In formula (2), R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl group, and R.sup.2 binds to the carbon at position 3 or 4 of a cyclohexene ring.)

The invention relates to a modifying agent for polyolefin resins, comprising a calcium-containing inorganic filler whose particle surface is treated with an alicyclic dicarboxylic acid represented by formula (1) and/or formula (2); a polyolefin resin composition comprising the modifying agent for polyolefin resins; and a polyolefin resin molded article comprising the composition.

##STR00001##

(In formula (1), R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl group, and R.sup.1 binds to the carbon at position 3 or 4 of a cyclohexane ring.)

##STR00002##

(In formula (2), R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl group, and R.sup.2 binds to the carbon at position 3 or 4 of a cyclohexene ring.)

The present invention relates to a method of forming a cured conductive binder material, to a method of forming a curable binder formulation, to a curable binder formulation, to a cured conductive binder material and to an electrochemical cell. In one embodiment, the method of forming a cured conductive binder material includes the steps of: (i) providing a liquid formulation comprising a liquid carrier, at least one active material, at least one polymeric binder and at least one modified metal coordination complex; and (ii) curing the liquid formulation of step (i), to thereby form a cured conductive binder material.