Surface-modified layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are disclosed, as well as processes by which they are made, and uses of the LDHs in composite materials. The surface-modified LDHs of the invention are more organophilic than their unmodified analogues, which allows the LDHs to be incorporated in a wide variety of materials, wherein the interesting functionality of LDHs may be exploited.

The present invention provides a millable silicone rubber composition characterized by comprising: (A) two raw alkenylated organopolysiloxane rubbers (A-1) and (A-2), i.e., a raw organopolysiloxane rubber including a molecular chain which is represented by a specific empirical formula and in which each of both terminals has been blocked with a trialkenylsiloxy group and a raw organopolysiloxane rubber including a molecular chain which is represented by a specific empirical formula and in which each of both terminals has been blocked with a monoalkenyldialkylsiloxy group; (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least two silicon-atom-bonded hydrogen atoms in the molecule; (C) carbon black having an average primary-particle diameter of 100-350 nm; (D) reinforcing fumed silica having a specific surface area, as determined by the BET adsorption method, of 50 m.sup.2/g or greater; and (E) a platinum-group metal catalyst. This millable silicone rubber composition has an excellent electric-field relaxation ability, a high elongation at break, a reduced tension set, and high dielectric or insulating properties.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a mineral filler product comprising a step of dry grinding a calcium carbonate-containing material in the presence of an agent being a polyol. The mineral filler product according to the present invention was found to have a reduced moisture pickup as compared to prior art products.

The present invention relates to a process for the manufacturing of a calcium carbonate-comprising material, to a calcium carbonate-comprising material obtained by the process as well as the use of the calcium carbonate-comprising material for paper filler and paper coating applications, in plastics applications, in paints, in adhesives, in sealings, in concrete, in agriculture applications, in food applications, in cosmetic applications or in pharmaceutical applications.

The present invention provides highly dispersible precipitated silica having improved structure and properties for use as reinforcing filler in elastomeric compositions and method of preparation thereof. The present invention further provides an alkaline silicate solution having reduced dielectric constant by digesting biogenic silica source with alkaline solution such that soluble organic compounds present in the biogenic silica source leach into the alkaline silicate solution. The alkaline silicate solution obtained as above is then acidified with a mineral acid under particular conditions of pH, temperature, time etc. to obtain the highly dispersible precipitated silica of the present invention.

Provided is a biodegradable resin molded product that exhibits excellent processability and sufficient strength as the molded product, is advantageous in terms of cost and at the same time, has excellent biodegradability under an environment, in particular, marine biodegradability, and a method for producing the same, and pellets used therefor. The molded product is produced using a biodegradable resin composition including a biodegradable resin and heavy calcium carbonate particles in a range by mass of 50:50 to 10:90.

The present invention relates to the use of a surface-reacted calcium carbonate as an anti-blocking agent in polymer(s) containing compositions, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural ground or precipitated calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more H.sub.3O.sup.+ ion donors in an aqueous medium, wherein the carbon dioxide is formed in situ by the H.sub.3O.sup.+ ion donors treatment and/or is supplied from an external source, an anti-blocking agent comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate or a combination of surface reacted calcium carbonate and mineral material, a method for controlling the blocking of polymer(s) containing compositions, a polymer(s) containing composition comprising surface reacted calcium carbonate or a combination of surface reacted calcium carbonate and mineral material, a coating composition comprising such polymer(s) containing composition, as well as a substrate coated with such coating composition.

The invention pertains to a fluoropolymer composition comprising certain tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoromethyvinylether copolymers having well-defined TFE/MVE monomer composition and possessing low molecular weight and a white pigment, to the use of this latter for manufacturing shaped articles, and to shaped articles therefrom, including components of light emitting apparatuses, e.g. LED assemblies.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a nonwoven fabric. In particular, the present invention relates to the production of a nonwoven fabric having desirable tactile and haptic properties, as well as to the nonwoven fabric itself. The process requires the selection of specific materials and process conditions. The fabric is produced from a masterbatch of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer and a surface-treated calcium carbonate filler.

The rubber composition of the present invention is prepared by mixing a rubber component (A), zinc oxide (B), and a co-condensate (C) having a softening point of 150° C. or lower and containing a p-tert-butylphenol-derived constituent unit represented by the following formula (1), an o-phenylphenol-derived constituent unit represented by the following formula (2) and a resorcinol-derived constituent unit represented by the following formula (3), wherein the nitrogen adsorption specific surface area (N.sub.2SA) of the zinc oxide (B) measured according to the BET method is 6 m.sup.2/g or more and 110 m.sup.2/g or less, the mixing amount of the zinc oxide (B) is 5 parts by mass or more and 13 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component (A), and the mixing amount of the co-condensate (C) is 0.1 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component (A). The co-condensate (C) is usable as a replacement for p-tert-octylphenol and p-nonylphenol, has a softening point lower than the maximum temperature in a rubber processing step, and has excellent dispersibility in rubber.

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