Disclosed herein are methods of forming a hydrous kaolin clay product. The method can include (i) refining coarse crude kaolin clay to form a refined, coarse kaolin clay, and/or refining a tertiary, fine crude kaolin clay to form a refined, fine, hydrous kaolin clay, (ii) centrifuging the refined, coarse kaolin clay; the refined, fine, hydrous kaolin clay, or a blend thereof to provide a hydrous kaolin stream, and (iii) refining the hydrous kaolin stream to form the hydrous kaolin clay product. The hydrous kaolin stream can be blended with a delaminated, coarse kaolin clay, prior to refining the hydrous kaolin stream. The hydrous kaolin clay product can have a total alkali content of 0.2% or less by weight of the hydrous kaolin clay product. Compositions including cordierite ceramics, industrial coatings, paints, adhesives, inks, and fillers comprising the hydrous kaolin clay product are also described herein.

Disclosed herein are methods of forming a hydrous kaolin clay product. The method can include (i) refining coarse crude kaolin clay to form a refined, coarse kaolin clay, and/or refining a tertiary, fine crude kaolin clay to form a refined, fine, hydrous kaolin clay, (ii) centrifuging the refined, coarse kaolin clay; the refined, fine, hydrous kaolin clay, or a blend thereof to provide a hydrous kaolin stream, and (iii) refining the hydrous kaolin stream to form the hydrous kaolin clay product. The hydrous kaolin stream can be blended with a delaminated, coarse kaolin clay, prior to refining the hydrous kaolin stream. The hydrous kaolin clay product can have a total alkali content of 0.2% or less by weight of the hydrous kaolin clay product. Compositions including cordierite ceramics, industrial coatings, paints, adhesives, inks, and fillers comprising the hydrous kaolin clay product are also described herein.

There is provide a curable composition comprising a) one or more reactive components that cure upon exposure to suitable conditions, and b) a sulfur impregnated particulate solid which acts as a release agent for sulfur during the cure process; and c) optionally a solvent.

There is provide a curable composition comprising a) one or more reactive components that cure upon exposure to suitable conditions, and b) a sulfur impregnated particulate solid which acts as a release agent for sulfur during the cure process; and c) optionally a solvent.

Disclosed is a method for modifying bentonite to allow the bentonite to be useful in drilling mud applications. The method includes the steps of: preparing bentonite local to Saudi Arabia using raw water to remove contaminants from the bentonite; grinding the bentonite to a fine powder; sieving the fine powder to be between about 50 μm and about 150 μm in particle size to produce a sieved fine powder; mixing the sieved fine powder with polyanionic cellulose polymer to produce a modified bentonite composition; adding the modified bentonite composition to water until a homogeneous solution of modified bentonite in water is formed; and allowing the homogeneous solution of modified bentonite in water to rest for about 16 hours to form a composition useful in drilling mud applications.

An intumescent polymer is provided for molding fire-retardant structures. Expandable graphite is mixed in a polymer matrix to form the intumescent polymer. The expandable graphite is treated with silane to improve the strength of the polymer. Other ingredients may also be included within the polymer, including an acid source, blowing agent, char forming agent, an inorganic filler and a cross-linking agent.

A method for producing nano-clays comprising forming a mixture of a clay and water, wherein water is present in an amount of from 2 to 10% by weight of the total weight of clay and water, and milling the mixture of clay and water in the presence of a grinding media to form the nano-clay.

A method for producing nano-clays comprising forming a mixture of a clay and water, wherein water is present in an amount of from 2 to 10% by weight of the total weight of clay and water, and milling the mixture of clay and water in the presence of a grinding media to form the nano-clay.

A basecoat including a pigment blend that includes a ground calcium carbonate component and a hyperplaty clay component, wherein the ground calcium carbonate component has a coarse particle size distribution, and wherein the hyperplaty clay component has an average aspect ratio of at least 40:1.

A basecoat including a pigment blend that includes a ground calcium carbonate component and a hyperplaty clay component, wherein the ground calcium carbonate component has a coarse particle size distribution, and wherein the hyperplaty clay component has an average aspect ratio of at least 40:1.