The present invention relates to the technical domain of additives for aqueous high solids suspensions of mineral materials. The inventive additive comprises specific primary amines and is used for increasing the pH-value of the suspension and/or for increasing the wettability of the mineral materials.

Provided is a kaolin having a finer particle size and a narrower particle size distribution, in combination with suitable morphology. Also provided are a method of preparing the kaolin product and methods of use.

Provided is a kaolin having a finer particle size and a narrower particle size distribution, in combination with suitable morphology. Also provided are a method of preparing the kaolin product and methods of use.

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.

Provided are a kaolin clay for a thermoplastic resin composition that can provide high impact strength and glossiness and a thermoplastic resin composition containing the same. A kaolin clay for a thermoplastic resin composition is subjected to a surface treatment with 0.2 to 10 parts by mass of at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl silicate, ethyl silicate, propyl silicate, and butyl silicate relative to 100 parts by mass of the kaolin clay.

Provided are a kaolin clay for a thermoplastic resin composition that can provide high impact strength and glossiness and a thermoplastic resin composition containing the same. A kaolin clay for a thermoplastic resin composition is subjected to a surface treatment with 0.2 to 10 parts by mass of at least one selected from the group consisting of methyl silicate, ethyl silicate, propyl silicate, and butyl silicate relative to 100 parts by mass of the kaolin clay.

The present invention is directed to processes for preparing a silicone surfactant intercalated clay and a polymer-clay nanocomposite. The processes use silicone surfactants having a molecular weight in the range of 10,000 to 100,000 Dalton to achieve fully exfoliating clay structures. Using these macromolecular silicone surfactants, along with the engineered control of the processing pH and drying stress conditions, this invention provides simple and low-cost methods of making a fully-exfoliated polymer-clay nanocomposite.

A method for producing a clay/polymer composite may include choosing an intercalating agent from among organic constituents of a polymer matrix, forming a polymer-compatible organoclay by mixing and milling an intercalating agent with a clay, and adding a polymer-compatible organoclay to a polymer matrix.

A method for producing a clay/polymer composite may include choosing an intercalating agent from among organic constituents of a polymer matrix, forming a polymer-compatible organoclay by mixing and milling an intercalating agent with a clay, and adding a polymer-compatible organoclay to a polymer matrix.