The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing micronized sandstone obtained from ceramics or industrial wastes of ceramic manufacturing, such as white paste, natural stones or clinker, including TiO.sub.2 as bio-additive, and product obtained by the micronized sandstone thereof. The ceramics and industrial wastes of ceramic are grinded in several steps and the resultant powders are collected by means of individual filters and further combined in a nanopowder micronizer for posterior treatment, where TiO.sub.2 hydrolyzed can be optionally added. This micronized sandstone comprising the bio-additive TiO.sub.2 is used in the production of plasters, mortars, grouts and/or as additive for paints and/or epoxy enriched with TiO.sub.2. The micronized sandstone bio-additive with TiO.sub.2 can be additionally subjected to two optional embodiments of the invention: treatment with or without the use of a pigment. In order to obtain the final product that can be used in the production of blocks, floors and other products of various sizes, an agglomerating agent combined with TiO.sub.2 is added to the micronized sandstone comprising the bio-additive TiO.sub.2, either in an aqueous solution or as a dry product, optionally including colored oxides.

A composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0.25% to 5%; kaolin present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 17% to 50%; and optionally Ball Clay in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0% to 25%. Although makeable by other processes, in some embodiments, the composition is makeable by mixing component ingredients. Although usable for other purposes, in some embodiments, the composition is used to make ceramic pieces, e.g., via casting, pressing, jiggering or jollying, especially when the slip has solids, chemistry and viscosity suitable for shaping before drying, sintering, and optionally finishing.

A composition comprises at least one form of attapulgite present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0.25% to 5%; kaolin present in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 17% to 50%; and optionally Ball Clay in a solid weight fraction amount ranging from 0% to 25%. Although makeable by other processes, in some embodiments, the composition is makeable by mixing component ingredients. Although usable for other purposes, in some embodiments, the composition is used to make ceramic pieces, e.g., via casting, pressing, jiggering or jollying, especially when the slip has solids, chemistry and viscosity suitable for shaping before drying, sintering, and optionally finishing.

Described herein is a composition for use in a geosynthetic clay liner, the composition comprising particles, at least some of which are discrete particles and each comprise: a compacted swelling clay, the clay having been compacted such that it at least partially surrounds a fluid-loss preventing polymer. Also described herein is a clay liner formed from the composition, a method for producing particles for use in a geosynthetic clay liner, and a method of forming a clay liner.

Disclosed are methods of preparing drilling fluid compositions containing treated calcium bentonite. One such method includes mixing calcium bentonite with an aqueous mixture containing soda ash, followed by adding starch to form the treated bentonite mixture that is used to prepare a drilling fluid composition. Another method includes mixing the calcium bentonite with an aqueous mixture containing soda ash and magnesium oxide, followed by adding starch to form the treated bentonite mixture that is used to prepare a drilling fluid composition.

A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.

The use of a clay including: less than 25% of kaolinite; and at least 20% of muscovite and/or illite; the muscovite and/or illite/kaolinite weight ratio being greater than 1, for the preparation of a pozzolanic material.

Disclosed is a pottery greenware material by which a pottery having both productivity and quality can be produced with a high degree of freedom depending on an intended use thereof. The pottery greenware material includes a first greenware material and a second greenware material; both the first greenware material and the second greenware material including, as chemical species, SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and either one or both of K.sub.2O and Na.sub.2O; and an average particle diameter (D2) of the second greenware material being smaller than an average particle diameter (D1) of the first greenware material.

The present disclosure provides methods for controlling swelling of a clay when in contact with an aqueous medium. The methods may include contacting clay with a content of an ionic liquid sufficient to modify one or more transport properties of water through the clay. In particular, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides clay-based animal litter compositions having controlled flow and clump shape, and a related method. The animal litter can include a clay-based liquid absorbing material and at least one ionic liquid.

A vermiculite core for a vehicle may include vermiculite and pearlstone, an aluminum component for the vehicle may be manufactured using the vermiculite core including the vermiculite and the pearlstone, and a method for manufacturing the vermiculite core for the vehicle may include mixing the vermiculite and the pearlstone, injecting a mixture of the vermiculite and the pearlstone into a mold, and pressing the mixture using a presser.