Southern Clay Products, Inc.

Thomas C Farrow

David Hugh Durham

William R Menking

Chris A Rasmussen

Paul W Carroll

An organoclay composition for gelling unsaturated polyester resin/monomer systems comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with an alkyl quaternary ammonium compound. The mineral clay mixture comprises two components: mineral clay (a) comprising greater than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and mineral clay (b) comprising less than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a smectite.

Organoclay compositions for gelling unsaturated polyester resin systems

An organoclay composition for gelling unsaturated polyester resin/monomer systems comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with an alkyl quaternary ammonium compound. The mineral clay mixture comprises two components; mineral clay (a) comprising greater than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and mineral clay (b) comprising less than 50 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a smectite.

An organoclay composition comprising a mineral clay mixture which has been treated with an alkyl quaternary ammonium salt said mixture comprising: mineral clay (a) comprising 50 to 95 wt. %, based on the weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and mineral clay (b) comprising the balance by weight of the mineral clay mixture, of a smectite.

Organoclay compositions and method of preparation

An oil base environmentally benign drilling fluid composition having a stable high viscosity and high gel strength at use temperatures of up to at least 450.degree. F. The drilling fluid includes a low toxicity biodegradable oil vehicle, and as a viscosifying agent an organoclay which is the reaction product of a mineral clay mixture and an alkyl quaternary ammonium salt. The mineral clay mixture comprises at least 50% by weight of a mineral clay selected from the group consisting of sepiolite, palygorskite and mixtures of sepiolite and palygorskite; and substantially the balance of the mixture is a smectite. Conventional additives such as emulsifiers and fillers may also be present in the drilling fluid.

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Gonzales, TX, United States of America

Thomas C Farrow