Feldspar
South Carolina air-floated kaolin is being marketed today as a reinforcing agent for elastomerics, for both natural and most synthetic rubbers. K-T Clay is mining one of the few rubber clay deposits of commercial quality and extent in the world. They are found in a narrow 50-80 kilometer wide belt stretching from near Columbia, South Carolina to Macon, Georgia. These special new Kaolins are processed at our Langley, SC plant.
There are two general classifications of kaolin clays. These clays are designated as Hard Kaolin and Soft Kaolin, based on their effects of imparted stiffness on the uncured rubber compound.
Hard Kaolin Clays :
These clays have lower median particle size distribution and higher surface area than Soft Clays. Hard clay products give higher modulus, tensile strength, tear resistance, abrasion resistance, and green strength while providing cured stiffness to elastomeric compounds. Industrial applications include hard rubber compounds, plastics, adhesives, and a variety of protective coatings.
Soft Kaolin Clays :
These clays have higher median particle size distribution and lower surface area than the Hard Clays. Soft kaolin products also provide lower modulus build at equal loading. Soft clays yield rubber compounds that exhibit greater flexibility and higher elongation making them specifically suited for non-dynamic applications, or where lower vulcanizate physical properties are required. The lower uncured viscosity permits significantly higher loadings of filler, which result in additional cost savings.
Both hard and soft clay types are commonly used where economical processing and compound reinforcement is required.
Surface Modified Clays :
A special class of kaolin performance products is also available from K-T Clay. These are chemically treated, surfaced-modified clays. Mercapto (sulfur) and amino (nitrogen) organofunctional silane (silicon) treatments impart improved performance to hard kaolin products. During the chemical and modification process, hydrolyzed silane compounds are reacted onto the kaolin surface forming very strong covalent bonds. The coupling functional groups can then crosslink with the given elastomeric system.
The coupling (crosslinking) agents act as molecular bridges between the polymer molecules and mineral particles and have the unique ability to substantially improve the bond strength between organic polymers and kaolin particles. Since the silane coupling agent provides a more stable means to chemically bond the clay particles to the rubber, improvements in modulus, higher tensile strength, and increased tear resistance are obtained. Heat build-up, compression set, and die swell are also reduced.
The selection of a particular kaolin filler for a rubber compound depends on the processing characteristics and physical properties desired, the cost, and the final performance of the finished product. For example, many fillers may reduce the cost and give good tensile properties, but the performance given by the vulcanizate may not match those of a higher cost, quality-controlled filler. The compounder has to start with the best possible raw materials and then adjust the compound to meet the product specifications and cost.
The introduction of these forms of South Carolina air-floated kaolin gives the polymer and elastomeric producer the opportunity to significantly improve the performance characteristics of the finished products. Through careful selection and experimentation, kaolins can be used to reinforce and enhance rubber and polymeric properties in ways that few mineral fillers can match.
Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company provides the industry with a wide range of clay products that meet the manufacturers' requirements. This market is served from our Langley, SC and Sandersville, GA facilities. We are committed to providing high quality clay products and services to the rubber industry.
Product Range:
Hard Kaolin Clays: LGB-1, Suprex, and Barden R.
Soft Kaolin Clays: Paragon and Alumex.
Surface Modified Clays: Mercapto Silane Functional Clays: Mercap 100 and Mercap 200; Amino Silane Functional Clays: Amlok 321 ; and Calcium Stearate Treated Clays: Starfil PH
Kaolin Filler Extenders
These products are naturally occurring Kaolins that are processed by air-floatation. Air-floated clays are the most widely used and the least expensive functional fillers employed in the elastomeric industry. Kaolins are very effective filler/extenders in a variety of industrial applications including soft and hard rubber compounds, plastics, adhesives, protective coatings, traffic paints, joint compounds, agricultural fillers and other applications. Two general types of clay comprise this group. Based on their effects on the uncured compound stiffness imparted, these clays are designated as hard and soft clays. Both clays are routinely used where economical processing and compound reinforcement are needed. All products are available in bulk and fifty pound kraft or poly bags.
|
Color |
GE Brightness |
S.S.A. m2/g |
% Moisture
Content |
+ 325 Mesh
Res. (%) |
|
LGB-1 |
White |
70-80 |
22-26 |
1.0 max |
0.10 max |
| SUPREX |
White |
70-80 |
22-26 |
1.0 max |
0.25 max |
|
BARDEN R |
White |
70-80 |
22-26 |
1.0 max |
0.40 max |
| BARDEN
AG-1 |
White |
70-80 |
22-26 |
1.0 max |
1.0 max |
|
Soft Clay - Basic Properties
|
Color |
GE Brightness |
S.S.A. m2/g |
% Moisture
Content |
+ 325 Mesh
Res. (%) |
|
PARAGON |
White |
70-80 |
12-15 |
1.0 max |
0.30 |
|
ALUMEX |
70-80 |
12-15 |
1.0 max |
0.75 |
Chemically Modified Clay
|
Color |
GE Brightness |
S.S.A. m2/g |
% Moisture
Content |
+ 325 Mesh
Res. (%) |
|
MERCAP
100 |
White |
70-80 |
22-26 |
1.0 max |
0.25 |
| MERCAP
200 |
White |
70-80 |
22-26 |
1.0 max |
0.25 |
|
AMLOK
321 |
White |
70-80 |
22-26 |
1.0 max |
0.25 |
| STARFIL
PH |
White |
70-80 |
12-15 |
1.0 max |
0.30 |
MINSPAR Filler Extenders
MINSPAR is a naturally occurring sodium aluminum silicate filler/extender. This functional filler is widely used in water-based and solvent-based coatings for exterior and interior applications.
MINSPAR also offers unique benefits in plastics, rubber, adhesives and sealants. Most grades are available in bulk, supersacks and fifty pound bags. Please contact us for packaging details and samples.
Basic Properties
|
S.S.A. m2/g |
% < 5 mic. |
Density (lb/ft2)
Loose |
G.E. Brightness |
Hegman Grind |
|
MINSPAR 3 |
0.85 |
19 |
44 |
89.6 |
0-1 |
|
MINSPAR 4 |
1.1 |
30 |
40 |
91.4 |
4 |
|
MINSPAR 7 |
1.55 |
55 |
38 |
92.2 |
6 |
|
MINSPAR 10 |
3.95 |
75 |
35 |
93.5 |
6.5 |
