Patent GB-990280-A (GB)
Title: A process for the preparation of a water-resistant clay thickening agent
IPC: B01J19/06
Filed: 1962-02-12
Abstract: The invention comprises a process for preparing a water-resistant clay thickening agent by mixing a clay hydrosol, containing 1 to 5% wt. degangued clay and having a base exchange capacity of 60 to 100 milliequivalents of exchangeable base per 100 grams of clay, with 35 to 125% wt., based on clay, of a hydrophobic surface-active agent, and 500 to 5000% wt., based on clay, of a water-immiscible inert organic liquid having a boiling point between 65 DEG  and 235 DEG C., removing the aqueous phase, and volatilizing the organic liquid and associated water by heating. The surfactant may be mixed with 5 to 10% wt., based on clay, of a mineral acid, for example phosphoric acid. Clays specified are montmorillonites, for example sodium, potassium and lithium bentonites, Wyoming bentonite, magnesium bentonite (hectorite) and saponite.  Surfactants specified are dodecyl and octodecyl ammonium chlorides and bromides, long-chain fatty amines, the amino-amides and imidazolenes formed by reaction of polyalkylene polyamines and saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, for example tall oil acid and coconut oil acid, and aminoplast and phenoplast resins, for example aniline-formaldehyde resins and phenol-formaldehyde resins.  Inert organic liquids specified are hydrocarbons, for example naphtha and kerosene, alcohols, ketones, esters and ethers. The products may be used in lubricant or grease manufacture (see Division C5).ALSO:Greases are obtained by thickening synthetic lubricants, inter alia, silicone fluids, polyphenyl ethers, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene glycols, and ethers and esters of the latter, with clay particles waterproofed by coating with an hydropholic surfactant, e.g. dodecyl and octodecyl ammonium halides, long chain fatty amines, amino amides formed between polyalkylene polyamines and saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, and aminoplast or phenoplast resins, for example aniline-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins.ALSO:Lubricating oil compositions containing water-proofed clay particles are prepared by mixing a clay hydrosol, containing 1 to 5% wt. degangued clay and having a base exchange capacity of 60 to 100 milliequivalents of exchangeable base per 100 grams of clay, with 35 to 125% wt., based on clay, of a hydrophobic surfactant, and 500 to 5000% wt., based on clay, of a water-immiscible inert organic liquid having a boiling point between 65 and 235 DEG  C., removing the aqueous phase, adding a lubricating oil, for example in 50 to 200% wt., based on clay, and volatilizing the organic liquid and associated water by heating.  Lubricants specified are mineral and synthetic oils, for example aliphatic esters of aliphatic dibasic acids, esters of pentaerythritol and dimers thereof, silicone fluids, polyphenyl ethers, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkylene glycols or ethers or esters thereof, and alkyl phosphates. Clays specified are montmorillonites, for example sodium, potassium and lithium bentonites, Wyoming bentonite, magnesium bentonite (hectorite) and saponite.  Surfactants specified are dodecyl and octadecyl ammonium chlorides and bromides, long-chain fatty amines, the amino-acids and imidazolines formed by reaction of polyalkylene polyamines and saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, for example tall oil and coconut oil acids, and aminoplast and phenoplast resins, for example aniline-formaldehyde resins and phenol-formaldehyde resins. The surfactant may be mixed with 5 to 10% wt., based on clay, of a mineral acid, for example phosphoric acid. Inert organic liquids specified are hydrocarbons, for example naphtha and kerosene, alcohols, ethers, ketones and esters.  The products may be thickened to form greases.