Hollow spheres produced from natural zeolites
US4448599A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1982 |
| Grant date | May 15, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P40/57
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is described for the formation of hollow glassy generally spherical particles ("microspheres") from natural mineral zeolites. A zeolite (or a mixture of zeolites) is rapidly heated to a temperature above its liquidus temperature to melt its surfaces, vaporize its combined water and cause it to expand to form the microspheres. The microspheres have diameters in the range of 1 to 500 millimeters and densities of about 0.1 to 2.0 g/cm.sup.3. They are useful as fillers and extenders in many materials such as plastics, and, because of their resistance to alkaline attack, are especially useful as fillers in cementitious materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.