What Do Minerals Do as Fillers?

Fillers play a critical role in many industries. They both reduce costs and provide benefits to the product. Let's examine some common fillers, their benefits and usage areas:

1. Aluminium Hydroxide (ATH)

  • It is white in colour and has flame retardant properties.
  • It makes plastics, rubber and composites more durable.
  • It slows down fire and suppresses smoke.
  • It is lightweight and used in paint making.

2. Micronised Kaolin (MDH)

  • It is obtained from finely ground kaolin.
  • It gives whiteness and smoothness to paper.
  • Provides whiteness and no brush marks in paints.
  • It gives durability and shape stability to plastics and rubbers.

3. Calcium Carbonate

  • It is obtained from limestone and marble.
  • It is cheap and resistant to chemicals.
  • It is white in colour and disperses well.
  • It adjusts thermal conductivity and insulation properties.

4. Talc

  • It is a soft and slippery mineral.
  • It makes plastics processable.
  • Provides homogeneous distribution of colours in paints.
  • Protects rubbers against abrasion.
  • It gives smoothness and print quality to paper.
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