US 12,234,362 B2
Reflective particulate compositions including a particulate mixture having improved hardness, methods of making the same, and methods for analyzing particulate mixture strength
Ramanan Pitchumani, Hagerstown, MD (US); William Wells, Hancock, MD (US); and David Earl Weller, Jr., Greencastle, MD (US)
Assigned to U.S. Silica Company, Katy, TX (US)
Filed by U.S. SILICA COMPANY, Katy, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 4, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/112,510.
Prior Publication US 2022/0177707 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
Int. Cl. C09C 1/42 (2006.01); C09C 1/00 (2006.01); E04D 7/00 (2006.01); G01N 3/10 (2006.01)
CPC C09C 1/42 (2013.01) [C09C 1/0081 (2013.01); E04D 7/005 (2013.01); G01N 3/10 (2013.01); C01P 2006/90 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0019 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0042 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0087 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A reflective granular composition comprising:
a reflective pigment material comprising a majority of kaolin clay; and
a hardening additive comprising a sodium salt or another salt,
wherein the sodium salt or the another salt comprises from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the overall reflective granular composition,
wherein the kaolin clay comprises at least about 80% by weight of the overall reflective granular composition.