Covia

The company produces a wide range of specialized silica sand, feldspar, nepheline syenite, calcium carbonate, clay and kaolin products and has unique expertise in areas such as micronization, resin development, and coating and blending. Covia’s odor-neutralizing, dust suppressant, and low-emission technologies help to support your company’s Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) goals.

FOR COATINGS APPLICATION

MINEX® fillers are produced from Nepheline syenite, a naturally occurring sodium-potassium-aluminum silicate without reportable free crystalline silica. MINEX micronized functional fillers and extenders are proven performance enhancers in a broad range of paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and inks. Multiple grades are available to provide optimal performance in a variety of applications.

The selection of the most suitable MINEX grade is application dependent: coarser grades offer cost effective gloss and sheen control and can add texture; finer MINEX grades are preferred for higher gloss systems and are also the preferred choice for powder coatings and clear systems.

IMSIL® Microcrystalline silica fillers are produced from an inert, naturally occurring alpha quartz with a unique grape-like morphology. Easily wetted and dispersed in either solvent or water-based systems, IMSIL is selected for its excellent tint retention, durability over prolonged exposure, and resistance to dirt and weathering.

Interior architectural paints formulated with IMSIL will exhibit strengthened film integrity, increased stain resistance, more uniform sheen control, and excellent “touch-up” characteristics. Low oil absorption, regardless of particle size, enables formulators to increase loading without adversely affecting critical film properties. Exterior coatings containing IMSIL will better resist weathering, chalking, and under eave frosting. When used in primers, IMSIL also provides the “tooth” necessary for better intercoat adhesion and greater durability in abrasive or corrosive environments. IMSIL has been proven effective in trade sales paints, OEM finishes, marine and industrial coatings, and potting compounds. Finer, micronized grades are useful in formulating higher gloss paints, and systems requiring controlled mineral top size, such as thin coatings and inks. Coarser grades offer texture, traction properties, gloss control, and abrasion resistance in coatings, grouts, sealants, and related building products.

All IMSIL grades are processed with rigid adherence to Covia QIPSM statistical and quality assurance programs. The result is chemical purity and consistently uniform particle size distributions for predictable results and reliable service.

SNOBRITE® white extender pigments are produced from airfloated intermediate kaolins. With a plate like crystal structure and high aspect ratio SNOBRITE provides good reinforcing properties, increased hardness and stiffness, and improved resistance to abrasion and tear. Its tendency to slowly build viscosity makes SNOBRITE a cost effective formulating tool to
enhance performance without adversely affecting production rates. SNOBRITE additions also improve critical working properties, including extrusion, calendering, mold release and handling.

In molded and extruded rubber, SNOBRITE can be loaded to relatively high levels and still produce pliable compounds with good durometer values. Unlike finer particle clays, SNOBRITE will not absorb accelerators or adversely affect the cure rate. This is especially important in precision parts where shrinkage and extrusion properties need to be balanced with
mechanical strength, hardness and resistance to tear. The high loading and low shrinkage characteristics of SNOBRITE are valued in a wide range of synthetic and natural rubber products, including roofing, footwear, wire and cable jacketing, hose, mill rods, commercial and residential roll matting, soft and novelty rubber goods and polyester gunks.

Selectively mined to maximize whiteness and GEB values, SNOBRITE is particularly effective in systems where color is critical. Combined with light scattering properties which mimic more expensive opacifiers, SNOBRITE offers functional performance in a wide range of adhesives, sealants, caulking compounds, and mastics. In alkyd and water based coatings,
the combination of particle shape and particle size distribution operate to improve film properties, including surface finish, permeability, scrub resistance, and hiding power.

All SNOBRITE grades are mined, processed and sized under rigid QIPSM statistical quality assurance programs. The result is consistent physical properties and uniform particle size distributions for reliable performance.

Thanks to its durability, insulation, safety, and low maintenance requirements, Covia’s HIFILL® (calcium carbonate) is ideal for outdoor construction, including decking, vinyl siding, window and door profiles, and fencing.

FOR POLYMERS APPLICATION

Flexible plastic films, like those used in food packaging, are refined using Covia’s HC series MINBLOC®  anti-blocking agents, which offer excellent clarity and in clear polyolefin films. MINBLOC engineered thermal fillers have thermal, optical and other properties that set them apart from other thermal fillers.

Thanks to their durability, insulation, safety, and low maintenance requirements, Covia’s HIFILL® (calcium carbonate) and HIFILL® N (nepheline syenite) are ideal for outdoor construction, including decking, vinyl siding, window and door profiles, and fencing. A unique all-natural sodium–potassium–aluminum silicate mineral HIFILL N additives are available in ultrafine, precisely controlled particle size distributions for optimum performance.

HIFILL N imparts better scratch and mar resistance to polymer compounds (PVC,PP, HDPE etc), and products have superior weathering (UV) characteristics, compared to similar compounds using calcium carbonate and talc.

HIFILL N allows for formulation and processing cost reduction while not adversely impacting the products’ physical properties and durability.

The Smarter and Safer Durable Filler
for Silicone Elastomers

HIFILL N (Nephylene Syenite) is a mineral filler with no detectable crystalline silica that offers high compressive strength, dielectric and heat conductivity similar to crystalline and microcrystalline silica, but with improved industrial hygiene – a safer solution for silicone elastomers.

Formulators have been adopting low crystalline silica HIFILL N due to stricter OSHA regulations on free crystalline silica.

Additional benefits of Nepheline Syenite in Silicone Elastomers:

• HIFILL N produces cleaner colors and is less yellow than silica.
• FDA approved for indirect food contact (up to 50% in the final products)
• HIFILL N is available in a wide range of particle sizes to match the particle size distribution (PSD) of silica with equal and often better physical properties.

For more information, click the links below. OSHA Final Silica Rule Page NIOSH Silica Page

About Covia – With 23 million tons of annual processing capacity, and an extensive network of more than 39 plants and 46 terminals across North America, Covia is the premier provider of industrial materials and proppant solutions serving the industrial and energy industries.
See www.coviacorp.com

In SILICONE RUBBER, HIFILL® N (nepheline syenite) functions as a consistent extending filler that allows very high loading yet has minimal effecg on viscosity and cure rate. It is available in several particle sizes, from 1.5 to 6.8μm, and when compared to crystalline silica fillers, it offers:

• Even higher loading levels
• Increased optical compatibility
• Improved physical properties.

HIFILL N is less abrasive than Ground Crystalline Silica, which translates into longer equipment service life.  HiFill N is also silica deficient, complying with OSHA regulations on crystalline exposure (e.a. 29CFR Part 1910.1053) without the need for extraordinary personal protective equipment.

IMSIL® and SNOBRITE® also can be used in polymer formulation.