COMPOSITIONS AS PAINT ADDITIVES AND THEIR USES

1 . A particulate composition comprising the following components, expressed in weight % of the composition,

55%≦SiO 2 ; and

MgO≦30%,

characterized by a bimodal particle size distribution exhibiting, when measured by laser diffraction, a first peak from about 1 μm to about 10 μm, and a second peak from about 15 μm to about 150 μm.

2 . The particulate composition of claim 1 , wherein the particulate composition is a paint additive and a paint comprising the particulate composition exhibits:

(a) improved scrub resistance;

(b) improved cracking resistance;

(c) improved anti-corrosion properties;

(d) enhanced durability;

(e) better matting effect on the film coating;

(f) lower resin requirements; or

(g) lower titanium dioxide requirements,

when compared to the paint properties in absence of said particulate composition.

3 . The particulate composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises the following components, expressed in weight % of the composition,

60%≦SiO 2 ≦65%;

2%≦Al 2 O 3 ≦15%; and

10%≦MgO≦30%.

4 . The particulate composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises the following components, expressed in weight % of the composition,

61%≦SiO 2 ≦63%;

3%≦Al 2 O 3 ≦9%; and

20%≦MgO≦30%.

5 . A product comprising the particulate composition of claim 1 .

6 . The product of claim 5 , wherein the product is a paint product.

7 . The product of claim 5 , wherein the product is an ink composition.

8 . The product of claim 6 , wherein the product comprises from 1% to 10% by weight of the particulate composition.

9 . The product of claim 6 , wherein the product comprises from 5% to 6% by weight of the particulate composition.

10 . A method for improving a paint product, the method comprising adding a particulate composition according to claim 1 to the paint product.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the paint product displays one or more of the following:

(a) improved scrub resistance;

(b) improved cracking resistance;

(c) improved anti-corrosion properties;

(d) enhanced durability;

(e) better matting effect on the film coating;

(f) lower resin requirements, and

(g) lower titanium dioxide requirements,

compared to the same paint product in absence of said particulate composition.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the improved paint product has improved whiteness, dry opacity, or barrier properties:

(f)

compared to the same paint product in absence of said particulate composition.

13 . (canceled)

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the improved paint product displays one or more of the following:

(g) improved scrub resistance;

(h) improved cracking resistance;

(i) improved anti-corrosion properties;

(j) enhanced durability;

(k) better matting effect on the film coating; and

(l) lower resin requirements, compared to the same paint product in absence of said particulate composition,

15 . The product of claim 5 , wherein the product is a resin composition.