Low structure pyrogenic hydrophilic and hydrophobic metallic oxides, production and use

A method of producing a low structure pyrogenic metal oxide filler, said method consisting essentially of simultaneously reducing particle size/aggregate size and increasing bulk density by subjecting pyrogenically produced metal oxide agglomerates and aggregates selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, and titanium oxide to a dry milling process whereby the pyrogenically produced metal oxide is contacted in a agitating zone with an energy specific force created by the following conditions:

• agitating media bed consisting of a member selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, chrome steel, carbon steel, ceramic, aluminum oxide, tungsten carbide, zirconium carbide, zirconium oxide, and zirconium silicate whereby the metallic oxide agglomerates and aggregates are free to move, collide and impinge on each other, wherein the media is kept in constant agitation by a rotating shaft with protruding extensions of a length or by a rolling drum, the media diameter being 0.04 to one inch in diameter and being of circular, spherical or cylindrical shape, the shaft speed being between 100 and 1500 rpm or the roller drum speed being between 30 to 120 rpm, wherein the media fills the volume of the agitating zone to the extent of ¼ to ¾ of its total volume and wherein the dwell time in the zone is controlled by the amount of time the metallic oxide remains in the media bed or by the number of passes through the media bed, evaluating the resulting product until a steady state condition is reached and wherein the lowering of the structure of the pyrogenic metallic oxide is a function of the time of compression, the amount of compressive force exerted on the aggregate/agglomerate particles and the conditions of compression.