Molded objects

Disclosed herein is a composition prepared by forming a mixture comprising, on the basis of parts by weight per hundred of elastomer or rubber, phr: (a) 100 phr of a mixture comprising vulcanizable elastomers, styrene-butadiene copolymers and butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers and at least one thermoplastic polymer or thermoplastic elastomer comprising polyvinyl chloride; (b) from about 150 phr to about 500 phr of at least one mineral filler; (c) from about 0.1 phr to about 10 phr of at least one pigment or colorant; (d) at least one vulcanizing agent in sufficient quantity to substantially fully vulcanize the vulcanizable elastomer; and (e) from about 0.01 to about up to about 10 phr of at least one odor masking agent; wherein upon vulcanization the composition has the look and feel of natural clay. The mineral filler includes a significant amount of clay, the colorant includes red iron oxide and the odor masking agent, when used, is an extract of vanilla. The composition can be molded and, after the addition of other suitable ingredients, can be vulcanized, thereby producing an object having the look and feel of natural clay, but having improved low temperature and mechanical stability. Molded objects made from the composition such as plant pots and saucers, wine bottle coolers, trivets, and other objects that typically are made from natural terra cotta or clay, have aesthetically pleasing characteristics as well as improved properties.