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Bentonite
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BENTONITE
Bentonite formed through devitrification (weathering) of vitreous volcanic ash. Bentonite is the commercial name of a whole range of natural clays with a high water absorption capacity causing it to expand and swell. Bentonite predominantly consists of montmorillonite: a clay mineral belonging to a class of phyllosilicates called smectites.
Bentonite apparent density, when quarried and piled under natural moisture conditions, ranges from 1.5 to 1.8 g/cm3. Its density when dry varies depending on the quality, and may range from 2.2 to 2.8 g/cm3. The apparent density of milled bentonite products varies depending on mill fineness, ranging from 0.7 to 0.9 g/cm3.
Bentonite is a Hydrated Aluminium Silicate and Mineralogical name of Bentonite is Montmorillonite
TChemical composition of Bentonite is (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2(Si4O10)(OH)2 · nH2O.
Drilling Grade Bentonite
Owing to its rheological properties and thixotropy of aqueous suspensions.
bentonite is used as a mud constituent for oil and water well drilling.
Its functions are mainly to stabilise the borehole, seal the borehole walls, and remove drill cuttings.
Bentonite muds are thus employed for oil and water well drilling, tunnel, and microtunnel drilling.
| Grade | Moisture | Filter Volume | Viscosity | YP / Ratio | Wet Residue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| API Sec 11 (OCMA) | 12–14% | <16 ml | >30 cps | <6 | <2.5% |
| API Sec 9 | 12–14% | <15 ml | >30 cps | 3 | <4.0% |
| Product | Moisture | Filter Volume | Viscosity | Wet Residue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Yield | 12–14% | <20 ml | >40 cps | <4.0% |
Packing & Supply
- Loose Supply: Drilling grade lumps are supplied in bulk quantities for large-volume shipments.
- Powder Packing: Available in 25 kg, 50 kg HDPE bags and 1000 kg Jumbo Bags.
Foundry Grade
Bentonite is used as a bonding material in the preparation of moulding sand for the production of cast iron, steel, and non-ferrous casting.
The unique properties of bentonite yield green sand moulds with good flowability, compactability, and thermal stability for the production of high quality castings.
Its functions are mainly to stabilise the borehole, seal the borehole walls, and remove drill cuttings.
| Grade | Moisture | Swelling | GCS | Gel Index | MBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Swell 35 | 12–14% | >35 cc | 8–10 psi | >95% | >400 |
| Free Swell 30 | 12–14% | >30 cc | 7–9 psi | >80% | >400 |
| Free Swell 25 | 12–14% | >25 cc | 6–8 psi | >70% | >380 |
Packing & Supply
- Loose Supply: Foundry grade lumps are supplied in bulk quantities for large-volume shipments.
- Powder Packing: Available in 25 kg, 50 kg HDPE Bags, and 1000 kg Jumbo Bags.
Civil Engineering & Piling Grade
Bentonite slurries are used in the construction of special foundations for digging, diaphragm walls and bored piles.
In geothecnical engineering, bentonite is used for self-hardening mixtures employed to build cut off walls, grouting mortars, and grouting.
bentonite waterproofing properties are best exploited in environmental engineering, to seal off soil infiltrations, and line the base of landfills.
| Grade | Moisture | Liquid Volume | Marsh Viscosity | Fineness | Mud Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bent 45 | 12–14% | >600% | >45 cps | >85% | 1.02 |
| Bent 40 | 12–14% | >600% | >40 cps | >85% | 1.02 |
| Bent 38 | 12–14% | >550% | >38 cps | >85% | 1.02 |
Packing & Supply
- Loose Supply: Civil Engineering & Piling Grade lumps are supplied in bulk quantities for large-volume shipments.
- Powder Packing: Available in 25 kg, 50 kg HDPE Bags, and 1000 kg Jumbo Bags.
Iron Ore Pelletizing (IOP) Grade
Due to its water absorption capacity and colloidal property, bentonite is used as a binding additive to convert iron ore fines into pallets.
| Grade | Moisture | Swelling | PWA | MBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IOP 600 | < 14% | > 30 cc | > 600 | > 400 |
| IOP 550 | < 14% | > 25 cc | > 550 | > 380 |
Packing & Supply
- Loose Supply: IOP Grade Bentonite lumps are supplied in bulk quantities for large-volume shipments.
- Powder Packing: Available in 25 kg, 50 kg HDPE Bags, and 1000 kg Jumbo Bags.
Animal Feedstuff & Cat Litter
Bentonite is used as an animal feed supplement.
Bentonite is used as a pelletizing aid in the production of animal feed pellets.
Due to its high adsorption power, it is particularly effective agains micotoxins.
Owing to its swelling property, bentonite is used for cat litter, due to its advantage of absorbing refuse by forming clumps.
- ✔ Animal Feed Supplement
- ✔ Pelletizing Aid for Animal Feed
- ✔ Mycotoxin Binder
- ✔ Premium Clumping Cat Litter
- ✔ Odor & Moisture Absorption
Packing & Supply
- Loose Supply: Available in bulk quantities for large-volume shipments.
- Powder Packing: Available in 25 kg, 50 kg HDPE Bags, and 1000 kg Jumbo Bags.
Paper Grade Bentonite
Bentonite is used to improve the efficiency of conversion of pulp into paper, as well as for paper quality improvement by preventing rubber particle agglomeration.
Due to its absorbing property, bentonite also offers useful de-inking properties for paper recycling.
| Grade | Mesh | Moisture | Swelling | Brookfield Viscosity | Wet Residue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper | 325 | < 14% | > 30 cc | < 120 cps | 0.10% |
Packing & Supply
- Powder Packing: Available in 25 kg, 50 kg HDPE Bags, and 1000 kg Jumbo Bags.
Other Applications
In winemaking, bentonite is used to enhance clarification and protein stabilization.
Bentonite is used as a filler in pharmaceuticals, and for its absorption/adsorption functions.
It is also employed in creams, face-powders, and spa mud preparations.
Bentonite is used in detergents to soften the fabrics. Liquid cleansers/soaps rely on the inclusion of bentonite as a suspension agent and viscosity enhancer.
Bentonite functions as a thickening and/or suspension agent.
- ✔ Wine Clarification & Protein Stabilization
- ✔ Pharmaceutical Fillers & Adsorbents
- ✔ Cosmetic Creams & Face Powders
- ✔ Spa & Therapeutic Mud Preparations
- ✔ Detergents & Fabric Softeners
- ✔ Liquid Soaps & Cleaners
- ✔ Thickening & Suspension Agent
Packing
- Powder Packing: Available in 25 kg, 50 kg HDPE Bags, and 1000 kg Jumbo Bags.