Bentonite

Name:
Bentonite
Detailed information:
A colloidal clay (aluminum silicate) composed chiefly of montmorillonite. There are two varieties: (1) sodium bentonite (Wyoming or western), which has high swelling capacity in water; and (2) calcium bentonite (southern), with negligible swelling capacity.

Properties:

(Wyoming) Light to cream-colored impalpable powder; forms colloidal suspension in water, with strongly thixotropic properties.

Occurrence:

Wyoming, Mississippi, Texas, Canada, Italy, the former U.S.S.R..

Use:

Oil-well drilling fluids; cement slurries for oil-well casings; bonding agent in foundry sands and pelletizing of iron ores; sealant for canal walls; thickener in lubricating greases and fireproofing compositions; cosmetics; decolorizing agent; filler in ceramics, refractories, paper coatings; asphalt modifier; polishes and abrasives; food additive; catalyst support.

See Clay, “Flo-Fre” [Oil-Dri].