Bentonite
Bentonite is an aluminum phyllosilicate clay, composed of montmorillonite with the chemical formula(Ca,Na)0,3(Al,Mg)2Si4O10(OH)2 ·n H2O. .A very soft plastic clay, bentonite predominantly consists of montmorillonite, a fine particle sized hydrous aluminium silicate, a member of the smectite group. Bentonite beds are white, pale, blue or green in fresh exposures, turning to a cream colour and then yellow, red, or brown as the exposure is weathered further. As a swelling clay, bentonite has the ability to absorb large quantities of water, which increases its volume by up to a factor of eight. This gives the clay a very large total surface area, making bentonite a valuable item.
Physical Properties
- Strong colloidal properties
- Swells in contact with water
- Water absorption
- High viscosity
- High plasticity
- Thixotropy
Our Products
HTMC is a pioneer when it comes to Bentonite and has several manufacturing locations in India, attributed to its bentonite production for various industries according to their utility.
Different Bentonites and their Benefits
Sodium Bentonite
Sodium bentonite expands when wet, absorbing as much as several times its dry mass in water. Because of its excellent colloidal properties, it is often used in drilling mud for oil and gas wells and boreholes for geotechnical and environmental investigations.
Calcium Bentonite
Calcium bentonite is a useful adsorbent of ions in solution, as well as fats and oils. It is the main active ingredient of fuller’s earth, probably one of the earliest industrial cleaning agents.
Potassium bentonite
Also known as potash bentonite or K-bentonite, potassium bentonite is a potassium-rich ‘’Illite’’ clay formed from alteration of smectic clay. ‘’Illite Clay’’ is a high-charge TOT clay mineral, in which sheets are bound relatively strongly by more numerous potassium ions, and so it is not a swelling clay and has few industrial uses.
Industrial Applications
INDUSTRY
APPLICATION
GRADE
Foundry
Bentonite, manufactured by HTMC, 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, compact ability, and thermal stability for the production of high-quality castings.
Drilling
Owing to its rheological properties and thixotropy of aqueous suspensions, Bentonite, custom-engineered by HTMC is used as a mud constituent for oil and water well drilling. Its functions are utilized mainly to stabilise the borehole, seal the borehole walls, and remove drill cuttings.
Construction
Bentonite slurries, prepared by HTMC are used in the construction of special foundations for digging diaphragm walls and bored piles. In geotechnical engineering, Bentonite, designed by HTMC is used for self-hardening mixtures employed to build cut off walls, grouting mortars, and grouting. Finally, bentonite waterproofing properties are best exploited in environmental engineering, to seal off soil infiltrations, and to line the base of landfills.
Feedstuff
Bentonite developed by HTMC, has established its use as an animal feed supplement. Under European regulations, it is classified as a food additive, with E number E558. Bentonite developed by HTMC is used as a pelletizing aid in the production of animal feed pellets. Due to its high adsorption power, it is particularly effective against mycotoxins.
Cat litter
Owing to its swelling, and anti-odour properties, as well as the advantage of absorbing refuse by forming clumps, Bentonite is custom created to find application for cat litter.
Water treatment
Due to its ion exchange, flocculation, and sedimentation properties, bentonite manufactured by HTMC is used in environmental protection for water clarification, and as an aid to polyelectrolytes and inorganic flocculants.
Agriculture
Bentonite, custom curated by HTMC is used as an ion exchange for soil improvement and conditioning. It also finds an application for gardening in soil compounds and mixtures to absorb humidity, and as a carrier for various herbicides and pesticides.
Ceramics
Bentonite, engineered at HTMC is used to enhance ceramic paste plasticity and as an anti-settling agent in ceramic enamels.
Paper
Bentonite grinded at HTMC is used to improve the efficiency of conversion of pulp into paper, as well as for paper quality improvement by preventing rubber particle agglomeration. Owing to its absorbing property, it offers useful de-inking properties for paper recycling
Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and spa mud therapy
Bentonite manufactured at HTMC is used as a filler in pharmaceuticals. For its absorption/adsorption functions it also finds its integral application in creams, face-powders, and spa mud preparations.
Detergent additive
Bentonite designed by HTMC is widely used in detergents to soften the fabrics. Liquid cleansers/soaps rely on the inclusion of bentonite from HTMC as a suspension agent and viscosity enhancer.
Paints and varnishes
HTMC Manufactured Bentonite functions as a thickening and/or suspension agent.