Bentonite
Bentonite is a clay primarily composed of smectite minerals, typically formed through the decomposition of volcanic ash or tuff, and occasionally from other igneous or sedimentary rocks. This clay is highly plastic and exhibits significant shrinkage or swelling in response to the removal or addition of water.
Types of Bentonite
- High swelling (sodium) bentonite
- Low swelling (calcium) bentonite
- Moderate swelling (intermediate sodium-calcium) bentonite
Among these, sodium bentonite is the most valuable due to its superior swelling capacity. Its key uses include bonding clay in foundries, drilling mud for oil and gas exploration, animal feed pellets, and various civil engineering applications.
Specifications
Physical Properties
- Moisture Content
- Swelling Index
- Plasticity Index
- Particle Size
- Density
Chemical Composition
- Montmorillonite Content
- Sodium (Na2O)
- Calcium (CaO)
- Silica (SiO2)
- Alumina (Al2O3)
- Iron Oxide (Fe2O3)
- Magnesium Oxide (MgO)
