BENTONITE
Product No. P02039
Bentonite is a clay, generated frequently from the alteration of volcanic ash, consisting predominantly of smectite minerals - usually montmorillonite (other smectite group minerals include hectorite, saponite, beidelite and nontronite). Smectites are clay minerals, i.e. they consist of individual crystallites the majority of which are <2µm in dimension. Smectite crystallites themselves are three-layer clay minerals, consisting of two tetrahedral layers and one octahedral layer.
Depending on the nature of their genesis, bentonites contain a variety of accessory minerals in addition to montmorillonite, which may include quartz, feldspar, calcite and gypsum. The presence of these minerals can impact the industrial value, reducing or increasing it depending on the application. Bentonite has strong colloidal properties, and its volume increases several times when coming into contact with water, creating a gelatinous and viscous fluid. The special properties of bentonite (hydration, swelling, water absorption and viscosity) make it a valuable material for a wide range of uses and applications.
Bentonite deposits are normally obtained by quarrying, and extracted bentonite is distinctly solid, even with a moisture content of approximately 30%. The material is initially crushed and, if necessary, activated with the addition of soda ash (Na2CO3). It is subsequently dried (air and/or forced drying) to reach a moisture content of approximately 15%. According to the final application, bentonite is either sieved for a granular form or milled into powder and super fine powder form. For special applications, it is purified, treated with acids to produce acid-activated bentonite, or treated with organics to produce organoclays.
In pharmaceuticals, bentonite is used as a filler, and due to its absorption/adsorption functions, it helps form a paste consistency. Such applications include protective creams, wet compresses, and treatments for eczema. It is also often used in products such as mud masks, baby powder, and face powders and creams. In medicine, bentonite is used as an antidote in heavy metal poisoning.
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