What is Bentonite Clay?
Bentonite is an incredibly absorbent and swelling clay that consists mostly of montmorillonite. It is formed with water’s constant contact with rocks and volcanic ashes over thousands of years. Due to its composition, bentonite presents a specific water absorption property that makes it versatile with a wide range of applications at home and in several different industries.
Bentonite Clay is an effective pond sealant, an anti-odor agent for cat litter, a cleansing agent in wastewater treatment, a clumping agent for metal casting green sand and an environmentally friendly drilling mud additive.
Pond Liner
Bentonite absorbs water, swelling up to 20 times its original size and creating a gel that easily takes form and molds to the surface of the ground. This makes it nature’s sealant. Soil with a high percentage of natural clay is very unlikely to leak water. Sodium bentonite is an efficient sealant.
Most state laws in the United States require wastewater lagoons and treatment plants to be covered with a layer of sodium bentonite pond sealer to prevent seepage of toxic materials underground. It is a 100% natural product, with no chemical additions. Being used to avoid seepage of toxins to the ground is a massive statement of its sealant powers.
Drilling Mud
Bentonite is also a component often found in the drilling mud used during the excavation of oil wells and tunnels. Drilling mud plays an important role during excavation, helping control the pressure of the well, displacing the cut bits to prevent the formation of mud cakes, helping reduce the heat caused by friction during the drilling process, and it also lubricates the drill.
Cat Litter
Bentonite has a “clumping” property. This ability to “clump” is what makes it the main ingredient in cat litter. As an addition, it helps control odor, which is great when it comes to kittens and their indoor needs. While cat litter contains other ingredients and some chemicals are added to it, they are mostly added for comfort and are harmless to your beloved pet. This “clumping” property is also useful in a foundry, where sodium bentonite is the product responsible for holding together green sand molds.
Where to buy
Level 7 Chemical is a reliable supplier of quality Bentonite Clay and has a wide variety of quantities available.
Other names for Bentonite include Montmorillonite, Silicate of Alumina, Smectite Clay, Sodium Activated Bentonite.
Appearance: White to Tan Fine Powder
CAS: 1302-78-9
Level 7 Chemical supplies all kinds of useful chemicals and ingredients like Bentonite clay and including Magnesium Chloride for safe and effective ICE MELT and Removal.
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