Our ProductsBentonite
Bentonite is a natural clay with strong water absorption and swelling properties. It is widely used as a binder, sealant, and thickener in industries such as drilling, foundry, construction, agriculture, and water treatment.
Chemical Structure & Composition
- Chemical Formula: (Na,Ca)₀.₃₃(Al,Mg)₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂·nH₂O
- Bentonite is a type of absorbent clay, primarily composed of montmorillonite, a smectite group mineral.
- It has a layered structure and a high capacity to swell and absorb water.
Type of Bentonite
| Type | Main Exchange Ion | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium Bentonite | Na⁺ | High swelling capacity, forms thick gels, excellent water absorption |
| Calcium Bentonite | Ca²⁺ | Lower swelling, used as adsorbent and binder |
| Potassium Bentonite | K⁺ | Rare, used in specialty applications |
| Organophilic Bentonite | Modified with organic compounds | Used in oil-based systems, such as lubricants, greases, and paints |
Key Properties
- High water absorption – swells multiple times its volume
- Excellent thixotropy – forms gels when hydrated and agitated
- Binding and sealing ability
- Ion exchange capacity
- Fine particle size
- Chemical stability
- Low permeability when compacted
Industrial Applications
| Industry | Application |
|---|---|
| Foundry | Used as a binder for sand molds in metal casting |
| Drilling Fluids | Lubricates drill bits and stabilizes boreholes in oil & gas drilling |
| Construction | In waterproofing slurries, grouts, and geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) |
| Ceramics | Acts as a plasticizer and binder in forming processes |
| Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics | Used as a suspending agent, binder, and skin protectant |
| Food Industry | Used as a clarifying agent for wine, juice, and edible oils |
| Environmental | In landfill liners and wastewater treatment for its adsorption properties |
| Animal Feed | Acts as an anti-caking agent and detoxifier |
| Paints & Coatings | Provides suspension stability and thickening |
| Paper Industry | Acts as a retention aid and drainage enhancer |
Functional Benefits
- Thickening & suspending agent – used in paints, cosmetics, and drilling fluids
- Binding – improves strength in pellets, foundry molds, and feed
- Sealing – low permeability makes it ideal for waterproofing and barriers
- Adsorption – removes impurities, toxins, and heavy metals
- Rheological control – stabilizes suspensions and controls flow
Established in 1970 with a humble factory in Tapah, Perak, starting with the kaolin mineral, our name Kaolin (Malaysia) was born.
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