USES  :                                                      What is bentonite used for;

                                                       

WELL DRILLING: Drilling mud, or drilling gel, is a major component in the well drilling process. Drilling mud is crucial in the extraction of drill cuttings during the drilling process. Bentonite, when mixed with water, forms a fluid (or slurry) that is pumped through the drill stem, and out through the drill bit. The bentonite extracts the drill cuttings from around the bit, which are then floated to the surface. The drilling mud, or gel, also serves to cool and lubricate the drill bit as well as seal the drill hole against seepage and to prevent wall cave-ins.

TACONITE PELLETIZING: Taconite, a low grade iron ore, has been developed as an economic source for iron. During processing, the taconite is ground into a very fine powder. The ground taconite is then mixed with small amounts of bentonite which serves as a binder to the taconite. This mixture is processed into balls or pellets. The process is finished when these pellets are sintered in rotary kilns that give the pellets a hard surface. The taconite pellets are easy to handle at this point and can be loaded into various containers for shipment to steel mills.

METAL CASTING: Bentonite is very popular in the metal casting industry, where it is used as a bonding material for molding processes. When Bentonite is mixed with certain types of molding sands, a bond is formed that can withstand very high temperatures. Bentonite serves as an economical bonding material in the molding processes associated with the metal casting industry. Bentonite, when mixed with foundry molding sands, forms a pliable bond with the sand granules. Impressions are formed into the face of the bentonite/sand mixtures. Molten metal is pored into the impressions at temperatures exceeding 2,800 F. The unique bonding characteristics of bentonite insures the durability of the mold during these high temperatures. Once the process is complete, the bentonite/sand mold can then be broken away from the casting face and reused.

CAT LITTER: One of the most popular uses of  Bentonite is for cat litter.
The mineral's ability to absorb many times its volume in water and to control odors provides an excellent material for cat litter. Wet Bentonite forms a cluster that can be easily removed, allowing the unused Bentonite to be kept for later usage. In recent years,  bentonite has become a major component in the manufacturing of cat litter. Because of the unique water absorption, swelling, and odor controlling characteristics of bentonite, it is ideal for use in "clumping" types of cat litters.Clumping cat litter has become widely accepted as an economical alternative to conventional non-clumping type cat litters. Because bentonite forms clumps when wet, the clumps can easily be removed and disposed of. The remainder of the unused material stays intact and can continue to be used. clumping cat box litters will last longer with less frequency of changing.

ANIMAL/POUTRY FEEDS: For many years bentonite has been used as a binder in the feed pelletizing industry. Small amounts of bentonite can be added to feed products to insure tougher, more durable pellets. By absorbing excess moisture and oils, bentonite aids in the free movement of pellets, preventing lumping and caking.

Research has been conducted which indicates that bentonite has additional benefits for both animals and poultry. The bentonite used in the feed slows the digestive system and enables the animal or fowl to better utilize the feed nutrients. Other studies have shown bentonite as a useful ingredient in the control of certain toxins which affect animals and fowl.

OTHER APPLICATIONS: Bentonite has also proved helpful in sealing freshwater ponds, irrigation ditches, reservoirs, sewage and industrial water lagoons, and in grouting permeable ground. In addition, it has been used in detergents, fungicides, sprays, cleansers, polishes, ceramic, paper, cosmetics and applications where its unique bonding, suspending or gellant properties are required.

1. Bentonite is used in the ceramic and building industry where it is mixed with clay and sand to form an adhesive.
2. Bentonite is effective in sealing against water such as in ditches, ponds, and lagoons. In addition, Bentonite is used in the construction of landfills, remediation of failed landfills, and construction of waste water holding facilities when local clays are not available.
3. In cosmetics, Bentonite provides an active thickening substance for shampoos, calamine lotions, facial creams, and lipsticks, where it keeps the preparations in homogenous form, maintains the moisture levels, and applies non-greasy stickiness.
4. Bentonite's unique bonding abilities have been used for cleansers, sprays, detergents, rubber tire production, and paper in addition to numerous other products.