Bentonite-Volclay Siam-Whatis

Bentonite is a high swelling clay mineral that is delivered from volcanic ash. However, the volcanic ash has been modified over a period of millions of years to form bentonite. Mineralogically bentonite consists of montmorillonite in combination with approximately 10-20% various mineral impurities such as feldspars, calcites, silica, gypsum, etc.

The physical structure of montmorillonite looks like a cluster of flakes or crystals. The atoms that make up the structure have a small negative charge, which is balanced by the adsorption of exchangeable cations. These cations are usually calcium, sodium or magnesium. The actual ctystal structures can vary considerably from one material to another according to the origin of the montmorillonite.

The extremely fine structure and particle size with exchangeable cations makes bentonite a unique material. There are endless uses for a material that has so many absorbent and rheological applications. The rapid technological advancements of processing and pre-treatment of bentonite are widening the scope for the potential uses of nature's most interesting clay.

In addition to the well known commercial properties, bentonites special characteristics make it an effective binder, plasticiser, lubricant, gellent or viscosifier. These characteristics are critical to the production of many industrial and consumer products that are used everyday.

American Colloid and Volclay Siam have long supplied the traditional bentonite markets with civil engineering products for use in diaphragm wall construction, bore-pilling and similar type below surface work. Similarly, our products are well established in drilling applications as suspension sgents in water based drilling mud systems.

Bentonites are used in environmental applications; the most common is as a ground sealant with other areas being components in water and effluent treatment formulations.

Other specialized uses of bentonite include paper production, paints, emulsions in wine and vegetable oil clarification, binders in phamaceuticals, as well as in traditional and flushable cat litter.