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Bentonite

The clay of a thousand uses.

What is Bentonite?

Bentonite is a naturally occurring plastic clay that was first found in about 1890 in upper cretaceous tuff near Fort Benton, Montana. It is a very useful and versatile mineral that is found in a wide variety of products and services. Therefore, bentonite is often called “the clay of a thousand uses.”

Bentonite is created from the alteration of volcanic ash. Bentonite is highly absorbent, and its volume increases several times when in contact with water, creating a gelatinous and viscous fluid. This characteristic makes it a valuable material for a wide range of uses and applications.

Fun Facts

  • Bentonite is used as an antidote against heavy metal poisoning. 

Where to Find Bentonite

Uses for Bentonite

Agriculture Bentonite is used as a pelletizing aid in the production of animal feed pellets as well as a flowability aid for unconsolidated feed ingredients such as soy meal. It is also used to improve and condition crop soils. When thermally treated, it can be used as a porous ceramic carrier for various herbicides and pesticides.
Cat Litter Bentonite is used for cat litter, due to its advantage of absorbing refuse by forming clumps that are easily removed, leaving the remaining product intact for further use.
Construction & Civil Engineering Barite is also used in a wide variety of other applications including plastics, clutch pads, rubber mudflaps, mold release compounds, radiation shielding, television and computer monitors, sound-deadening material in automobiles, traffic cones, brake linings, paint, and golf balls.
Detergents Laundry detergents and liquid hand cleansers/soaps rely on the inclusion of bentonite to remove impurities in solvents and to soften fabrics.
Drilling Bentonite is also used as a mud constituent for oil and water well drilling. Its roles are mainly to seal the borehole walls, to remove drill cuttings, and to lubricate the cutting head.
Environmental Cleaning Bentonite’s adsorption/absorption properties are very useful for wastewater purification. It is used as part of a sealing material in the construction and rehabilitation of landfills to protect groundwater from the pollutants. It is also used to create materials that absorb and remove contaminants during spills or other environmental emergencies. 
Metal Foundry Bentonite is used as a binding agent in the production of iron ore pellets. It is also used as a bonding material in the preparation of moulding sand for the production of iron, steel, and non-ferrous casting. The unique properties of bentonite allow for the creation of very high-quality castings for metallic components including automobile engines.
Oils & Food Markets Bentonite absorptive properties helps remove impurities in the processing of food-grade oils and fats. Bentonite helps improve clarity and visual appeal in drinks such as beer, wine, and mineral water, and in products like sugar or honey. 
Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Bentonite is used as filler in pharmaceuticals, and due to its absorption/adsorption functions, it allows for paste formation. Such applications include industrial protective creams, calamine lotion, wet compresses, and anti-irritants for eczema. In medicine, bentonite is used as an antidote in heavy metal poisoning. Personal care products, such as mud packs, sunburn paint, baby and face powders, and face creams, may all contain bentonite.
Paints, Dyes, & Polishes Bentonite serves as a thickening and/or suspension agent in varnishes and in water solvent paints. Its adsorption properties are used for the finishing of indigo dying cloth and in dyes (lacquers for paints and wallpapers).
Paper Bentonite is crucial to paper making, where it is used in the absorption of wood resins that obstruct the machines and to improve the efficiency of conversion of pulp into paper. It also helps improve the quality of the paper. Bentonite also offers useful de-inking properties for paper recycling. In addition, acid-activated bentonite is used as the active component in the manufacturing of carbonless copy paper.

Related Resources

USGS Clays Mineral Commodity Summary

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