Bentonite is essentially a type of swelling clay with an astonishing ability to absorb water, capable of absorbing up to three times its weight in water according to studies. This water absorption capability makes bentonite an ideal choice for water absorption applications. However, the benefits of bentonite are not limited to its water absorption ability. It also has other useful properties, such as ion exchange and environmental compatibility, which are important and beneficial for various industries. If you need bentonite powder for your industry and want to learn more about this product, stay with us until the end of this guide. In this content, we aim to introduce a smart solution for purchasing high-quality and cost-effective bentonite.
A Brief Introduction to Bentonite Powder: The Amazing Water Absorbent
Bentonite powder is an extremely soft clay primarily composed of montmorillonite, a hydrated aluminum silicate and a member of the smectite group. Most bentonites are formed by the alteration of volcanic ash and rocks after intense contact with water. Bentonite has strong colloidal properties, which cause its volume to increase several times upon contact with water, creating a gelatinous and sticky material. Its unique properties include swelling, water absorption, viscosity, and thixotropy.
These characteristics make bentonite powder applicable in a wide range of industries, from water purification to the steel, electrical, and food industries.
Interestingly, the use of bentonite dates back to 5000 BC, when it was used in Cyprus for washing and thickening woolen fabrics. A hundred years ago, specialists discovered that this product is also useful for decolorizing or bleaching vegetable, animal, and petroleum oils. Upon closely examining its properties, they recognized its remarkable capabilities and applications.
Bentonite is divided into two categories: sodium and calcium. Sodium bentonite is known for its ability to absorb and retain large amounts of water and its capacity to swell. In comparison, calcium bentonite has limited swelling, which is why industries prefer to use sodium bentonite.
Bentonite Powder Production Process
Bentonite powder production involves several stages that transform raw bentonite rock into refined and packaged bentonite powder. Here’s a concise overview of these steps:
- Extraction of bentonite ore: Bentonite is extracted from mines as raw ore. Countries with the largest bentonite deposits include the United States, China, India, Turkey, and Iran.
- Crushing and purification: The bentonite ore is crushed into smaller pieces and then ground into powder. During this stage, larger impurities such as rocks and other minerals are removed from the bentonite.
- Activation: Bentonite may be activated with chemicals such as acid or caustic soda to enhance its properties. Activation increases the surface area and ion exchange capacity of bentonite, which is essential for many of its applications.
- Drying: The moisture content of the bentonite is carefully controlled during this stage to ensure the final product’s quality is not affected.
- Grinding and classification: The bentonite powder is ground to the required size. The particle size of bentonite varies depending on its application. For example, bentonite used in oil well drilling needs to be much finer than bentonite used in casting. After grinding, the bentonite powder is classified based on particle size and intended use.
- Packaging: After the production and classification process is complete, the bentonite powder is packaged in paper bags or large sacks.
Applications of Bentonite Powder in Various Industries
In this section of the bentonite powder purchase guide, we will explain some of the most important applications of this material in various industries:
- Foundry: Bentonite is used as a bonding material in the preparation of molding sand for the production of iron, steel, and non-ferrous casting. The unique properties of bentonite yield green sand molds with good flowability, compactibility, and thermal stability for the production of high-quality castings.
- Pelletizing: Bentonite is used as a binding agent in the production of iron ore pellets. Through this process, iron ore fines are converted into spherical pellets, suitable as feed material in blast furnaces for pig iron production, or in the production of direct reduction iron (DRI).
- Construction and civil engineering: Bentonite in civil engineering applications is used traditionally as a thixotropic, support, and lubricant agent in diaphragm walls and foundations, tunneling, horizontal directional drilling, and pipe jacking. Bentonite, due to its viscosity and plasticity, also is used in Portland cement and mortars.
- Environmental markets: Bentonite’s adsorption/absorption properties are very useful for wastewater purification. Common environmental directives recommend low permeability soils, which naturally should contain bentonite, as a sealing material in the construction and rehabilitation of landfills to ensure the protection of groundwater from pollutants. Bentonite is the active protective layer of geosynthetic clay liners.
- Drilling: Another conventional use of bentonite is 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.
- Oils/Food markets: Bentonite is utilized in the removal of impurities in oils where its adsorptive properties are crucial in the processing of edible oils and fats (soy/palm/canola oil). In drinks such as beer, wine, and mineral water, and products like sugar or honey, bentonite is used as a clarification agent.
- Agriculture: Bentonite is used as an animal feed supplement, 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 also is used as an ion exchanger for the improvement and conditioning of the soil. When thermally treated, it can be used as a porous ceramic carrier for various herbicides and pesticides.
- Pharmaceuticals: Cosmetics and Medical Markets: Bentonite is used as filler in pharmaceuticals, and due to its absorption/adsorption functions, it allows 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 for heavy metal poisoning. Personal care products such as mud packs, sunburn paint, baby and face powders, and face creams may all contain bentonite.
- Detergents: Laundry detergents and liquid hand cleansers/soaps rely on the inclusion of bentonite, in order to remove the impurities in solvents and to soften the fabrics.
- Paints: Dyes and Polishes: Due to its thixotropic properties, bentonite and organoclays function as a thickening and/or suspension agent in varnishes, and in water and solvent paints. Its adsorption properties are appreciated for the finishing of indigo dying cloth, and in dyes (lacquers for paints & wallpapers).
Purchasing Bentonite Powder from the Best Manufacturers Worldwide
Currently, various reputable and professional companies around the world are producing high-quality bentonite powder. If you also intend to purchase bentonite powder from professional companies globally, you can rely on Ishtar Company. This company is connected with the best bentonite producers and consistently strives to provide high-quality and cost-effective products to its customers.
Price of Bentonite Powder
Producers and suppliers of bentonite powder have various pricing strategies, and they price their products based on the quality of raw materials, labor costs, transportation costs, packaging costs, and the technologies and equipment used. Ishtar Company, as a supplier of bentonite powder, has always strived to adopt a pricing strategy that ensures high-quality bentonite powder is delivered to customers at a reasonable price. If you wish to know the exact price of bentonite powder, call (+971) 524403255, and Ishtar’s experts will provide you with all the necessary information.
Bulk Bentonite Powder at Ishtar Company: Superior Quality & Competitive Prices
If you intend to purchase bentonite powder in bulk and want to acquire this product with excellent quality and reasonable prices, we recommend turning to reputable and professional suppliers. These companies are always focused on customer satisfaction and strive to achieve this goal by ensuring quality and affordability.
Ishtar Company is one of the reliable suppliers of bentonite powder in the Middle East, consistently sourcing this product from the best producers to offer high quality and competitive prices to its customers. The price of this product at Ishtar Company is fully negotiable depending on the volume of your order. The minimum order quantity for purchasing bentonite powder from Ishtar Company is 25 tons, which can be shipped in bulk or jumbo bags. The shipping terms are FOB and CFR ASWP. For more information or to place an order, call (+971) 524403255.
