Natural Sodium Bentonite is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and other specialist applications.
When bentonite is mixed with water, the water molecules will enter between the clay plates, forcing them apart. While the plates are dispersed, the bentonite slurry becomes quite fluid. However, on standing the particles become oriented with the negative surfaces of the plates being attracted to the positive edges. Viscosity increases and a gel is formed – a reversible effect known as thixotropy.
A typical empirical formula for bentonite is:
(Al, Fe0.67 Mg0.33) Si4O10(OH)2Na,Ca0.33
USES FOR BENTONITE:
Click here for the Specification sheet