Bentonite is a very soft plastic clay consisting predominantly of montmorillonite, a fine particle sized hydrous aluminum silicate and member of the smectite group. It is a clay generated frequently from the alteration of volcanic ash, consisting predominantly of smectite minerals, usually montmorillonite.
It contain a variety of accessory minerals in addition to montmorillonite. These minerals may include quartz, feldspar, calcite and gypsum.
Most bentonites are formed by the alteration of volcanic ash and rocks after intense contact with water. Bentonite presents strong colloidal properties and increases its volume several times when coming into contact with water, creating a gelatinous and viscous substance.
Its specific properties include swelling, water absorption, viscosity and thixotropy. These properties are in demand in a huge range of industries served by Global Group of Companies, earning it the nickname ‘the mineral with a thousand uses’.
