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Bentonite - A Technical Overview
Bentonite Structure:
We supply a range of clay minerals, in particular Bentonite. Bentonite is a natural clay of the smectite family. It's platelet structure makes it a versatile mineral, no two natural forms are the same and the chemistry is complex. Bentonite sometimes acts more like a chemical than a mineral.
Bentonite has some interesting properties. The expertise of Amcol Detergent Specialties is in sourcing speciality bentonite from all over the world to suit particular applications. The individual platelets of bentonite can be thought of as a "club sandwich". The platelet consisting of a tetrahedral Silicon Oxide layer with some Silicon replaced with trivalent cations, sandwiched between two octrahedral Aluminium Oxide layer with some Aluminium replaced with divalent cations. The edge of each platelet has a hydroxide group which allows it to form thixotropic gels in water.
Charge imbalances are generated on the surface due to the metal replacements in the structure which are countered by the cations bound to the surface. The individual platelets are surrounded by lattice moisture and stack together to form agglomerates. As a result, the overall properties of a bentonite are determined by the platelet size, number & size of charges, structural metal replacements, processing as well as a host of other factors.
Our Bentonites are used in a variety of applications. Some bentonites when specially processed can adsorb water between the platelets, others when wetted out deagglomerate and can form thixotropic gels where the individual platelets form an extensive network of hydrogen bonds. Other white bentonites combine their colour and platelet structure to add softening properties into detergents or swelling properties to produce dispersion aids. Amcol Detergent Specialties also combine bentonite and other chemicals to further enhance the properties of the bentonite for highly specialised applications.
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NEWS and EVENTS
October 15-17, 2008 at Congress Centrum, Würzburg, Germany.
AMCOL Detergent Specialties will be participating in the 55th SEPAWA Congress with European Detergents Conference
Please feel free to come and discuss your requirements with us for your agglomerated raw materials. You can find us at Stand 131, Ground Floor.
AMCOL Detergent Specialties - Smart Products, Clever Solutions
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