CAS 1302-78-9
Bentonite
Bentonite is a swelling sodium montmorillonite clay used to build viscosity and control fluid loss in drilling mud, and in piling, foundry and pelletising work.
Sodium bentonite is a clay made of thin platelets of montmorillonite that absorb water and swell many times their dry volume. In drilling fluid those platelets build viscosity to carry cuttings to surface, and they form a thin, low-permeability filter cake on the well wall that stops mud being lost into the formation.
Drilling-grade bentonite is tested to API 13A for viscosity yield, filtrate volume and grit. The same swelling behaviour makes bentonite essential in horizontal directional drilling, diaphragm walls and piling, as a binder in foundry sand and iron ore pellets, and in waterproofing liners. Calcium bentonites can be soda-activated to approach sodium bentonite performance.
- CAS number
- 1302-78-9
- Grades / forms
- API drilling grade
- Industries
- Mining & Oil Drilling
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- MSDS in destination format
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Typical applications
- Viscosifier and fluid-loss control in drilling mud
- Horizontal directional drilling and water well drilling
- Support fluid for piling and diaphragm walls
- Binder in foundry green sand
- Binder in iron ore pelletising
- Geosynthetic clay liners and waterproofing
Packing options
- 25 kg & 50 kg bags
- 1–1.5 tonne jumbo bags
Storage & handling
Keep dry. Bentonite absorbs moisture from the air and will cake; pallets should be covered and stored off the ground.
Documentation
Certificate of Analysis, MSDS, Certificate of Origin, dangerous goods declaration where applicable, and third-party pre-shipment inspection on request.
Typical specification
- Viscometer reading at 600 rpm
- ≥ 30 (22.5 g in 350 mL water)
- Yield point / plastic viscosity ratio
- ≤ 3
- Filtrate volume
- ≤ 15.0 mL
- Residue > 75 µm
- ≤ 4.0%
- Moisture
- ≤ 10%
Typical values for reference. The exact specification is agreed before the order and confirmed on the Certificate of Analysis for each batch.
Bentonite — frequently asked
Sodium bentonite swells strongly in fresh water and builds high viscosity and a tight filter cake, which is why drilling and piling use it. Calcium bentonite swells much less; it can be treated with soda ash ('activated') to improve swelling, and is widely used in foundries and as an absorbent.
Bentonite should be pre-hydrated in fresh water for several hours before salt, lime or other electrolytes are added. Mixed straight into salty or hard water, the platelets cannot swell properly and the yield drops sharply.
Yes. Drilling-grade bentonite is tested for viscometer dial reading, yield point to plastic viscosity ratio, filtrate volume, residue above 75 µm and moisture as set out in API Specification 13A.
Yes. Chemtrade manufactures and exports Bentonite (CAS 1302-78-9) from Surat, Gujarat, India to more than 55 countries, for customers in Mining & Oil Drilling. Send your grade, quantity and destination port for a quotation within one business day.
Every shipment of Bentonite from Chemtrade includes a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Certificate of Origin, third-party pre-shipment inspection and destination-specific regulatory documentation are arranged on request.
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