Sodium bentonite is made up of minerals found in the smectite group. Bentonite has two basic forms, one containing sodium and one containing calcium. Only the bentonite that contains sodium swells. Calcium bentonite does not swell at all. Bentonite can vary in color anywhere from a deep brick red to bright white. Bentonite also has a waxy feel to it and becomes slippery when mixed with water. When you mix the slippery feel with the ability to swell when moisture is absorbed, you get clay that is suitable for a number of uses.
Mud Drilling
When bentonite is combined with water, it creates a liquid called drill mud. This mud is used during the process of drilling wells. Drill mud is pumped through the stem of the drill and then flows to the drill bit. The mud attaches itself to the cuttings, which then get brought to the surface with a pump. Drill mud serves as a lubricant and coolant for the drill bit. It also prevents cave-ins and seepage by packing out the drilling shaft.
Paper
Because of the absorbent properties of bentonite, it is used in the paper-making industry to make sure that resins from the wood do not interfere with the machinery, according to the Industrial Minerals Association. It also helps to improve the quality of the paper and makes the entire papet-making process more efficient. When paper is recycled, bentonite is also used as an agent to absorb the ink printed on papers.
Cosmetics
The cosmetics industry uses sodium bentonite in several ways. According to CosmeticsInfo.org, it increases the thickness or viscosity in face, body and hair care products. In order to prevent the skin from having a shiny appearance, bentonite is used in makeup products to absorb excess oil. For products that are used to conceal blemishes and imperfections, sodium bentonite is used to add opacity to the product.
Kitty Litter
Bentonite is an extremely absorbent material. In fact, it is so absorbent that it has the ability to absorb 10 times its weight, according to the Wyoming Mineral Association. Because of its absorbency, you can often find bentonite listed as an ingredient in kitty litter. The bentonite not only absorbs the moisture from your cat going to the bathroom, but it also has deodorizing capabilities. Bentonite is most often found in clumping kitty litter. When the bentonite comes in contact with moisture, it creates a clump that can be removed with a scoop. This can save you money as you are able to replace just small sections of the kitty litter instead of the entire box.
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