Bentonite is referred to as the "The Clay of 1000 uses"
Foundries, Well drillers, Iron ore manufacturers and producers
of kitty litter are the main consumers of Bentonite. Foundries
use Bentonite when pouring metal cast molds. The clay withstands
higher temperatures and the excessive heat will not cause the
clay to lose its chemical structure. Well drillers use Bentonite
when drilling oil or gas wells. Bentonite will absorb 10 times
it weight in water. The bentonite clay is mixed with water and
other minerals to form a drilling mud, which seals up the wall
of the well bore and allows the rock chips to be pumped back to
the surface. Iron ore manufacturers add Bentonite to crushed
taconite to form pellets, which can then be transported to a
steel mills. Because Bentonite will absorb moisture, new
applications are continually being developed. Clumping cat
litter and toxic waste cleanup are two of those new markets.
Bentonite is also used as a: - Clarifying agent for wine,
vinegar, fruit juice, beer, oils - Seala