The wishlist name can't be left blank
×

:

Not a valid Time
This is a required field.

Bentonite - The Magical Substance with Multiple Applications

Bentonite - The Magical Substance with Multiple Applications

Bentonite - a type of volcanic ash that is commonly found as mud or clay in nature - is an amazing, versatile product. Used for centuries by natives for everything from medicinal purposes to construction, its unique scientific and textural properties have made it a favorite additive to drilling muds and fluids in the oil and gas industries.

Here's how this multipurpose substance is changing the way we mine:

The Almost-Magical Properties of Bentonite

What makes bentonite so popular for these applications? The free-flowing nature of bentonite in finely ground form means that it behaves almost like a liquid when stirred or shaken. Once added to water, it becomes a highly lubricating liquid, which is both smooth and cool to the touch.

People who have used bentonite clay-based beauty products may notice these properties. Used in face masks, dry shampoos, makeup and more, the clay is cool and comfortable on the skin while wet. In drilling, that same cool, comfortable texture is a boon for overheated mechanical parts. It both lubricates surfaces to keep them moving effectively and keeps them cool to avoid overheating and malfunctions. Who would have thought that an additive in beauty products could be so effective in an application like that?

Bentonite in Drilling Fluids

One of the many reasons why bentonite is chosen as a drilling fluid or mud additive is because of the change in texture that occurs once the liquid form of this substance begins to cool. Just as skincare masks made with bentonite harden to draw impurities from the skin, so too does the drilling fluid it is used in become more viscous. During use - while it is still liquid - the fluid helps to bring dislodged stone pieces to the surface for collection or disposal. Once it begins to firm up, the viscosity of the fluid prevents those stone pieces from sinking again, trapping them within reach of miners and technicians.

Bentonite also protects from water seepage, as the dried form of moistened bentonite consists of swollen particles which harden to form a nearly-impenetrable "sludge cake". This barrier seals cracks and crevices and protects against collapse after mining, adding just one more reason to the list of why bentonite is an excellent choice for these applications.

For more information and to find top-quality bentonite drilling fluid additives and much more, contact the industry experts at Build It Right. The right products, the right service - get it all here.