ADHESIVES. . . as a thickener
Some liquid adhesives are strong, but thin (low viscosity). When adhesives are thin, they soak too quickly into porous papers and are reduced in efficiency. Adding sodium bentonite or hectorite to a thin adhesive instantly creates a thickened adhesive that sits on top of porous paper -- the penetration is controlled. Bentonite or hectorite is usually just blended with a liquid adhesive. Improved gelling is accomplished by premixing these clays with a little fresh water, then adding the clay premix to the adhesive until the right balance of properties is reached.

DETERGENT. . . as a colloid
Detergents consist of an alkali to loosen dirt and grease, an emulsifier to hold oil and grease, and a protective colloid to prevent soil particles from redeposition in the fabric. Sodium bentonite, such as Polargel T or hectorite, such as Hectalite 200, are selected for use in detergents on the basis of all of these actions, although very mild in alkalinity. It acts not merely as a filler, but as an active agent when added to detergent formulas.

PRINTING. . . as a suspending agent
In the process of printing, some inks do not dry rapidly and may offset from one sheet to the back of the sheet stacked above it. A common cure for this problem is starch, held suspended by a thin hectorite or white bentonite suspension.

INSECTICIDES. . . as a carrier
Volclay powder is an active carrier in the formulation of dust insecticides. Volclay clings to the plant and is held in place by traces of moisture on the plant, thus reducing loss of toxicant due to blowing and dusting. Sodium bentonites, such as Volclay HPM-20, impregnate easily with poisons dissolved in an organic solvent. This toxicant solution is sprayed on Volclay and tumbled until the solvent has essentially evaporated. This leaves a film of poison impregnated in and on the Volclay products. Powder insecticides may be applied by airplane or ground applicators. They have the ability to penetrate dense foliage and are useful in corn borer and mosquito control.

PENCILS & GRAPHITE. . . as a binder
In the manufacture of graphite pencils, air-classified grades of Volclay sodium bentonite and micronized hectorite are regularly used to bind the graphite compound in pencil lead.

POLISHES. . . as a thickener
Small amounts of hectorite and magnesium aluminum silicate added to the suspension type of polish, or 5% to 10% for the paste type of polish keeps the product in uniform suspension for long periods of time. These clays increase the consistency, makes spreading and removal easier.

HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS. . . as a binder, suspension aid and stabilizer
Small quantities of air-classified bentonite or hectorite impart stabilization of aerosols and cleaning compounds due to the large surface area of bentonites, and even greater surface area of hectorites. Both hectorite and bentonite are compatible with organic gums and associative thickeners, modify the consistency and feel of organic thickeners by reducing tackiness, gumminess and stringiness.

WELDING RODS. . . as a binder
Hectorite is used in welding rod coatings. It is used as a binder to adhere the various fluxing materials to the welding rod. It also acts as a suspending agent in the coating solution.

Products

Bentobrite^®

• Bentobrite 770
  Suspending agent and gellant for use in household products, automotive products, aerosols, paints, enamels and other industrial applications. Used as a binder and plasticizer, especially in ceramic bodies, to ease extrusion and increase green strength.
• Bentobrite KB-325
  Suspending agent, gellant, and binder for use in household products, automotive products, aerosols, enamels and other industrial specialty applications where high solid levels and low viscosity are desired.

Hectabrite^®

• Hectabrite AW
  Suspending agent, viscosifier, binder and emulsion stabilizer for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Exhibits high thixotropy to enhance a broad range of formulations. Hectabrite AW delivers high viscosity to be incorporated in low solids preparations.

Hectalite^®

• Hectalite 200
  High-yielding hectorite clay that exhibits high efficiency, excellent rheology and stability. Typically used in dishwasher liquids, cementitious products, cleaners, architectural paints, ceramics, and adhesives.

Panther Creek^®

• Panther Creek 150
  A general purpose filler and binder for compressed and pelletized products. Used to increase green compression strength and impart flowability.
• Panther Creek 200
  A general purpose filler and binder for compressed and pelletized products. Used to increase green compression strength and impart flowability.

PC Catalyst^®

• PC Catalyst
  Special-purpose, co-reactant catalyst and carrier exhibiting a high surface area and low grit content.

Polargel^®

• Polargel CA
  Applications where high solid levels and low viscosity are desired. Used as a binder and plasticizer to ease extrusion and increase green strength with minimal viscosity increase.
• Polargel HV
  Suspending agent, viscosifier, binder and emulsion stabilizer for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Promotes excellent rheology and fine body to enhance a broad range of formulations. Polargel HV delivers high viscosity to be incorporated in low solids preparations.
• Polargel T
  A suspending agent, viscosifier, binder and emulsion stabilizer. A highly efficient form of purified white bentonite principally used in coating and cleaning compounds (polishes, detergents, etc.) Used whenever a white, inorganic, thixotropic material is desired for formulations.
• Polargel
  Suspending agent, viscosifier, binder and emulsion stabilizer for a variety of industrial products where low grit, light color, and high purity are required.

Tacobond™

• Tacobond
  Sodium bentonite is a specially controlled blend of high quality western montmorillonite clay. Tacobond is formulated to meet the Exacting specifications of our customers.

Volclay^®

• Volclay 325 Mesh
  Multi-purpose suspending, emulsifying, and binding agent used in industrial applications where low grit and a small, dry particle size are required.
• Volclay Accofloc^® 350
  Used alone or in conjunction with polyelectrolytes or flocculating inorganic salts, Accofloc 350 will assist in increasing the rate and efficiency of flocculation.
• Volclay Accofloc^® SDG
  Used alone or in conjunction with poly-electrolytes or flocculating inorganic salts. Accofloc SDG will assist in increasing the rate and efficiency of flocculation. In some cases Accofloc SDG will be effective when added alone, but in many cases incremental additions of poly-electrolytes or other flocculants may be required.
• Volclay Accu-Gel™ F
  General purpose thixotropic agent used in applications where relatively fine particle size is required. Particularly useful for plasticizing, binding and thickening many industrial applications.
• Volclay Accu-Gel™
  General purpose suspending, emulsifying, and plasticizing agent used in industrial products such as asphalt emulsions and rock wool insulation.
• Volclay GPG 30
  Multi-purpose product noted for rapid dispersion in water. Employed in a wide variety of industrial applications. Volclay GPG-30 is commonly used by domestic contractors for remedial waterproofing.
• Volclay GPG 55
  Multi-purpose product noted for rapid dispersion in water. Employed in a wide variety of industrial applications.
• Volclay GPG 90
  Multi-purpose product noted for rapid dispersion in water. Employed in a wide variety of industrial applications.
• Volclay HPM-20
  This high-purity montmorillonite is typically used as a suspending agent, viscosifier, binder, and emulsion stabilizer.
• Volclay HPM-75
  This high-purity montmorillonite is typically used as a suspending agent, viscosifier, binder, and emulsion stabilizer for household, agricultural, and other industrial applications.
• Volclay NF-BC
  Suspending agent, viscosifier, binder and emulsion stabilizer for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Specifically used when darker color is desired for formulations.
• Volclay Premium Gel^®
  General purpose filler for use when mild thixotropic properties are desirable. Premium Gel is a 200 mesh rheology enhancer.
• Volclay Rheospan^®
  This high-purity montmorillonite is typically used as a suspending agent, viscosifier, binder, and emulsion stabilizer.
• Volclay SPG 20-40
  Used as a granular carrier for agriculturally-related chemicals and other substances where controlled particle size is required.
• Volclay SPG 8-20
  Various chemical carriers or filler applications where controlled particle size is required.
• Volclay SPV 200
  Multi-purpose suspending, emulsifying, and binding agent used in industrial products where a dry 200 mesh particle size is required.