BENTONITE – NATURAL GEL is a 200-mesh bentonite that contains no polymer additions, meeting API Specification 13A, Section 10. NATURAL GEL provides viscosity, gelling and filtration control properties to most fresh water-based drilling fluids where an unaltered high quality bentonite is required. NATURAL GEL is also used in hydraulic-barrier applications (pond-sealing, slurry trenching, caissons, etc.) and in monitoring wells.
• Meets or exceeds API specifications for bentonite (13A, section 10).
• Contains no additives
• Provides viscosity to improve hole-cleaning capacity of drilling fluids
• Provides suspension for weighting material
• Provides filtration control and forms a thin filter cake with no permeability
• Environmentally acceptable
BENTONITE – NATURAL GEL requires a pH of 8.5-9.5 for optimal performance. Pretreat make-up water with SODA ASH as required. BENTONITE – NATURAL GEL will not
hydrate in saline water (> 6,000 mg/L); pre-hydrate in fresh water if required.
20-100 kg/m³
Appearance: Tan-grey powder
Specific Gravity: 2.45-2.55
Solubility: Insoluble (forms colloidal suspension)
pH: 8.0-10.0 (5% solution)
Bulk Density: 800 kg/m³ (un-compacted), 1169 kg/m³ (compacted)