Description
White bentonite is a montmorillonite-group clay, available in sodium or calcium activated form, ground to a fine powder. It is known for high swelling capacity, viscosity, and binding strength, and is supplied in both standard industrial grade and purified pharmaceutical grade.
What it is
White bentonite belongs to the montmorillonite group of clay minerals. Sodium activation and calcium activation produce material with different swelling and viscosity characteristics, which is why the two forms are not interchangeable across all applications. The powder form is the ground, ready-to-use version of the material.
Key applications
- Shares the same ceramic and industrial applications as China Clay in body and filler use.
- Purified, low heavy-metal grades meet pharmacopeial standards (USP/BP) for use as a pharmaceutical excipient, including as a tablet binder and a suspending agent.
Choosing the right grade
Pharmaceutical buyers need to confirm upfront whether they require pharma-grade, purity-tested material or standard industrial grade. The two differ significantly on both price and the documentation that accompanies the order, since pharma-grade requires the heavy-metal and purity testing pharmacopeial standards call for. Buying the wrong grade means either paying for testing and documentation that is not needed, or missing testing that is required.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between sodium and calcium activated white bentonite?
The two forms differ in swelling and viscosity behavior, which affects how they perform in binding and suspension applications. Which one is correct depends on the specific application, tell us the intended use and we can confirm the right form.
Do you supply pharmaceutical grade bentonite?
Yes, in purified, low heavy-metal grades tested to meet pharmacopeial standards. This is priced and documented separately from standard industrial grade, confirm which one your order requires before requesting a quote.
Related products
Buyers sourcing White Bentonite Powder for ceramic or industrial use often also source China Clay and Ball Clay. Buyers sourcing pharmaceutical grade should confirm documentation requirements with our team directly.
Need the unground, raw material instead? See W.B. Lumps (White Bentonite Lumps), supplied earlier in the processing chain for buyers who grind to their own specification.
