Organoclay dry powder features

The features of organoclay dry powder are defined by the inherent characteristics of montmorillonite, particularly its hydration properties.

In dry powder form, montmorillonite undergoes hydration when water molecules penetrate between its basic layers (intracrystalline swelling), which widens the layer spacing and may result in full crystal breakdown under proper conditions.

A notable feature is the stark contrast in hydration between sodium and calcium bentonite dry powders, stemming from their interlayer cations. Sodium bentonite dry powder exhibits greater water absorption (600% – 700%) and swelling because Na⁺ hydrates more readily than Ca²⁺, unlike calcium bentonite which only absorbs 200% – 300% water.

With sodium as the interlayer cation, layer spacing in the dry powder can expand to 160 Å, and further swelling leads to crystal dissociation into individual layers.

Sodium – based montmorillonite dry powder outperforms calcium – based versions in swelling and cation exchange, highlighting its key features in organoclay dry powder products.