Organoclay for thickening

Organoclay for thickening plays a vital role in thickening applications, and its performance is closely linked to the properties of bentonite, a non – metallic mineral primarily composed of montmorillonite. Bentonite is known as a “versatile material” with “a thousand uses” due to its physical and chemical properties such as water absorption and swelling, adhesiveness, cation exchangeability, lubricity, and thixotropy, boasting high economic value. The preparation of organobentonite, the basis for organoclay used in thickening, starts with calcium – based bentonite.

It undergoes crushing, then dispersion and purification with dispersants like sodium pyrophosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate (high – valence anionic phosphate compounds).

After that, sodium modification and purification are carried out using sodiumizing agents such as anhydrous sodium carbonate and sodium fluoride to obtain sodium – based bentonite.

Finally, organic substances or surfactants, mainly organic ammonium salts, are added to prepare the organobentonite composite, which exhibits excellent thickening capabilities.