Bentonite an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Bentonite is an offwhite montmorillonite clay formed from altered volcanic ash. It has a sheetsilicate structure and is especially notable for the way in which it absorbs and loses water and for its baseexchange properties. Sodic bentonite can absorb up to 10 times its own weight in water and can swell to 18 times its dry volume.