Plainsman Clays | BENTNS
Bentonite NS
Bentonite is a very fine clay formed from weathered volcanic ash, with particles about ten times smaller than kaolin. A very small addition makes a clay body noticeably more plastic.
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Bentonite is a smectite clay, mostly montmorillonite, formed from weathered volcanic ash. Its particles are smaller than a micron, about ten times finer than kaolin, and that fineness is behind everything it does. A given weight holds far more particles than the same weight of kaolin or ball clay, so a recipe needs only a fraction of the amount, and it takes up a great deal more water. A small addition raises a clay body's plasticity and dry strength. Too much makes the body sticky to work with and raises its drying shrinkage, so additions stay small. Blend it with the dry materials before any water is added. Stirred into water or into a mixed glaze it forms lumps that are very hard to break up. It carries some iron, which can show as specks in a light coloured body.
- Smectite clay, mostly montmorillonite, from weathered volcanic ash
- A clay body plasticizer typically added in very small amounts
- Particles about ten times finer than kaolin
- Raises dry strength as well as plasticity
- Blend it in dry, it lumps if stirred into water
- Carries some iron that can show as specks in a light body
