73 - Bentonite 

Hello friends, Welcome to the Mineral Repository at the Department of Geology, Shivaji Science College, Nagpur. 

I am Bentonite, a clay mineral composed of montmorillonite, a soft phyllosilicate mineral formed from weathered volcanic ash. I have a good swelling capacity,  when mixed with water. I have high plasticity and also I exhibit strong adsorption properties for organic substances and heavy metals. I am found  in the mineral deposits often associated with volcanic ash layers and sedimentary rocks. I am used as a crucial component of drilling mud in oil and gas exploration. I am used as a binding agent in the moulding and casting of metal parts, I am used as a sealant and waterproofing agent in the construction industry.  Thank you for visiting.