Western bentonite

Natural bentonite with a sodium-ion coverage on its clay surface predetermined by mineral formation.

Its name indicates its deposits; larger deposits are to be found in Wyoming, South Dakota/USA. In America, Western bentonite is distinguished from Southern bentonite (calcium bentonite) which is produced in the Southern States of Texas, Utah and Arizona. Western bentonite has very good strength and plasticity properties in the molding material but it also has a very high residual strength which complicates demolding.