Sodium Bentonite Powder

Supplying bentonite powder for metro rail projects involves key suppliers in India (like those linked to Chennai's chemical suppliers, UENI.com) providing high-quality, OCMA-standard bentonite for drilling, grouting, and tunnel support, crucial for ground stabilization, waterproofing, and slurry walls in soft soil conditions common in metro construction. Suppliers offer different grades, with bentonite swelling to form gels for stability, essential for safe, efficient metro tunnel boring and excavation.
Key Suppliers & Applications:
Manufacturers & Distributors: Companies such as Lime Shell India Chemicals (UENI.com) in Chennai supply bentonite powder, alongside other construction materials like lime, bauxite, and filter media, for various infrastructure needs.
Specialized Bentonite Producers: Firms like Geosense offer premium bentonite powder meeting OCMA standards (Oil Companies Materials Association) for rapid viscosity and gel strength in civil works.
How it's Used in Metro Projects:
Slurry Walls: Bentonite mixed with water creates a stable, fluid (thixotropic) slurry that prevents trench collapse during excavation, a common technique in metro station construction.
Drilling & Grouting: It's used to stabilize boreholes during drilling for piles or diaphragm walls and as grout to seal underground voids and strengthen soil.
Tunnel Support: Bentonite gels provide temporary ground support and act as a sealant in tunneling, especially in soft or waterlogged ground, complementing primary support like shotcrete.
Where to Find Suppliers:
Directly contact: Chemical suppliers, manufacturers of drilling additives, and distributors of construction chemicals in major metro hubs (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad).
Search Terms: Use "Bentonite powder supplier India," "Metro project bentonite," or "OCMA grade bentonite for civil engineering" to find relevant companies. You supply sodium and calcium bentonite powders for various applications like earthing, drilling, piling, borewell construction, and general construction. The primary types of bentonite are distinguished by the type of cation (sodium or calcium) that determines their swelling and bonding properties. Sodium bentonite is known for its high swelling and gelling ability, making it suitable for drilling and piling, while calcium bentonite has lower absorption but higher stability and is often used in other industrial applications.

Types of Bentonite Powder

• Sodium Bentonite:Characterized by its high swelling and gelling properties when hydrated, due to the presence of Na⁺ ions.Uses: Ideal for drilling fluids (for viscosity and stabilization), piling, and certain earthing applications.
  
• Calcium Bentonite:Contains Ca²⁺ ions, resulting in stronger interlayer bonding, less swelling compared to sodium bentonite, and greater stability.Uses: Often used where strong binding and stability are required.
  

Applications Across Different Sectors

• Earthing Bentonite Powder:Function: Enhances soil conductivity by retaining moisture and providing a stable, chemically inert medium.
  Usage: Incorporated into the backfill for earthing pits to ensure low resistance and long-term effectiveness.
• Drilling Mud Bentonite Powder:Function: Swells and gels in water to create a stable mud that cools the drill bit, removes cuttings, and stabilizes the borehole.
  Usage: Primarily sodium bentonite for drilling, especially in HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) and tunneling.
• Piling Bentonite Powder:Function: The swelling and gelling properties of sodium bentonite create a stable, waterproof wall in excavations for piling and trenching.
  Usage: Used to create a slurry that prevents trench walls from collapsing and controls filtration.
• Construction Bentonite Powder:Function: Provides viscosity, suspension, and waterproofing properties.
  Usage: Employed in various construction activities where these properties are beneficial.
• Borewell Bentonite Powder:Function: Similar to drilling, it helps stabilize borewell walls and facilitates the removal of cuttings during the drilling process.Usage:Manipur, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Uttarakhand, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, South India, Central India, North India, East India, West India, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Goa, Pondicherry, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Haryana, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Nagaland, Tripura, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, All India