Hectalite 200

Alternate Names: Hectalite

Description: Dry processed Hectorite

Oxide	Analysis	Formula
CaO	12.10%	0.27
K2O	0.33%	-
MgO	20.30%	0.62
Na2O	2.80%	0.06
Al2O3	1.58%	0.02
SiO2	60.80%	1.25
Fe2O3	1.23%	0.01
Li2O	1.29%	0.05
LOI	8.50%	n/a
Oxide Weight		123.78
Formula Weight		135.28

Notes

A plastic magnesium-rich sodium hectorite clay of microfine particles (it is a refined version of the same material from which HPM20 and Volclay bentonite are made).

Hectalite is available in grades 200 and GM, they have the same chemistry and other physical data except:
-Hectalite 200 has a viscosity of 2000-5000 cps @ 5% solids whereas GM is 50 cps.
-GM has a slightly lower pH of 8-10 whereas 200 is 9-11.
Hectalite 200 is intended for rheology control (stabilizing, gelling, suspending and binding household products, aerosols, paints, enamels and ceramic slurries) whereas Hectalite GM is intended for binding and plasticizing in ceramic bodies.

The high MgO, CaO, low Al₂O₃ and the presence of Li₂O give this material a chemistry that is unlike other typical fine-particled clays.

Brightness: 70 minimum
Density: 2.6 g/cubic cm
Texture: Soft, slippery
Color: White to off-white

Wet Particle Size:
Through 200 mesh: 99.75%
Through 325 mesh: 99.0%

Moisture %, Maximum: 12%
pH (2% slurry): 9.0-11.0
LOI: 18.65

Specific to GM:
Free Swell: Minimum 24 mls
Viscosity: 2000 - 5000 @ 5% solids
pH: 8.0-10.0 @ 2% solids

CAS No. 1302-78-9

Related Information

Two plasticizers show vastly different potency

A comparison of the plasticity of two bentonites was done by diluting them with silica. The top sample is Volcay 325 mixed 25:75 with silica. It is a standard Wyoming sodium bentonite - mined, dried and ground. The bottom specimen is Hectalite 200, a highly refined white hectorite, mixed 50:50 with silica. Notice how much less plastic it is (even though at double the percentage).

Links

Materials	Magnabrite
Materials	Polargel
Materials	Volclay Bentonite
Materials	Hectabrite White magnesium-rich surface-modified highly purified sodium hectorite clay 4-5 times more efficient than raw bentonite.
Materials	Bentolite L-3
Materials	Bentonite Bentonite can make a clay body instantly plastic, only 2-3% can have a big effect. It also suspends slurries so they don't settle out and slows down drying.
Materials	Hectalite GM
Materials	Hectorite A sodium magnesium montmorillonite that burns much whiter than bentonite (because of lower iron content).
Typecodes	Clay Other Clays that are not kaolins, ball clays or bentonites. For example, stoneware clays are mixtures of all of the above plus quartz, feldspar, mica and other minerals. There are also many clays that have high plasticity like bentonite but are much different mineralogically.

By Tony Hansen
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