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Bentone MA
Glaze Suspender, Hectorite
Chemistry
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Miscellaneous
- Family: Clay Other
- Region: None
- Mined At: Unspecified
- Raw Mineral: No
- Generic: No
Notes
Bentone grades HC, CT, EW are used as rheology modifiers in glazes.
Macaloid is an off-white flaky powder used primarily as a glaze suspender made from hectorite montmorillonitic ore (see Hectorite). It tends to suspend and harden the dried glaze while not extending the glazes drying time, as is the case with CMC gum. Thus it is common to use Macaloid and CMC together to control drying time, suspension and glaze hardness.
Macaloid is valued for its long-time suspending properties which helps prevent uneven settling of material particles which have differing specific gravities (i.e. stain particles tend to be much heavier and settle first).
Macaloid is lower in iron than bentonite and thus is valued as a plasticizer in porcelain bodies. Like bentonite, it increases water requirements and can be used in similar amounts.
To get maximum benefit from Macaloid, it should be mixed thoroughly into the water with a power blunger (for hours if possible) before adding the other dry ingredients.
C.E.C.: 78 me/100 gm
Principle Exchange Ion: Na
pH (5% solids slurry): 8.5
Hectorite Content: 90%
Minus 50 mesh: 90%
Minus 325 mesh: 99.5%
Surface Area: 600 sq. meter/gram
Bulk Density (not compacted): 0.24-0.37 g/cc
Suppliers
- Elementis Specialities, Inc.
Authors
- Tony Hansen (Owner)
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