Pratham Minechem applications

Foundry, the oldest method, bentonite is used in preparation of moulding sand particularly for green sand molding, steel and non-ferrous casting. We selectively mined and process with necessary additives to achieve good thermal conductivity at higher temperature. Our processed bentonite has numbers of characteristics such as it develops good green and dry strength and better flow, high thermal stability, easy to develop sharp and strong mold edge and corners, excellent ramability, good mold strength in HPML, develop good strength at lower additions, etc. Mixing ratio depends on sand fineness and it quality. Clay particles and impurities of sand will affect Green Strength properties.

Bentonite is an organophilic clay that is a highly effective rheological additive for oil & synthetic based fluids systems, specially at elevated temperatures. Bentonite is derivative of a hectorite clay that is highly effective rheological additive for solids suspension & hole cleaning in oil & synthetic based drilling fluids. Bentonite is stable at elevated temp above 1500C & is effective for improving rheological properties and controlling sag. Bentonite also helps to reduce HPHT fluid invasion.

Natural property of viscosity and thixotropic in bentonite makes suitable to use for paper processing to avoid agglomeration in particle distribution. Ultra fine bentonite powder under stringent quality controls having lowest sand content improves paper quality and develops good paper pulp. Being good filtering agent it helps to drain fast.

The primary use of kaolin is in the paper industry as a paper coating which improves appearance by contributing to brightness, smoothness and gloss. It also improves printability. Additionally, it is used by the paper industry as an filler reducing cost and the use of tree-based resources. It is frequently used in adhesives for paper to control the penetration into the paper.

Kaolin serves as a valuable component in ceramics, Porcelain and Tableware. Its color, gloss and hardness are ideal characteristics for such products. Kaolin is used extensively in the ceramic industry, where its high fusion temperature and white burning characteristics makes it particularly suitable for the manufacture of ceramics, porcelain, tableware and refractories. In the manufacture of white ware the kaolin is usually mixed with other minerals. These components are necessary to obtain the proper properties of plasticity, shrinkage, vitrification, etc., for forming and firing the ware. Kaolin is generally used alone in the manufacture of refractories.

Kaolin is also used as an extender and flattening agent in paints. It is mainly used in architectural water-based paints and industrial coatings. The fine particle size distribution, surface charge and platy structure of kaolin enhances the functional properties of paint film like opacity and gloss, It also improves the anti-settling and rheology properties of paint. The regular grade kaolin are used as functional filler in high and medium PVC water based paint.

Overview - API 13A Section 12: Attapulgite powder, forms gel structures in salt water and is used in special saltwater drilling mud for drilling formations contaminated with salt. Particles can be considered as charged particles with zones of positive and negative charges. The bonding of these alternating charges allows them to form gel suspensions in salt and fresh water.