Sepiolite Rheological Clays

Sepiolite is a naturally occurring clay mineral of sedimentary origin. It is a non swelling, lightweight, porous clay with a large specific surface area. Chemically, sepiolite is a hydrous magnesium silicate whose individual particles have a needle-like morphology. The high surface area and porosity of this clay accounts for its outstanding absorption capacity for liquids. Sepiolite granules do not disintegrate even when saturated with liquids.

Sepiolite-based rheological additives provide viscous fluids with thixotropic behaviour when they are dispersed in water or other liquid systems. Sepiolite suspensions are stable even in systems with high salt content (high ionic strength) unlike suspensions of other clays, such as bentonite.

Applications

Construction related applications include tile adhesives, rendering mortars, sprayed concrete, concrete pumping and building boards. Sepiolite based rheological and thickening additives provide many advantages such as improving surface finishes, controlling slippage, high level of whiteness, improving workability, adhesion and several other benefits.