BENTONITE

Bentonite is a moisture retaining clay used as an earth electrode back-fill to help lower soil resistivity. The clay is a sodium activated montmorillonite, which when mixed with water swells to many times its original dry volume. While there is no specific mixing ratio, we recommend gradually adding Bentonite to water in a mixing vessel, agitate to evenly disperse the Bentonite and continue mixing until there is a workable slurry that suits the site, hole or trench.

Bentonite can be supplied in granular or powder form. The granular form is easier to handle as the powder can cause dust in windy conditions. Granular is the preferred option for filling trenches as the substance can be mixed in the trench. Powder is the preferred option for pouring into bore holes to ensure the mixture is a thin enough consistency to reach the bottom of the hole.