Bentonite binder for iron ore pelletising
High-swelling, finely ground soda-activated bentonite for balling iron ore concentrate, with the swell index, Enslin water absorption and methylene blue index on every certificate.
Buyer specification · swell, Enslin, MB index
In a pellet plant bentonite is a cost twice over: you pay for the binder, then you pay again because every kilogram adds silica and alumina to the pellet. The goal is the strongest green ball at the lowest dosage.
There is no published standard for pelletising bentonite. Each plant writes its own, and the numbers that matter are swell index, Enslin water absorption, methylene blue index and fineness. We report all four for every lot.
Supplied in 25 kg bags in containers. Jumbo bags can be quoted for plants that handle them.
Where it is used
Iron ore pelletising bentonite specification
Pelletising grade
Buyer specification
| Property | Test method | Unit | Our typical | Guaranteed range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swell index | ASTM D5890 | mL/2 g | 25 | ≥ 23 |
| Water absorption, 2 h | Enslin-Neff | % | 610 | ≥ 550 |
| Methylene blue index | MB titration | mg/g | 360 | ≥ 320 |
| Passing 75 µm | Wet sieve | % | 93 | ≥ 90 |
| Moisture as shipped | Oven dry, 105 °C | % | 9.8 | ≤ 11.0 |
| pH, 2% suspension | pH meter | — | 9.9 | 9.4–10.6 |
Typical dosage
0.5–1.0% of dry concentrate in most plants, depending on concentrate fineness and moisture. Lower dosage means less gangue in the pellet, which is why we report Enslin and MB index rather than swell alone.
Packing and shipping
25 kg laminated PP bags, sealed. Floor-loaded at 1,040 bags, 26.0 MT net per 20ft container, with desiccants fitted. Jumbo bags on request.
MOQ one 20ft FCL · CFR or CIF · Mundra Port
Frequently asked questions
Why is bentonite used in iron ore pellets?
Bentonite binds the fine concentrate into green balls strong enough to survive handling and drying before induration. It controls moisture and improves wet and dry drop strength.
How much bentonite does a pellet plant use?
Typically 0.5 to 1.0% of the dry concentrate. The better the binder, the lower the dosage and the less silica and alumina end up in the pellet.
What is the Enslin water absorption test?
It measures how much water a bentonite sample absorbs over time. A higher figure usually means a more effective binder at a lower dosage.
Can we trial a sample first?
Yes. We send a 2.5 kg sample with its certificate of analysis for a pot-grate or balling-disc trial in your own laboratory.
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Test it against what you buy today.
A 2.5 kg sample with its certificate of analysis, sent by DHL or FedEx. Tell us your current supplier's figures and we will tell you honestly how ours compare.