200 mesh Western Bentonite Available by the pound or in full bag quantities for best pricing. The full bag from the mine is a 50# bag; brown bag, blue text Volclay, Bentonite
Western Bentonite (sodium bentonite) is most frequently used by potters and is the only type Bracker's carries. Southern Bentonite (calcium bentonite) is not available at Bracker's, but can be found at some metal casting foundry suppliers.
Bentonite is a very fine material that originates from the decomposition of volcanic ash. It is used in clay, slip, and glaze recipes to increase plasticity and suspend materials in slurries. It will also work as a binder and strengthen the clay body in the green and dry stages. In casting slip, bentonite is imperative to getting the slip to dry and pull away from the plaster walls of the mold without tearing.
Bentonite should be mixed with water outside of the mixture and then added in to ensure proper combination.
