Investigation on the Rajula Bentonite received from Ambica Mine Chem. Industries Nari Road , Bhavnagar.

A sample of bentonite referred as “Rajula Bentonite” was supplied by Ambica Mine Chem., Industries for investigating its suitability as a binder for foundry from north of Rajula town, Amreh District, Gujarat. The deposit occurs in a rivulate bed. The sample received was unprocessed and was in a lumpy form and had a light yellow colour. The amount of the sample required for different tests (about 5000 gms) was first crushed in a Jaw Crusher and was subsequently powdered in a ball mill and was finally passed through a 100 mesh sieve of the U.S. Sieve series. The tests conducted on this bentonite comprised of moisture content, chemical analysis, gel strength, dry fineness, wet fineness, pH-value, Petrological examination, Na/Ca ratio using flame photometer, total base exchange capacity, differential thermal analysis, sintering range and bonding characteristics.