Volclay^® Soil Sealants

Volclay soil sealants are granular sodium bentonite products manufactured by CETCO that provide economical low permeability soil liners for a wide variety of containment applications.

Function

When Volclay is mixed with soil and hydrated, the Volclay expands to fifteen times its volume forming a mechanical bond with surrounding soils and filling the voids between the soil particles. This creates a barrier that effectively stops further seepage through the soil, and in addition decreases the permeability of soil several orders of magnitude. Bentonite can withstand dessication, hydration and freeze-thaw cycling without losing its sealing ability.

Applications

Volclay soil sealants can be utilized for a number of different applications including reservoirs, secondary containment, agricultural waste containment, ponds, slurry trenching, or wastewater treatment lagoons just to name a few. Volclay can be used in fresh water lakes or contaminated wastewater lagoons. The Volclay soil mixture should be protected by a cover layer where there is erosion potential from run-off, inlet flow, aerators or other factors.

Features and Benefits

• High swelling capacity – only a small percentage of Volclay is needed reducing the required applications rate.
• Product variety – allows for several different methods of application, allowing customers a more diverse choice of use.
• Access to the largest bentonite reserves in the world – CETCO is able to provide the most consistent and highest quality soil sealants available.
• Offering treated bentonites that perform well in environments with contaminated waters that contain dissolved salt, acid or alkali – gives a solution to these typical conditions that decrease untreated bentonites swelling and sealing capabilities.
• Three processing locations across the United States – shipping costs are reduced significantly.

Associated Documents

• Soil Sealants General Literature