Organoclays are manufactured by modifying bentonite with quaternary amines, a type of surfactant that contains a nitrogen ion. The nitrogen end of the quaternary amine, the hydrophilic end, is positively charged, and ion exchanges onto the clay platelet for sodium or calcium. The amines used are of the long chain type with 12-18 carbon atoms. After some 30 per cent of the clay surface is coated with these amines it becomes hydrophobic and, with certain amines, organophilic.

The main component of organoclay is bentonite, a chemically altered volcanic ash that consists primarily of the clay mineral montmorillonite. The bentonite in its natural state can absorb up to seven times its weight in water, after treatment can absorb only 5 to 10 per cent of its weight in water, but 40 to 70 per cent in oil, grease, and other sparingly-soluble, hydrophobic chlorinated hydrocarbons.Organoclays are manufactured by modifying bentonite with quaternary amines, a type of surfactant that contains a nitrogen ion. The nitrogen end of the quaternary amine, the hydrophilic end, is positively charged, and ion exchanges onto the clay platelet for sodium or calcium. The amines used are of the long chain type with 12-18 carbon atoms. After some 30 per cent of the clay surface is coated with these amines it becomes hydrophobic and, with certain amines, organophilic.

The main component of organoclay is bentonite, a chemically altered volcanic ash that consists primarily of the clay mineral montmorillonite. The bentonite in its natural state can absorb up to seven times its weight in water, after treatment can absorb only 5 to 10 per cent of its weight in water, but 40 to 70 per cent in oil, grease, and other sparingly-soluble, hydrophobic chlorinated hydrocarbons.