1. Plural of bentonite; absorbent clay minerals formed from volcanic ash, used in drilling fluids, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
Usage: technical; usually used in plural form when referring to multiple samples or types

Examples

• Bentonites are commonly used in oil and gas drilling operations to stabilize boreholes.
• The cosmetics industry relies on bentonites for their absorbent and thickening properties.
• Different bentonites have varying levels of swelling capacity depending on their mineral composition.
• Bentonites are mined from deposits of altered volcanic ash around the world.
• The laboratory tested several bentonites to determine which was most suitable for the application.