Product Details
                    
                                            
                                            
                            
                                Category
                            
                            
                                Adsorbents; Emulsifiers                            
                         
                                            
                            
                                Molecular Formula
                            
                            
                                (Ca0.5Na)0.3(Mg,Fe2+)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2·4H2O                            
                         
                                            
                                            
                            
                                Grade
                            
                            
                                Pharmceutical Excipients                            
                         
                                            
                            
                                Description
                            
                            
                                Saponite is a naturally occurring 2:1 phyllosilicate clay of the smectite (montmorillonite) group. It is a magnesium-rich hydrated aluminum silicate and is present as a component of some commercial magnesium aluminum silicate clays. It occurs in soft, amorphous masses in the cavities of certain rocks. Saponite occurs as a white to off-white, dull powder composed of fine-grained crystals of colloidal size. The material is greasy or soapy to the touch and swells on the addition of water.                            
                         
                                            
                                            
                                            
                            
                                Synonyms
                            
                            
                                Afrodit; aluminum-saponite; auxite; cathkinite; ferroan saponite; griffithite; licianite; lucianite; piotine; zebedassite.                            
                         
                                            
                            
                                Stability and Storage Conditions
                            
                            
                                Saponite is a stable material and should be stored in a cool, dry place.                            
                         
                                            
                            
                                Applications
                            
                            
                                Saponite is a colloidal material present in various naturally occurring clays such as magnesium aluminum silicates and is therefore suitable for use in pharmaceutical formulation applications as an adsorbent, viscosity-increasing agent, suspending agent,or as an oil-in-water emulsifying agent. Saponite, as a component of magnesium aluminium silicates, is useful as a formulation component in semisolid cosmetic and health care products.                            
                         
                                            
                            
                                Safety
                            
                            
                                Saponite is a natural clay mineral that is not acutely toxic; therefore, no toxicity values have been established. However, it may contain small amounts of crystalline silica in the form of quartz. Chronic exposure to crystalline silica can have adverse effects on the respiratory system.                            
                         
                                            
                            
                                Incompatibilities
                            
                            
                                May generate heat in contact with hydrofluoric acid.