fullers earth

views updated May 08 2018

fuller's earth
1. A clay consisting mainly of expanding smectites such as montmorillonite used industrially for its absorptive properties.

2. Capitalized, Fuller's Earth is the stratigraphic name of a Jurassic clay formation outcropping in southern Britain.

fullers earth

views updated Jun 11 2018

fuller's earth
1. A clay consisting mainly of expanding clay minerals such as montmorillonite, which is used industrially for its absorptive properties.

2. Capitalized, Fuller's Earth is the stratigraphic name of a Jurassic clay formation outcropping in southern Britain.

fullers earth

views updated Jun 27 2018

fuller's earth Clay-like substance containing over 50% silica. Once used for fulling (removing oil and grease from wool), it is now used to bleach petroleum and refine vegetable oils.

fullers earth

views updated May 29 2018

ful·ler's earth • n. a type of clay used in fulling cloth and as an adsorbent.

fullers earth

views updated Jun 08 2018

fuller's earth An adsorbent clay, calcium montmorillonite, or bentonite; adsorbs both by physical means and by ion exchange. Used to bleach oils, clarify liquids, and absorb grease.