Bentofix® consists of an evenly distributed layer of high-swelling sodium bentonite powder encapsulated between two geotextile components that act as the sealing element. The main advantage of the powder bentonite is its uniform distribution and its immediate sealing performance. When hydrated and permeated under confinement with fresh water, the bentonite layer swells and forms a gel-like low permeable barrier. Over a range of confining stresses, Bentofix® GCLs provide an excellent hydraulic performance even under high hydraulic gradient conditions.

Reinforced concrete structures are porous by nature and are susceptible to cracking. For a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) to function correctly, it is essential that the sodium bentonite barrier has direct contact with the reinforced concrete element it is protecting. This prevents fluid flow between the element surface and the sealing system itself. Bentofix® BFG is manufactured such that the nonwoven geotextile is impregnated with an additional layer of sodium bentonite over its entire surface area. The product is installed with the nonwoven geotextile abutting the concrete element. Once hydrated, the gel-like consistency of the hydrated sodium bentonite impregnated into the outer surface of the nonwoven geotextile swells into small cracks or imperfections and moulds to the profile of the reinforced concrete element, sealing against ingress of water. Also, the sodium bentonite impregnated nonwoven ensures that all overlaps of the Bentofix® BFG are sealed, even if panels are cut to size or trimmed to fit around protrusions.