Attapulgite is Avery important gel-forming clay. Compared other clays, it gives stable suspensions of high viscosity at relatively low concentrations. During dispersion disassociation of the bundles of needle-like crystals occurs. Thus a random lattice is formed that entraps liquid to increase the system’s viscosity. Attapulgite can thicken a large variety of liquids, including fresh and salt water. Attapulgite suspensions are thyrotrophic and non-Newtonian at all concentrations. A rapid increase in fluidity is apparent as the shear stress increase. Without sufficient shear force, attapulgite does not disperse well. Therefore, high shear mixers are needed to achieve optimum dispersion.