Why is Geosynthetics Clay Liner Better?

25 Aug.,2025

 

A comprehensive comparison of Geosynthetic Clay Liners VS ...

Geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) and Geomembranes are two popular materials used in the containment of hazardous waste and liquids. Both materials have their own unique features, benefits and drawbacks that make them suitable for different applications.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

Geosynthetic clay liners are a composite material consisting of a layer of sodium bentonite clay sandwiched between two layers of geotextile fabric. The bentonite clay swells when it comes into contact with liquid, forming a barrier with low permeability. Geosynthetic clay liners are ideal for applications where high strength and puncture resistance is required, such as landfills, lagoons and ponds. The geotextile layers provide added strength and stability to the material, which is important in areas where heavy loads are expected.

Geomembranes, on the other hand, are made of synthetic materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). They are flexible, impermeable sheets that are used to prevent the migration of liquids and gases. Geomembranes are typically used in applications such as pond liners, canal liners, and landfill caps. They are ideal for applications where a smooth, exposed hydraulic barrier is required.

In terms of cost, Geosynthetic clay liners are generally more expensive than geomembranes. This is due to the cost of the bentonite clay, the geotextile layers and the added complexity of production. They are also a popular choice for applications where a liner is expected to be in service for an extended period of time and offer several advantages over other types of liners, such as geomembranes.

One of the primary advantages of geosynthetic clay liners is that they are often more robust and can withstand a greater amount of wear and tear. This is because they are made from a combination of high-grade clay (bentonite) and geosynthetic materials, which gives them greater strength and durability.

In addition to their strength, geosynthetic clay liners are also easier and cheaper to install than some other types of liners. Unlike geomembranes, which require welding to join sections together, geosynthetic clay liners can be simply overlapped together. This makes them a more cost-effective option for applications where a large area needs to be lined.

In conclusion, both Geosynthetic clay liners and geomembranes have their own unique features and benefits that make them suitable for different applications. When choosing between the two materials, it is important to consider the specific requirements of your project, including strength and puncture resistance, cost, and installation process. By carefully considering these factors, you can select the best liner material for your specific application and ensure that your project is a success.

To find the right liner material for your project, call our expert team on 287 484 or .

What is The Difference of Geosynthetic Clay Liner vs Geomembrane

Geosynthetic clay liner and geomembrane are geosynthetic materials used in a variety of engineering and environmental applications. Although they have some similar anti-seepage properties. But they have obvious differences in composition, performance and application.

BPM Geosynthetics is the leading geosynthetic clay liner and geomembrane manufacturer and supplier with 13+ years of Geosynthetic clay liner and HDPE  geomembrane manufacturing experinces. In this article, we will discuss the differences of geosynthetic clay liners vs geomembranes. By comparing the differences between the two, we can make a better choice between a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) and a geomembrane for your specific project.

1.What is the Geosynthetic Clay Liner?

Geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), also known as clay blanket, bentonite blankets, bentonite mats, prefabricated bentonite clay blankets and clay geosynthetic barriers, are factory-made hydraulic barriers consisting of a layer of bentonite or other composed of a very low permeability material supported by geotextiles and/or geomembranes that are mechanically fastened together by needling, stitching, or chemical adhesives. GCL liner is widely used in landfills to trap internal leakage. Its bentonite, consisting primarily (>70%) of montmorillonite or other expanded clays, is the preferred and most commonly used GCL. A typical GCL structure consists of two layers of geosynthetic material sewn together and surrounded by a layer of natural or processed Sodium bentonite. Typically, woven and/or nonwoven textile geosynthetics are used, however, polyethylene or geomembrane layers or geogrid geotextile materials have also been incorporated into the design or replaced the textile layer for added strength.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit PENNPLAN.

BPM geosynthetic clay liners are geosynthetic material specially used to prevent leakage in artificial lakes and waterscapes, landfills, underground garages, rooftop gardens, pools, oil depots and chemical storage yards. It is made of high-expansion Stable sodium bentonite is filled between a special composite geotextile and a non-woven fabric. The bentonite anti-seepage mat made by acupuncture can form many small fiber spaces. However, the bentonite particles cannot flow in one direction and will flow in one direction when exposed to water. A uniform and high-density gel-like waterproof layer is formed inside the pad to effectively prevent water leakage.

1.1 Geosynthetic Clay Liner Features

  • High density and strong self-retaining water performance;
  • Permanent waterproof performance;
  • Easy construction, short construction period, and does not require special inspection after construction. If waterproofing defects are found, it is easy to repair. GCL The waterproof blanket has the shortest construction period among existing waterproof materials;
  • It is not affected by temperature and will not break brittle in cold climate conditions;
  • Green and environmentally friendly, bentonite is a natural inorganic material, harmless to the human body and non-toxic to the environment. Special impact and good environmental protection.

2.What is A Geomembrane?

A geomembrane is an extremely low-permeability synthetic membrane liner or barrier that can be used with any geotechnical-related material to control fluid (liquid or gas) migration in man-made projects, structures or systems. Geomembranes are made from relatively thin, continuous polymer sheets, but they can also be made by impregnating geotextiles with asphalt, elastomers or polymer sprays, or as multi-layer asphalt geocomposites. Continuous polymer sheet geomembranes are by far the most common.

BPM Geosynthetics geomembrane is a waterproof barrier material produced from high-density polyethylene resin. The full name is “high-density polyethylene film”, which has excellent environmental stress cracking resistance, low temperature resistance, aging resistance, corrosion resistance, a large operating temperature range (-60–+60) and a long service life. It is widely used in domestic waste landfill anti-seepage, solid waste landfill anti-seepage, sewage treatment plant anti-seepage, artificial lake anti-seepage, tailings treatment and other anti-seepage projects.

3 What is the Difference of Geosynthetic Clay Liner VS Geomembrane?

3.1 Different Composition of f Geosynthetic Clay Liner VS Geomembrane

Geosynthetic Clay Liner consists of a layer of bentonite encapsulated between two geotextiles or geocomposites. Bentonite is a natural clay with excellent swelling properties that provides high levels of water conductivity and chemical resistance.

Geomembranes are synthetic materials made from flexible polymer sheets. They are typically made from materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). BPM Geosynthetics geomembranes offer excellent impermeability and chemical resistance.

3.2 Different Functions of Geosynthetic Clay Liner VS Geomembrane

3.2.1 Main Functions of Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL)

GCL waterproof blanket, Sodium Bentonite Geosynthetic Clay Line, is a new type of waterproof material. It is made of natural sodium bentonite, wrapped with two layers of geotextile, and reinforced with needle punching. Its anti-leakage mechanism is: the sodium-based particle bentonite selected for the bentonite waterproof blanket can expand more than 24 times when exposed to water, forming a uniform colloid system with high viscosity and low filter loss. Under the restriction of two layers of geotextile , causing the bentonite to expand from disorder to order. The result of continuous water absorption and expansion is to make the bentonite layer itself dense, thus having a waterproof effect. In order to facilitate construction and transportation, bentonite is locked between two layers of geosynthetic materials to protect and reinforce, giving the GCL waterproof blanket a certain overall tensile and puncture strength. GCL is primarily used as a barrier to prevent fluid migration in applications such as landfill covers, safety basins, and other hydraulic barriers. The bentonite in GCL swells on contact with water, creating a low-permeability barrier.

3.2.2 Main Geomembrane Functions

HDPE Geomembrane uses the impermeability of plastic films to block leakage channels in earth dams. It uses its large tensile strength and elongation to withstand water pressure and adapt to dam deformation. It aims to provide a highly impermeable barrier to prevent fluids ( including liquids and gases) migration. They are commonly used in applications such as landfill liners, ponds, reservoirs, mining facilities and other containment systems.

3.3 Permeability Properties

Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) GCLs exhibit relatively low permeability due to the swelling properties of bentonite clay. The bentonite clay particles create a tortuous path for fluid flow, reducing hydraulic conductivity.

HDPE Geomembranes have very low permeability, providing an excellent barrier against fluid migration. They are engineered to have consistent and predictable permeability characteristics.

3.4 Installation Processes

3.4.1 Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) Installation Process

Geosynthetic clay liner is typically installed by unrolling them onto the prepared subgrade. The seams between adjacent GCL panels are often overlapped and mechanically or chemically bonded.

3.4.2 Geomembrane Installation Process

Geomembranes are installed by unrolling the sheets over the prepared subgrade and then seaming them together using various techniques such as heat welding, adhesive bonding, or fusion.

For more Geosynthetics Clay Linerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.