Based on the analysis of the chemical composition,X-ray diffraction(XRD),infrared spectroscopy(IR),differential thermal analysis(DTA) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM),the characteristics of Handan bentonite were studied.The results show that the Handan bentonite is a typical Ca-bentonite,and its montmorillonite content is around 50%.Na-bentonite is successfully prepared by manual modification,and its characteristics is same with natural sodium bentonite