7. e.
^odMacA
STATE OF ILLINOIS
DWIGHT H. GREEX. Governor
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION
FRANK G. THOMPSON, Director
DIVISION OF
THE
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
M. M. LEIGHTON. Chief
URBANA
REPORT OF INVESTIGATIONS— NO.
103
SOME CLAY-WATER PROPERTIES OF CERTAIN
CLAY MINERALS
R. E.
GRIM AND
F. L.
CUTHBERT
Reprinted from The Journal of the American Ceramic Society,
Vol. 28, No. 3, 1945
PRINTED BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
URBANA, ILLINOIS
1945
ORGANIZATION
STATE OF ILLINOIS
HON. DWIGHT
H.
GREEN,
Governor
DEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATION
HON. FRANK
G.
THOMPSON,
Director
BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
HON. FRANK
G. THOMPSON, Chairman
BOWEN, Ph.D., D.Sc, LL.D.,
ROGER ADAMS. Ph.D., D.Sc, Chemistry
LOUIS R. HOWSON, C.E., Engineering
NORMAN
L.
WILLIAM TRELEASE,
Geology
D.Sc, LL.D., Biology
EZRA JACOB KRAUS, Ph.D.,
ARTHUR CUTTS WILLIARD,
D.Sc, Forestry
D.Engr., LL.D.
President of the University of Illinois
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION
M. M. LEIGHTON,
Chief
* Deceased.
(79826— 2M— 3-45)
AND TECHNICAL STAFF OF THE
SCIENTIFIC
STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DIVISION
100 Natural Resources Building, Urbana
M. M. LEIGHTON, Ph.D., Chief
Enid Townley, M.S., Assistant to the Chief
Velda a. Millard, Junior Asst. to the Chief
Helen
E.
McMorris,
Effie Hetishee,
GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Secretary to the Chief
B.S., Geological Assistant
Stratigraphy
and Paleontology
Marvin Weller, Ph.D.,
Chalmer L. Cooper, M.S.,
J.
Coal
G. H. Cady, Ph.D., Senior Geologist and Head
L. C. McCabe, Ph.D., Geologist (on leave)
R. J. Helfinstine, M.S., Meek. Engineer
Charles C. Boley, M.S., Assoc. Mining Eng.
Heinz A. Lo\venst.\m, Ph.D., Assoc. Geologist
Bryan P.\rks, M.S., Asst. Geologist
Earle F. Taylor, M.S., Asst. Geologist
Geologist
and Head
Assoc. Geologist
Petrography
Ralph
E. Grim, Ph.D., Petrographer
Richards A. Rowland, Ph.D.,
(on leave)
William A.
White,
Asst. Petrographer
B.S., Research Assistant
.
(on leave)
R.-VLPH F. Strete, A.m., Asst. Geologist
M. W. PuLLEN, Jr., M.S., Asst. Geologist
Robert M. Kosanke, M.A., Asst. Geologist
Robert W. Ellingwood, B.S., Asst. Geologist
George M. Wilson, M.S., Asst. Geologist
Arnold Eddings, B.A., Research Assistant
(on leave)
Henry L. Smith, A.B., Asst. Geologist
Raymond Siever, B.S., Research Assistant (on leave)
John A. Harrison, B.S., Research Assistant
(on leave)
Mary E. Barnes, B.S., Research Assistant
Margaret Parker, B.S., Research Assistant
Elizabeth Lohmann, B.F.A., Technical Assistant
Physics
R.
PiERSOL, Ph.D., Physicist
B.S., Mech. Engineer
J.
Greenwood,
B. J.
GEOCHEMISTRY
Frank H. Reed, Ph.D., Chief Chemist
H. W. Jackman, M.S.E., Chemical Engineer
P. W. Henline, M.S., Assoc. Chemical Engineer
James C. McCullough, Research Associate
James H. Hanes, B.S., Research Assistant (on leave)
Leroy S. Miller, B.S., Research Assistant
Elizabeth Ross Mills, M.S., Research Assistant
Coal
Industrial Minerals
E. Lamar, B.S., Geologist and Head
H. B. Willman, Ph.D., Geologist
Robert M. Grog.\n, Ph.D., Assoc. Geologist
Robert T. Anderson, M.A., Asst. Physicist
Robert R. Reynolds, M.S., Asst. Geologist
Margaret C. Godwin, A.B., Asst. Geologist
G. R. YoHE, Ph.D., Chemist
S. Levine, B.S., Research Assistant
Herman
J.
Industrial Minerals
J. S.
Machin, Ph.D., Chemist and Head
L. Hanna, A.m., Asst. Chemist
Delbert
Fluorspar
Oil
and Gas
A. H. Bell, Ph.D., Geologist and Head
A. Bays, Ph.D., Geologist and Engineer
Frederick Squires, B.S., Petroleum Engineer
Stewart Folk, M.S., Assoc. Geologist (on leave)
Ernest P. DuBois, Ph.D., Assoc. Geologist
David H. Swann, Ph.D., Assoc. Geologist
Virginia Kline, Ph.D., Assoc. Geologist
Paul G. Luckhardt, M.S., Asst. Geologist
G. C. Finger, Ph.D., Chemist
F. Williams, B.Engr., Research Assistant
Oren
Carl
(on leave)
Wayne F. Meents, Asst. Geologist
James S. Yolton, M.S., Asst. Geologist
Robert X. M. Urash, B.S., Research Assistant
Margaret Sands, B.S., Research Assistant
X-ray and Spectrography
W. F. Bradley, Ph.D., Chemist
Analytical
O. W. Rees, Ph.D., Chemist and Head
McViCKER, B.S., Chemist
How.\rd S. Clark, A.B., Assoc. Chemist
William F. W.\gner, M.S., Asst. Chemist
L. D.
Cameron
Herbert
D. Lewis, B.A., Asst. Chemist
X. H.\zelkorn, B.S., Research Assistant
T. Abel, B.A., Research Assistant
Melvin a. Rebenstorf, B.S., Research Assistant
Marian C. Stoffel. B.S., Research Assistant
Jean Lois Rosselot, A.B., Research Assistant
William
Areal and Engineering Geology
George E. Ekblaw, Ph.D., Geologist and Head
Richard F. Fisher, M.S., Asst. Geologist
Subsurface Geology
L. E. Workman, M.S., Geologist and Head
Carl A. Bays, Ph.D., Geologist and Engineer
Robert R. Storm, A.B., Assoc. Geologist
Arnold C. Mason, B.S., Assoc. Geologist
(on leave)
Leland Horberg, Ph.D., Assoc. Geologist
Frank E. Tippie, B.S., ^55/. Geologist
Merlyn B. Buhle, M.S., Asst. Geologist
Paul Herbert, Jr., B.S., Asst. Geologist
Charles G. Johnson, A.B., Asst. Geologist
C.
(on leave)
MINERAL ECONOMICS
W. H. VosKUiL, Ph.D., Mineral Economist
Douglas F. Stevens, M.E., Research Associate
Ethel M. King, Research Assistant
PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDS
George E. Ekblaw, Ph.D., Geologic Editor
Chalmer L. Cooper, M.S., Geologic Editor
Dorothy E. Rose, B.S., Technical Editor
Meredith M. Calkins, Geologic Draftsman
Beulah Featherstone, B.F.A., Asst. Geologic
Margaret Castle, Asst. Geologic Draftsman
Marvin P. Meyer, B.S., Asst. Geologist
Robert X. M. Urash, B.S., Research Assistant
Draftsman
Willis L. Busch, Principal Technical Assistant
Portia Allyn Smith, Technical Files Clerk
Elizabeth Pretzer, A.B., Research Assistant
E. Roth, B.S., Research Assistant
Alicia Woodall, Technical Assistant
Leslie D. Vaughan, Asst. Photographer
Ruth
Consultants: Ceramics, CuLLEN W. Parmelee, ^LS., D.Sc, and R.a.lph K. Hursh, B.S., University of Hlinois
Mechanical Engineering, Seichi Konzo, M.S., University of Hlinois
Topographic Mapping in Cooperation with the United States Geological Survey.
is a Contribution of the Petrography Division.
This report
March
1,
1945
Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive
in
2012
University of
witii
Illinois
funding from
Urbana-Champaign
http://archive.org/details/someclaywaterpro103grim
SOME CLAY-WATER PROPERTIES OF CERTAIN
CLAY MINERALS
BY
R, E. GrLM and F. L, CuTHBERrf
Abstract
Computed
values are given for the thickness of the water fihii adsorbed on the surfaces
of the various clay minerals when clays composed of such minerals develop specific plastic
characteristics.
Based on such values, the following concept of clay-water relationships
The dominant factor determining the plastic properties of clays is the rigidit>is presented:
of the water held on the surfaces of the clay minerals, and the point of beginning of the
transition of completely rigid water to liquid water is marked by great changes in such propEach type oi clay mineral seems to have a characteristic ability to stabilize water,
perties.
and the exchangeable ions also exert an influence. The reaction between water and kaolinite
or halloysite may require considerable time so that there is frequently a time lag atter mixing
clays composed of such minerals before the plastic properties are fully developed.
Applications of the foregoing concept in the fields of geology, ceramics, and soil mechanics
are suggested.
Introduction
I.
Thickness of Water with a DefConfiguration Adsorbed on
Basal Plane Surfaces of
montmorillonite
II.
inite
In the course of an investigation of the
constitution and bonding and related properties of clays for metallurgical use
under
the sponsorship of the Illinois State Geological
Survey, the Department of Mechanical
Engineering of the University of Illinois,
and the Illinois Clay Products Company,
fundamental study was
the bonding characteristics (as
molding sands) of types of clay
a
Illinois,
Joliet,
made
shown
of
based
on
in
clay-mineral
their
composition.
In addition to information regarding the
bonding properties of clays, the study has
provided some data on general clay-water
relationships that seem to have broad applications in industry, engineering, and science.
It is the purpose of this paper to present
these findings
When
shown
centage of
Urbana,
total
is
In such
shown
in per-
weight of the sand-clay
The
rillonite clay.
data on which these cla\
-
mineral identifications are based are being
published elsewhere.^
It
obvious from
is
maximum strength of
mixture or the maximum bond-
the curves that the
the sand-clay
ing power of the clay
mixture when there
is
developed for each
and narrowly limited amount of tempering water
bond-
is
a precise
present.
Table
I
shows the thickness
of the
water
on each unit Hake of montmorillonite when
respectively, petrographer, Illinois
State Geological Survey, and special research associate in
petrography and mechanical engineering. University of
are,
there
is
just
enough water
to
produce the
Illinois.
Grim and
maximum
Cuthbert, "Bonding Action of
Clays: I, Clays in Green Molding Sands," Illinois Geol.
Survey Repl. Invest., Xo. 102 (in press); Univ. of Illinois
Eng. Expl. Sta. Bull., Xo. 356 (in press); "II, Clays in
Dry Molding Sands," (manuscript in preparation).
iR. E.
obtained.
are
Figure 1, (J) and (B), shows a
group of curves for a series of mixtures with
varying amounts (J) of sodium-montmorillonite clay and (BJ of calcium-montmo-
ing clays and molding sands are being pub-
Illinois,
1
mixture.
lished elsewhere.^
tThe authors
Fig.
in
curves, the tempering water
detailed re-
sults of the study as they pertain to
deter-
tempering water, results similar to those
water relationship together with the experimental data that support them and a discus-
The
is
of sand-clay
mixtures that contain various amounts of
regarding the general clay-
sion of their application.
the compression strength
mined for rammed specimens
F. L.
green strength shown in Fig.
These computations are based on the
sumption that
[5]
all
basal
1.
as-
plane surfaces of
SOME CLAY -WATER PROPERTIES
^ ^S
^
2
J "-s
\
-^
«-,
5
X
o
y
?
\
'N
/
/
\
\
\
1
\
\
/^
'
§
s,
s
^
\
\
\
k
\
\
\\
Pt R
\,
V
\
^
Cf NT
C
.«
^3
\
,^
6
"s
"^^
•^
,.^ .^
^^
A
3
b
'
\
N
\,
/ ^^
S
\
y
\
\
1
a
\
\
/ \X \
/
\
1
\ V^
/*
\\
\
N\
\
^
,^,r
^
—
[A).
Relation of compression strength to temwater tor sand-clay mixtures containing various
amounts of sodium-montmorillonite clav.
Fig.
pering
1
rN ^\
/->
y
\
/
/
\
^
/
-
rK
s
\
\
\,
/"
/
1
\
/ ^
^
—
\
\\
\N
\V
\
\
-10
^V
s
PEB
«NT
\
^
N."
,'S
CtA.
\
\
\
i
\
'•
\
\,
Ns
\^
\
I
\
1
\,
I
/
\
\
-i
/
f\
\
<?,
?
^"^
'
^.
\
B
(R).
Relation of compression strength to temwater for sand-clay mixtures containing various
amounts ot calcium-montmorillonite clav.
Fig.
pering
1
OF CERTAIN CLAY MINERALS
~
...
1
^
\ N
N
-N
\,
\
\
,
N
\^
\
\
\V
K
\
N
\
V-
[^
\
\
X
^^ ^
^
^.s
,
Bt R CE
/^
r^
1
V[^
^
^
^
^
\
\
^
\
\
\
\
ss
\
\
\
Xs
\
^
N
^
A
-^
—
Relation of bulk density to tempering water
mixtures containing various amounts of sodiummontmorillonite clav.
Fig. 2 (J).
for sand-clay
1
:
!
:
MINI
i
1
I
-.4-
\
\
1
^^
..it
^
N
\
.
i >^ ^
-^
i
Kl V \
\ vX.v.'
1
^
i
X-
^^^
J
1
!
yi
_"_,
1
1
1
—
1
1
1
i
Nv
1
'
^l
1
>^
Z M ^
;>'
ly
^4
:X
l^!
/I
./I
\>< \ M
\.^\^^>^ \>\\
I
^.
-i
'
X
i
1
'
1
1
;y
tii
M
i
i
'
M
1
1
u
^^1
1
t^M
1
1
i
i
M
1
i
!•
1
i
1
!Bi
i
'
i
1
1
1
1
1
Relation of bulk density to tempering water
mixtures containing various amounts of calciummontmorillonite clav.
Fig. 2 (5).
for sand-clay
SOME CLAY-WATER PROPERTIES
Table I. Water-Film Thickness per Unit Celi
OF MONTMORILLONITE AT MaXIMUM GrEEN COMPRESSION Strength
should extend to a limited distance from the
montmorillonite surface.
The
Calcium-montmorillonite
Sodium-montmorillonite clay
concept
clay
has
developed
been
maximum
where^ that
else-
green compression
strength in sand-clay-water mixtures develWater
Water-
Clay in
mixture
Dry
(110°C.)
(%)
Water
wt. of
clay
(cc.)*
film
thickness in
Dry
(110°C.)
molecu-
wt. of
clay
lar
(gm.)*
(gm.)*
Water
(cc.)*
molecular
layers t
layers t
33
37
111
6
7
129
147
156
184
222
277
8
9
10
12
15
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
42
48
52
66
83
film
thickness in
when
ops
thickness
be
and
true
molding-sand
45
4
147
54
4
184
222
277
64
77
3
3
94
3+
imum
+
+
montmorillonite are available to
the penetration of water and the develop-
water
valid since
is
it
This assumption
well known that mont-
layers.
is
morillonite tends to break
ence of water to unit
down
in the pres-
green compression strength
ure of the
maximum amount
The computations show
maximum bonding
of
is
max-
a meas-
water that
can be held with the water molecules
about
perfect
retains
the striking re-
amount
strength
of clay,
developed
is
in
The sodium
orientation.
about
completely
oriented water molecules to a thickness of
3
molecules
(about 9 a.u.) on each basal
surface
and calcium montmorillonite
4 molecules (about 12 a.u.)
unit
to a thickness of
on each basal unit surface.
If
the bulk density
rammed
values
mold and
in a
are
is
mixture
plotted
if
determined for a
that
been
has
such bulk density
against
variations
in
amount of tempering water, curves such as
those shown in Fig. 2, (A) and (B), will
be obtained.
These figures show that for
each proportion of sand and clay there
cell size.
sult that, regardless of the
the
If this
characteristics
evidence, then the tempering water of
sand-clay-water
of
degree
of rigidity for a given clay content.
montmorillonite
ment
maximum
and
provide a considerable body of supporting
111
*These values are based on a 2000-gm. mixture;
dry weight (110°C.) of clay is less than the percentage value because of water loss trom room
temperature to 110°C.
fA single layer of water one molecule thick per
unit cell of montmorillonite is equal to 0.1 gm. ot
water per gm. of clay if it is assumed that the water
has the loose packing required by the configuration
of Hendricks and Jefferson (footnote 2{a)).
units of
component has the
the clay-water
maximum
is
a
and narrowly limited, amount of
water wherein minimum bulk density is
precise,
developed.
Minimum
bulk density devel-
sodium-montmorillonite clay when
ops at that moisture content which gives the
enough water to coat each basal
surface with a water layer three molecules
mixture the greatest resistance to packing
during the ramming in a mold.^
in
the
there
is
just
Table
thick.
Recently
it
has been rather well estab-
lished that the water^ held on the basal surfaces of flakes of montmorillonite
of
water molecules that tend
in a definite pattern.
to be
The water
fore, in a rigid condition rather
The
is
made up
arranged
is,
than
therefluid.
configuration of the water molecules
is
determined largely by the arrangement of
oxygen atoms in the surface la3Trs of the
montmorillonite,
and,
as
a
consequence.
II
gives
computed values
the
of
thickness of the layer of water on each unit
flake of
montmorillonite when there
enough water
to
ance to packing, that
imum
is
permit the greatest
is,
at the point of
Again
just
resist-
min-
assumed
that each basal plane surface of montmorillonite is available to water penetration. T1ie
computation shows that for the sodium
bulk density.
montmorillonite
when water
is
this
it
is
condition
is
reached
present equal to a layer 4
molecules thick (about 12 a.u.) and for the
S. B. Hendricks and M. E. Jefferson, "Structures
Kaolin and Talc-PyrophylHte Hydrates and Their
Bearing on Water Sorption of Clays," Amer. Mineraloeisl,
23 [12] 863-75 (1938); Ceram. Abs., 22 [4] 113 (1939).
"
(b) R. E. Grim, "Modern Concepts of Clay Materials
Jour. Geol. 50 [3] 225-75 (1942); ///. Geol. Survey Kept.
Inves. No. 80 (1942); Ceram. Abs., 21 18J 177 (1942).
2(a)
of
calcium
montmorillonite
when
water
is
present equal to a layer 5 molecules thick
(about 15 a.u.).
of these
In other words, for each
two montmorillonite
clays an extra
OF CERTAiy CLAY MIX ERA LS
II.
Water-Film Thickness per Unit
Cell of Montmorillonite at Minimum Bulk.
Density
'I'able
sand studies suggest that the reverse
The
water when calcium
pletely rigid
Calcium-montmorillonite
Sodium-montmorillonite clay
clay
exchangeable base
but
Clay
in
Dry
(llO'C.)
(%)
Water
Water-
wt. of
clay
film
thickness in
Water
(cc.)*
Dry
(110°C.)
(cc.)*
clay
(gm.)*
lar
thickness in
Water
wt. of
molecu-
(gm.)*
film
molecular
layers
layers
6
Ill
8
147
184
52
63
76
277
103
10
12
15
is
4
147
184
4—
222
277
57
71
is
the chief
not definitely known,
is
probably related to the fact that
the calcium ion hydrates whereas the
ion does
The
not.-*^
sodium
exchangeable ions are
held close to or at the surface of the montmorillonite flakes, and the hydration of the
calcium
HI
4+
4+
it
true.
is
reason for the thicker coating of com-
might well be an additional
ion
5
5—
5—
4+
86
106
119
tending to develop configuration
force
5
in
the water molecules (the
the orientation of
main force being
the oxygen atoms in the
basal surface of the montmorillonite itself).
Other
*Values based on 2000-gm. mixture.
hold
molecular water layer above those that are
maximum rigidity is necessary to
maximum resistance to packing.
seems logical that maximum resistance
-"^'
factors, such as the force tending to
montmorillonite
the
together,
flakes
probably largely control the total thick-
held with
ness of water that can develop with any defi-
develop
nite configuration, so
It
to
when
packing would prevail not
the clay
water coating of the quartz grains
pletely
rigid
adherence
but
grains, such as
of
when
between
It
seems
a
is
coatings
would occur
some incompletely
water.
there
the
is
com-
certain
of
rigid (but not liquid)
likely, therefore,
that the
addition of a single layer of water above
that
amount held completely
rigid provides
which the water molecules are not
That is, beyond a layer
3 water molecules thick for sodium montmorillonite, and 4 water molecules thick
water
present, the
in
perfectly oriented.
is
the
water molecules
reduced but not destroyed completely.
It
seems clear that the perfection of orientation
of
the
molecules
There
is
no
basis for
posed of other
cla}'
dividual layer.
5,
As shown
clays, representing the relation of
water
to green
minimum bulk
shape
as
From
clays.
density, have the
those
this fact
for
tempering
same gen-
montmorillonite
and other considera-
bonding properties of these clays
(for example air-set strength, see section
tions of the
than abruptly for thicknesses greater than
cules develops on
3 or 4 molecules, respectively.
faces of these clay minerals.
seems certain that water
in
a definite configuration oi the
which
mole-
the available plane sur-
data indicate that the thickness of
completely rigid water
is
greater
when
cal-
cium rather than sodium is the exchangeable
base.
This does not mean that the total
thickness of water that can be held with any
degree of orientation of the water molecules
greater for calcium than for sodium.
In
the well-known thixotropic properties
water suspensions of sodium-montmorillonite clays and other data from molding
fact,
and
illite
compression strength and to
montmorillonites decreases gradually rather
of
com-
in Figs. 3, 4,
curves for halloysite, kaolinite, and
it
is
thick-
does not penetrate readily between each in-
is
The
of
be
minerals because water
IV),
by these
should
computing the
there
of the water molecules adsorbed
ions are
ness of the adsorbed water film in clays
for calcium montmorillonite, the perfection
the orientation of
does not follow from
thickest.
eral
of
it
when calcium
water layer with any degree
configuration
the
in the presence
reasoning that,
this
III.
Character of Absorbed Water
Relation to Plastic Properties
If the thickness of the
ix
water held by the
clay minerals in a completely' rigid condition
is
the important factor controlling the bond38.
B. Hendricks, R. A. Xelson, and L. T. Alexander,
of the Clay Mineral MontmorilSaturated with Various Cations,'" Jour. Amer.
Soc, 62 [6] 1457-64 (1940); Ceram. Abs., 19 [llj
"Hydration Mechanism
lonite
Chem
265 (1940J.
SOME CLAY-WATER PROPERTIES
10
~
1
^
r^ ^ ^
'/
I
16
^
/ 7\
r\
//
/\
\i
\
\
\N
\
r\
\
\ \
^
\
-- ^ \
^
\
/
'^
1
'^
V
i
\,o
PER CENT Cl*T
U
^,
1
\
\\
/
\
\ LI
\>
s
\
\
\i
\
s
\
s
\
\
\
\
\
\
/-
J ^,
/l\
^
\
\
/
\
\
\
/
/
\/ A
\ <
^e
s
\
A
^4
/y
.
TEMP6BINC
w*T£B
—
Sand-clay mixtures containing halloysite
Fig. 3 {A).
clay showing relation of compression strength to tempering
r
^^,
\
\
-:r"
5
\
\
\
t^^'
"!
\W
\
\
\
\
45
y
\
/
^
\
/
X
V
/
/
r
\
/
/
\
\,
\
/
/
\K>
B
_
1
Fig. 3 {B).
''•'
/
J
\
\
«- ""'
/
,.
\\
— Sand-clay
mixtures containing halloysite clay
to bulk density.
showing relation of tempering water
OF CERTAIN CLAY MINERALS
11
'
/"
/
N.
//
// /
/
A
y. ^
——
/
>
^
\N
/
y y\ N \
N ^.
N
\N K
N
N
\
\V X
\\
s
/-
^
"n
^
"
"^
\N
5
^xl
>.lO PER
CENT CL«
—
Vg
^7
A
^6
"
J
TEMPERING
WATER
—
Sand-clay mixtures containing kaolinite
Fig. 4 {A).
clay showing relation of compression strength to tempering
water.
....
^—
.»
\
>
/'
\
/
?
\
—— ^
I
s
\
"
\
\k
\
\
\
\
\
N
\
y
/
/
V //
\
\
^
\
\^
\
1
.0 PC
\
\
— -^
g
\
\
^—
/
^ -^
/
'
RCE
L.r
/
1
•
/
/
B
1
—
Sand-clay mixtures containing kaolinite clay
Fig. 4 (5).
showing relation of tempering water to bulk density.
SOME CLAY-WATER PROPERTIES
12
r~
1
•|
2
^ -N;
s
y
\
a
/
-t
/^ N
—
/
I
12
i
\N
^
8
-^
/
a
^
/
N
\\
^
V
s
\
\
k
\
10
——
"^
\
\ \ \,
\.
h^
\ ^ N,
^
/
^
\
N
\\
~~~
12
PtR CENT
-^ e
~~~
V
C
LAY
A
~*
TEMPtOlNC WATES
Fig.
— Sand-clay
{A).
5
showing relation
of
mixtures containing illite clay
compression strength to tempering water.
y
N
-
\
-
^
I
?
\
-
\
5
t
\
X -^
\ /
/y
N
N
\
s
s
i
N
<n
>
\
\
y
s
s
\
\
N,
\
ise
^" ^
'**
—
y"°
yy
y yy
y
b
y'
—
e
p B CE NT C LAT
y y
\
\
N
i
y
\
^i»
y
y
y
\
yy y
y
y
yy
\y
U
:-
y
y y^ V
*
y
yy
<:
B
TtMPOlNC
— Sand-clay
mixtures containing illite
showing relation ot tempering water to bulk density.
Fig.
5
(/?).
clay
OF CERTAiy CL.IY MIXKRJLS
Water Con ient in Percentage DR^
Weight of Ci.av at Maximum Green
Compression Strength and Minimum Bulk
Table
water than
III.
(100°C.)
Density
Illitc
Clay
minimum amount, exWith
little power.
below this minimum
very
water decreasing
amount, the power necessary to extrude increases rapidl\ to the point where extrusion
Kaolinite clay
clay
a certain
requires
trusion
13
in
aand-clay
mixtures {%)
Max. green
compression
Mill.
hulk
density
strength
Max. green
compression
In other words, there
impossible.
is
Min.
bulk
density
strength
from
the transition
10
12
24
23
22
15
22
8
32
29
22
22
42
40
sible extrusion.
26
23
33
41
compression
eas\-
An
extrusion to impos-
examination of Table
maximum
minimum
and Fig. 6 shows that
III
and
strength
density develop for kaolinite and
would seem
that
it
The
tance in controlling other plastic properties
machine
ago,
of the relation
water
between the power
J
is
amount
the
of
rigidity
present,
is
extrusion becomes easy.
and their water content. In Fig. 6, curves
showing some of the results of this work are
Curve
is
no more
is
increased above this point so that
is
water with incomplete
necessary to extrude various kinds of clay
presented.
When
by the clay minerals.
extrusion
laboratory
small
curves.
conclusion seems warranted therefore
water than that which will be fixed rigidly
was
study^
careful
a
clays
the critical
about impossible as long as there
data and discussion are offered
Some years
made on a
is
bulk
illite
extrusion
the
in
green
that in the extrusion of clays, extrusion
In this connection, the following
of cla3S.
range
transition
should also be of impor-
it
moisture range that
the
in
ing strength of clays in molding sands,
a
is
very narrow moisture content that marks
Further,
that
gest
for a kaolinite clay,
and C for clays composed of both kaolinand illite, and D, E, and Fj for clays
composed entirely of illite. The outstand-
it
would seem
the
presence
justifiable to sug-
water
of
with
a
B
definite configuration
ite
beginning of the transition of such water
•»R.
made
to
liquid
more
dominant,
Grim and R. A. Rowland, unpublished
studies
properties
in laboratories of the Illinois State Geological
Survey,
ing feature of the curves
E.
Urbana,
is
that with
Air-Set Strength of
IV.
of
important,
underlying
clays
in
first
perhaps
the
general.
plastic
The
fore-
quantitative measure
Rammed Sand-Clay Mixtures
Compression strength determined the following periods
Green co mpression
are
factors
going data give a
111.
Table
water
and the point of the
)f
time after ramming
(lb., sc
.
in.)
ietermined
immedia tely
ramming
(lb.
after
15 min.
sq. in.)
3hr.
Ihr.
30 min.
1
i
Strength
Moisture
Strength
Moisture
Moisture
Moisture
Strength
31.5
9.5
3.82
5.1
51.0
52.5
2.45
3.95
21.8
13.5
2.55
3.7
30
40.0
1.50
1.95
20.4
17.0
2.9
3.95
32.3
33.3
2.05
2.70
15.8
11.3
2.3
3.70
27.6
22.8
1.70
2.9
Strength
Moisture
Strength
1
1
Halloysite clay (12
7.0
3.0
4.75
5.95
14.9
4.0
4.45
5.7
7.6
4.0
3.8
5.2
13.2
5.5
3.35
4.75
8.5
5.05
4.2
5.4
12.2
8.5
3.65
4.85
7.75
5.87
3.2
4.6
"^c
4.3
5.4
20.8
5.2
Kaolinite clay
(lO'^c
clay (12'^
c
clay mixture)
15.4
11.6
Montmorillonite clay
9.90
7.0
2.85
4.3
11.0
8.8
mixture)
2.95
4.40
17.2
8.0
Illite
clay mixtur e)
3.37
4.47
(6'^c
mixtu
2.66
4.0
e)
SOME CLAY-WATER PROPERTIES
14
1
}2
ill
/
/
/
z
y
/
%
/ //
/// //
O
1
a.
an/\
/
a/
7
/ 1 1
y r P
/ ^
/
y y "^ 9y
/
-
/ /
>
/
X
UJ
/
L
1
MOISTURE
1-c ii^
IN
PER CENT DRY
WEIGHT OF CLAY
10*)
(l
—
Curves showing relation of tempering water in
Fig. 6.
clays and the power necessary to extrude clays through an
auger machine.
of the transition point in the physical state
water adsorbed by
of the
clays.
all
Illite
down
in Clay- Water
Relations
and
various
classes
of
cla>s
of
mixtures
sand and halloysite clay or kaolinite
of
cla>
are allowed to stand in air for short periods
of time
there
is
a gradual
increase in the
bonding strength of the clay without much
water (air-set strength). As shown
in Table IV, sands bonded with montmorillonite clays and illite clays show no appreciable gain in strength without an accom-
loss of
panying
loss of
water.
The explanation for air-set strength
seems to be that a certain amount of time
is required for the water to penetrate some
of the basal
a complete
ately
Montmorillonite-clay-sands show
development of strength immediair-set strength because water
without
penetration of water
as
a
consequence
there
no
is
air-set
The
tain
air-set
property shows that for cer-
clay minerals there
amount
is
an appreciable
of time required for water to pene-
trate to avaihible basal plane surfaces
become
to
fixed.
Under
and
similar conditions
for other clay minerals, the penetration
almost instantaneous, and for
there
is
fore, a
no penetration.
still
There
is,
there-
time factor that must be considered
in measuring the plastic properties
composed of certain clay minerals.
V.
is
others
of clays
Applications of Suggested ClayWater Relationships
plane surfaces of the cells of
halloysite and kaolinite and to assume fixed
Immediately after mixing halloypositions.
site-clay-sands with water they have a "wet"
feel which disappears within a short time
(1 hour ±) without an accompanying loss
of water.
little
strength.
have shown that
when rammed specimens
is
individual basal surfaces in such clays,
to
Investigations of the bonding strength of
does not break
into individual cells in the presence of
water and there
Time Factor
IV.
available surfaces
penetrates at once to
of montmorillonite.
The
herein
clay-water characteristics suggested
seem
to
have wide applications
in
explaining the origin and geologic history
as well as the properties of clay materials.
Thus, they should help to understand the
processes of diagenesis and the difference in
the texture between many sediments composed of illite and those composed of kaolin-
OF CERTAIN CLAY MINERALS
;
The
large scale in sediments that are largely un-
Each type
a
and somewhere below the amount
where Huid water is abundant. The difficulty in removing water during drying
dition
water than for
In the
in
soil
field
fluid
for
mechanics,
the
may
find an explanation.
soils
Further,
it
cla\
the
reaction
with water
is
not
may
combe a
considerable time lag after mixing the clay
and water before certain
plastic or
bonding
properties develop.
s
The
would
foregoing clay-water characteristics
sented herein should explain some of
neering, and science.
soils
water,
stabilize
also exert an influ-
pleted immediately, so that there
seem
in
to
ability
seem that the clay-water relationship prechanges taking place
marked by
In the clay minerals halloysite and kaolin-
puzzling
and
is
of clay mineral seems to have
characteristic
ite,
absence of variations of water content with
depth encountered in certain
water
liquid
ence.
oriented
particularl)
hitherto
to
and the exchangeable ions
water.
of engineering,
point of the
great changes in such properties.
bly corresponds to the water content in ex-
greater
water
rigid
cess of that held in a completely rigid con-
much
dom-
beginning of the transition of completely-
range of water
contents yielding plastic clay bodies proba-
rigid
The
plastic properties of clays.
field of ceramics, the
be
water held on the sur-
inant factor determining the bonding and
consolidated.
to
rigidity of the
faces of the clay minerals seems to be a
the structures that sometimes develop on a
appears
Summary
VI.
sediments composed of the former clay
ite
mineral tend to have a laminated texture.
They would enter into an understanding of
In the
15
the
to
have applications
in industry, engi-
Brief illustrations of
such applications are given for the fields of
under super-
geology, ceramics, and
imposed load.
Survev
Report of Investigations No. 103
Illinois State Geological
1945
soil
mechanics.