The elastic properties of sodium montmorillonite suspensions

Shear wave rigidity moduliG have been determined using a shear wave propagation technique for sodium montmorillonite suspensions. Measurements were made as a function of time at various values of pH, NaCl concentration (C) and solids concentration and the data used to estimateG_e the value of the modulus att=. The dependency ofG_e on pH,C and solids concentration is interpreted in terms of the mode of interaction between particles and the associated volume filling structure. The results suggest that whether a coagulated or dispersive structure develops in these suspensions depends not only on pH andC but also on the degree of delamination of the clay.