| Abstract: | The clay minerals, kaolin and montmorillonite, were compacted at different pressures up to 300 MPa. The textural characteristics (pore radius, surface area and porosity) of the clay minerals were measured after compaction and related to the particle size and the cation exchange capacity of these clays. Kaolins and montmorillonites with and without compaction were characterized by mercury intrusion using a porosimeter within the range 0.1 MPa to 200 MPa. A negative linear correlation was obtained between the mean pore radius of compacted clays and the cation exchange capacity. A larger percentage of fine particles originated compacts with small pore sizes. The pore radius and the porosity of the clay minerals diminished with increasing compaction pressure, whereas the surface area increased. |
