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X-Ray Studies of Crystalline Swelling in Montmorillonites¹

ABSTRACT

Swelling properties of several montmorillonites (Li-, Na-, or Ca-saturated) in water systems were studied using low-angle X-ray diffraction. All Li-montmorillonites expanded linearly with water contents greater than 35%. Sodium-hectorite also exhibited similar expansion. Sodium-saturated Otay and Wyoming bentonites and nontronite, however, showed step-wise expansion to about 110% water, and linear expansion at higher water contents. All calcium montmorillonites expanded in a step-wise manner to a maximum spacing of about 20Å. The experimental techniques also were applied to the swelling properties of soil clays known to be high in montmorillonite. Results suggest that the poor crystallinity of soil montmorillonites is much more apparent at high water contents.

¹ A contribution from the Agronomy Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Va. Presented before Div. S-2, Soil Sci. Soc. Am., Nov. 21, 1963 at Denver, Colo.

² Graduate Assistant and Associate Professor in Agronomy.

Received for publication April 24, 1964. Accepted for publication August 6, 1964.