Stabilization of swelling clays by Mg(OH) 2. Factors affecting hydroxy-Mg-interlayering in swelling clays

Abstract

The damage caused to structures and other human endeavours, on or in the ground, by swelling clay soils is considered as a natural hazard. In order to mitigate this hazard an attempt was made to stabilize the swelling clay mineral structure by the addition of Mg(OH) 2. This will turn the swelling minerals, like montmorillonite, into non-swelling ones, e.g., chloride. Accordingly, the various factors affecting the precipitation-adsorption of the Mg-hydroxide by clays, was investigated, and the conditions giving the best results were established. The factors examined were: the base used as precipitant (NH 4OH and NaOH); the preparation of the precipitate, inside or outside the clay suspension; the sequence and the duration of the reagents addition; the OH/Mg ratio; the time of clay-chemical contact; and the drying time and temperature. The method, was applied to different clay minerals (swelling and non-swelling). The material produced after the Mg-hydroxide precipitation was examined by the methylene blue dye adsorption test, XRD, DTA and DTGA methods; the results were treated statistically by factorial analysis. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the factors affecting the Mg-hydroxide adsorption by clays are: the base used as a precipitant, the preparation of the hydroxide directly inside or outside the clay suspension, the drying temperature, and the rate of titration of the reagents. Therefore, the best conditions for the laboratory preparation of hydroxy-Mg-interlayers are a dilute (1–2%) and well-dispersed clay suspension, pH between 10–12; some 12 meq Mg 2+, as Mg-salt (e.g., MgCl 2) per gram of clay, added before the base and followed by the dropwise titration of 1–2 N NaOH solution into the clay suspension, to give a molar ratio OH/Mg of about 1.5; vigorous agitation of the suspension during titration of the reagents; centrifugation and decantation of the supernatant liquid, and drying the product at about 250°C. Satisfactory results are also obtained with the fast titration of the base and drying at 105°C to complete dryness.