Clay Flocs Research Articles

Clay minerals in clay-water system as viewed by freeze etching

Abstract Most electron microscopic studies reported so far are on individual clay particles prepared by drying drops of clay suspensions. The few studies reported about the outer surface structure of clay floccules have been done using scanning electron microscopes on freeze dried samples (1). In the investigation of the internal structure of clay specimens a cross section of clay has to be observed in a solid medium. So far resin media have been used for embedding clay. Using resinous media requires dehydration of the clay prior to embedding. No work has been reported on the internal surface structure of clay arrangements in aqueous media.

THE FABRIC OF SHALE—AN ELECTRON‐MICROSCOPE STUDY

SummaryScanning and transmission electron micrographs of various shales establish the close correlation between clay‐flake orientation and fissility. The shales with the best fissility have the highest degree of preferred orientation. Randomness of clay flakes prevails in non‐fissile claystones. The results suggest that the fabric of shales may result either from the deposition of dispersed clay or by the collapse of clay floccules after deposition.