13. Thixotropy of Kaolin

13. Thixotropy of Kaolin

Thixotropy refers to the mud which has been thickened into gel and no longer flows, and becomes a fluid after being stressed, and then gradually thickened into original shape after static. Thickening coefficient is used to express its size, and outflow viscometer and capillary viscometer are used to measure it.

Viscosity and thixotropy are related to mineral composition, particle size and cationic type in mud. Generally, montmorillonite is rich in content, fine in particle size, and exchangeable cations are dominated by sodium. Its viscosity and thickening coefficient are high. Therefore, the methods of adding plasticity clay and improving fineness are commonly used to improve its viscosity and thixotropy, and to reduce it by adding diluted electrolyte and water.